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<br />I 'ii ,..'""~ <br /> ;'-; ;J,:~,..<1I! <br /> i' )_).\ W~ <br /> , 11 <br /> !!_~~-iq <br />I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS <br />t' MEMORANDUM <br /> DATE: July 17, 1997 <br />I TO: Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator <br /> (] / fJ <br />I FROM: <br /> Cindy S. Walsh, Parks and Recreation Director 5> <br /> SUBJECT: Snow plowing Trails and Sidewalks <br />I Background <br />I As our trail system expands, I continue to receive requests to clear the trails and sidewalks during <br /> the winter. This issue has been discussed since 1994 by the Public Works and Safety and Parks <br /> and Recreation Committees and staff. In the past, it appears that the cost of purchasing <br />I appropriate equipment was the main reason for not clearing the trails and walks. <br /> Survev of Trail Snow olowin2: Procedures in Other Cities <br />I I surveyed 23 cities in an effort to obtain information regarding the snow plowing and winter <br /> maintenance of trails and sidewalks. Of the 21 cities that responded, all of them plow the trails <br /> and/or sidewalks to some extent. Some results of the survey are as follows: <br />.. · Most of the cities with a lot of miles of trails have a set policy which prioritizes the clearing of <br /> areas. <br /> · The majority of cities use either the Trackless tractor MT (a specialize trail clearing vehicle) or <br />I a bobcat/skid steer with a plow or snow blower. <br /> · 11 plow the trails and walks the next scheduled work day, 9 cities clear the day after it snows, <br /> and one city clears within 24 hours even if it requires overtime pay. <br />I " <br /> Eauioment Ootions and Cost <br />I If the City decides to provide winter maintenance on the trails and walks, there are four options <br /> for purchasing equipment or attachments for existing equipment. <br />I Purchase of new equipment Cost <br /> 1. Trackless MT $60,000 <br /> 2. Used Trackless MT $20,000-$25,000 <br />I Attachments for existing equipment (skid steer) <br /> 3. Utility Snow Blade(plow) $2,500 <br />I 4. Snow Blower $7,000- $8,000 <br /> The trackless MT would do the best job in the shortest time; however, with the limited trail <br />I system that we have, it is difficult to justifY an expenditure of $60,000 for a new vehicle. The <br /> utility snow blade plow would work fine for trail areas that have space on both sides for snow <br />tI storage. Areas where the snow has to be directed in a certain place would be difficult with the <br />I <br />