09.e PW - Staff Report
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: 12/19/2023
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Charles Fischer – Director of Public Works
Subject: PW - Staff Report
Roads/ROW
Public Works has continued ROW mowing over the past month as the light snow received has not hindered
the mowing process. Taking advantage of the time now will save time and reso urces next year clearing dense
vegetation in the lower ditch line which we are only able to mow after September 1st each year.
Street sign maintenance and replacement was completed for the season with the addition of a Blind Driveway
sign on Nolan Ave N and reinstallation of signs either leaning or that had been damaged over the summer.
After approval from Council of the Right of Way Maintenance and Snow and Ice Control Policy amendments,
the changes have been made and are now recorded as City policy.
Public Works finalized the process and procedure for the warning letter and request for enforcement by the
County Sheriffs Office for depositing snow on or across a public road.
Parks
Hockey Rink Boards:
The rink board project was delayed due to concerns over the height of the eight-foot glass at each end of the
rink. The project will move forward by installing six-foot glass at each end and running the eight-foot glass
horizontal creating a four-foot height along the sides. Fortunately, the very mild weather has delayed flooding
the rink and not project related. If the glass is not complete before conditions exist for flooding, Public Works
will begin the base flooding prior to project completion.
Playground Project:
Shade tree planting was completed on December 7th, with a total of three hybrid elm and two maple trees.
The last maple planted is 30-feet tall and will provide shade this summer to the picnic area. Signs of decline of
the existing ash tree near the west curb of the playground have been observed. In the near future the ash tree
will need to be removed but the planted trees will provide the shade after removal.
Sewer
Public Works has continued working with a contractor to provide costs in regards to inspecting for I/I within
the Bliss and A/E systems. Due to the scale and scope of work City staff would not be able to complete this
task and continue serving all other areas of the City. The potential project will consist of inspecting all of the
lines coming out of the home to the septic tank for cracks or breaks which allow I/I. We hope to have a better
projected cost soon to apply to the sewer CIP schedule.
Winter Staffing
Public Works is still in need of a On Call Plow Operator to clear snow from parking lots, cul de sacs, and dead
ends. The City will continue to advertise until the position is filled. All other positions have been filled.
Snow and Ice Control – Mailboxes
Public Work has drafted a brochure in regards to the reporting of mailbox damage during snow plowing
operation. The brochure highlights what type of damage is noted during inspection and who is responsible for
the corrective actions. Also included in the brochure are diagrams representing proper mailbox placement and
how to avoid damage from snow coming off of a plow blade. Public Works contact information is provided if
there are any questions, the resident may have, after receiving the brochure. The brochure will only go out to
those who have reported mailbox damage or if staff observes damage to a mailbox during plowing operation.
* Brochure is attached to this report
See Inside for
important
information
regarding your
mailbox.
City of Scandia Public Works
651-433-5223
Snow and ice control operations
and right-of-way maintenance can
cause property damage even when
care is taken while operating
equipment. As a property owner
you can take steps to reduce the
possibility of damage to the mailbox
within the right-of-way. By installing
or maintaining your mailbox to
postal code standards your mailbox
will have a better chance
withstanding the snow coming off
the end of a plow.
If damage occurs to discharge or
snow storage, the City will not be
responsible for damage.
Mail boxes installed and maintained
properly that are damaged as a
result of direct contact by City
equipment will be repaired or
replaced.
Mailbox Damage
City of Scandia
Snow and Ice Control
Right of Way
Maintenance
Information
*Mailbox
Diagrams courtesy of other
sources
_____________
has been inspected by City staff and
the following has been determined.
□Damage was a result of direct
contact from City equipment.
City staff will repair or replace
the mailbox.
□Damage was not the result of
direct contact from City
equipment to a properly
installed mailbox. You are
responsible for repair.
Reason(s) your mailbox will not be
repaired or replaced by City staff:
□Snow coming off of the plow
blade or the snow bank shifting
was the cause of the damage.
□Installation of the mailbox was
not to postal code standards;
either too low or too close to
the road edge or surface.
□Deteriorated post and/or
mailbox condition made it
unable to bear the force of the
snow deflecting from the blade
or shifting of the snow bank.
□Materials used in the
construction of the mailbox
were in adequate.
The mailbox at the
address of: