Laserfiche WebLink
Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,October 14, 2013 <br /> Page 23 <br /> prompt damage assessment; defined debris strategy; pre-determined tree contrac- <br /> tor; and rapid mobilization. <br /> In addition to the comments of Chief Peterson, Mr. Schwartz added further obser- <br /> vations and positive general feedback from the community on the City's material <br /> processing/hauling; mutual aid; encouraging resident rapport; inter-department <br /> cooperation; and committed staff working cooperatively. Mr. Schwartz also not- <br /> ed that, after talking with Ramsey County Waste Energy, their contractor provid- <br /> ed material processing and hauling at no cost in order to have those materials <br /> available for their energy plant, saving the City $35,000 - $45,000 from original <br /> estimated. <br /> Mr. Schwartz noted that there were significant and obvious impacts to the City's <br /> regular programming, with the Public Works Department putting in over 2,500 <br /> hours and the Parks &Recreation Department over 1,600 hours. <br /> Mr. Schwartz provided an update of total storm-related costs: <br /> • Total storm costs originally estimated at$461,000 <br /> • City and private debris removal= $362,500 <br /> • Park debris removal= $94,300 <br /> • Police &Fire response= $4,200 <br /> • Total contractor costs—above those normally budgeted for= $206,344 <br /> (included in above costs) with remaining costs absorbed in normal budget <br /> In conclusion, Mr. Schwartz noted several lessons learned during this latest event <br /> that included the need to refine debris clean-up bids in future budget cycles; and <br /> provide "storm chaser" forewarning to residents about reputable contractors after <br /> such an event. Mr. Schwartz noted that related specifically to the power outage, it <br /> had become apparent to staff that the CIP needed adjustment to have more sta- <br /> tionary power at lift stations so they were not so vulnerable with future wide- <br /> spread events. <br /> Specific to the Parks & Recreation Department, Mr. Brokke noted that staff had <br /> just completed brush removal in parks due to the storm; and expressed thanks that <br /> there were no building damages, even though there were hundreds of trees lost, <br /> and resulting stump removals. Mr. Brokke noted that, for the first time in its his- <br /> tory, the Rosefest Run had to be cancelled. <br /> Mr. Brokke thanked staff for working together in the overall response, making the <br /> clean-up go really well. Mr. Brokke recognized the City's part-time Forestry <br /> Technician, who put in an additional 300 hours and provided significant help in <br /> coordinating tree status determinations, and also to having a very responsive con- <br /> tractor under contract for diseased and hazardous tree removal, with storm dam- <br /> age included in that contract. Mr. Brokke also recognized the considerable help <br /> from residents, whether individually, through the adopt-a-park program, or park <br />