Review City of Ramsey Snowplowing Policy and possible cost reductions

With several questions being raised this season about snowplowing and how we determine what action to take, staff felt it  would be a good time to review our policy and possible changes. Snowplowing is one of the few city functions that effects almost every resident.  With such a wide ranging impact,  comes an equally wide range of expectations.  Some residents want the streets completely bare of snow and ice as soon as possible, while others are comfortable driving on hard pack for most of the winter.  It is the responsibility of the the public works department to pick a course of action that provides safe driving conditions for our residents. Snow plowing is an expensive and time consuming task for the Public Work department.  The following figures are for an "average" snowfall of 2-4 inches.  The numbers are based on the 2010 FEMA schedule of equipment rates which include fuel, parts overhead etc...and the labor rate is based on the 2012 City of Ramsey Rates and Charges schedule.  This rate is the hourly wage  multiplied by a factor of 2.3  A complete table of all the charges and rates is attached to the case, but these are the main numbers:

Cost to plow 2-4" snow fall on straight time-$12,520.08
Cost to plow 2-4" snow fall on over time-$15,570.96
Cost Differential between straight time to overtime-$3050.88

A full plowing operation requires 18 people.  We can and have done it with a couple people short of that number, but these figures are based on a crew of 18.  One of the questions raised was why doesn't the Public Works department just start plowing after it quits snowing?  If it is on a weekday it's often a question of safety and overtime. A majority of the crew has been working since 7:30 that morning.  If the snow quits in the late afternoon, now you have everyone on overtime, plus working a 16 hour day.  Safety of motorists is also a large concern.  During plowing we are required to back out on to major county and state roads.  Sunwood Dr in the COR has to be plowed against traffic to minimize damage to the streetscape due to salt. If we wait until 2 am the overtime cost is eliminated and most of the safety concerns are less.  Typically on a snowfall during the weekday, crews would plow and salt the arterial roads and prepare equipment for the following morning.

If a similar snow fall were to happen on a Saturday, a skeleton crew would come in plow and salt the main roads and the full crew would be called in on Sunday morning usually at 5am.  Traffic is less of a concern on the weekend, so we start later.  If the snow event is on a Sunday, we would try to push city wide plowing back to Monday at 2am. On the week-end and holidays you also have the task of gathering up the plow crew from their personal activities and get them scheduled to work.  Snowfalls over 2" are easy, because they are covered under our current policy.  It's the 1"- 1-1/2" snow falls that Public Works staff would like the committee's thoughts on. 

If it is the Public Works Committee and ultimately the full council’s direction to strictly follow our 2” snow fall policy there will be some cost savings and some long term maintenance issues to consider.

WEEKEND PLOWING
Option # 1 No plowing on weekends or holidays, until snow reaches 2”. All plowing would be delayed until normal work days.
Pro-cost savings-$3072.00
Con- slower response times for emergency vehicles and more hazardous driving conditions in general. Hard pack snow on all roads. Increased call outs for slippery intersections. Depending on the holiday, the time period could be as long as 4 days. Action would require increased application of salt and scraping to regain bare pavement. Increase of resident complaints.

Option # 2 Plow and salt arterial routes only on 2” snowfalls on week-ends and holidays and delay full scale plowing until normal work days.
Pro- Arterial roads will be cleared between county and state roads. Additionally fire stations would be plowed for emergency responders.
Con-Overtime Cost-$2955.00 for 5 plow trucks with salt to plow arterial roads and a pickup plow to clear fire stations and the parking ramp.
Hard pack snow on residential roads. Increased call outs for slippery intersections. Action would require increased application of salt and scraping to regain bare pavement. Increase of resident complaints.

Option # 3 Continue to allow the PW department to use their best judgment on deciding what course of action is best to improve safety and winter driving conditions for the traveling public. Decisions would be based on snow type, amount, time of year, current temperature and expected weather conditions after the snow ends and past experience.
Pro- Increased safety for the traveling public.
Con- Impact to the general fund budget for overtime. Possible cost ranges from $2955.00-$3072.00 depending on storm event and action taken

Cost Center 0312

Option # 3 Continue to allow the PW department to use their best judgment on deciding what course of action is best to improve safety and winter driving conditions for the traveling public. Decisions would be based on snow type, amount, time of year, current temperature and expected weather conditions after the snow ends and past experience.

Motion to continue plowing utilizing Option # 3.