CC_Minutes_2014_0224 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 24, 2014 Page 16 Mr. O'Connor expressed his appreciation to the City Council for their ability to provide specific items, and as other communities struggle with the balance of res- idential and commercial mixes for their tax base, thanked Roseville for their will- ingness to serve as leaders and be involved for other municipal parties. Specific to this winter in particular and connectivity in moving people, Coun- cilmember Willmus suggested one way to address that access would be for the County to more aggressively treat its roadways or plow them sooner to make them passable. However, Councilmember Willmus noted the need, in a winter like this, the need to have funds available to fund that work was needed and may need to be better anticipated; especially with ice control for roadways and/or sidewalks along major arteries running through Roseville. Mayor Roe concurred, noting the need for Ramsey County to plow before their streets were so packed down and ice developed; to get the snow removed before that. Commissioner McGuire concurred that the County arteries weren't plowed fast enough, and advised that she would bring it to the attention of the County's Public Works Department. Commissioner McGuire welcomed suggestions and feedback at any time; and thanked the City Council for their work on behalf of the citizens of Roseville. d. Discuss Winter Weather Related Public Works Issues Public Works Director Duane Schwartz brought to the attention of the City Coun- cil and public the challenges experienced over the last month or so with winter weather conditions. Mr. Schwartz advised that, to-date, the Public Works and Parks & Recreation Department had fifteen full plowing events this season, and 55 inches of snow, with a typical season averaging under ten events, and still March and April to get through. Mr. Schwartz noted that there had been an addi- tional twenty-five other snow/ice responses required, which was also far above average. Mr. Schwartz advised that the City had also used 130% of its average ice control material, and was having difficulty — along with the State and County — in pur- chasing additional materials. Mr. Schwartz advised that the State Bid contract provided a minimum of 80% and maximum of 120% average spoken for by the City for their usage, with some storage in Roseville and other storage elsewhere. Usually, Mr. Schwartz noted that in 2012/13 season, the City experienced its av- erage usage with very little carryover of materials. Given the extraordinary cir- cumstances of this season, Mr. Schwartz advised that there was a significant shortage of available supplies, with most agencies even unable to purchase addi- tional materials. Mr. Schwartz advised that the City had ordered another several hundred gallons of the beet juice mixture used for ice control, along with a host of other available products, all above and beyond normal prices and fairly expensive