09.d Staff Report-PW
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: 1/18/2022
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Charles Fischer – Director of Public Works
Subject: Public Works Staff Report
Roads and ROW:
Public Works staff have been busy clearing snow from recent snow events and repairing plow
equipment. No major repairs have been required and staff are doing an excellent job perfoming
routine maintenance and cleaning plow equipment. The two seasonal plow drivers have been
available for each significant snow event and have also performed well in the field. Due to staff
availability the Public Works Director has filled in for one of the mainline plow routes during
each snow event. The issue has now been resolved and all Full-Time staff will be available for
each of their respective mainline plow routes. To date Public Works has only responded to two
plowing errors reported from residents which were related to a cul-de-sac and bus turnaround.
We have received multiple 1” to 3” snow events with dramatic drops in temperature causing
difficulty removing compacted snow on the roads surface. The recent warm weather improved
roads with compacted snow.
Minor fallen trees in the ROW have been cleared as well and we have not experienced any
major downed trees so far this winter season. Our brush pile from ROW clearing was burned on
Wednesday January 12th making room for more ROW brush clearing for later winter and early
spring.
A private well installation on Lamar Ave caused sediment issues with a neighboring private well.
McCollough Well Drilling purged the neighboring well over the weekend of January 7th – 9th.
With the water running continuously, for roughly 72 hours, through the backyard and down
into the ditch to Langley. All of this water caused erosion in private property and flooded the
ditch on Langley. Along with flooding the ditch, the eroded sediment also filled the ditch and
ran onto the road surface. McCollough sent out two hydro excavators to remove the sediment.
Further repair to the ditch will take place in the Spring when full extent of the damage can be
seen.
Sewer and Water:
Upgrades to the Bliss system approved in 2021 have not been completed as product availability
has prevented installation. The installation of the two lift station pumps and three flow
monitors will likely be completed in February according to the contractor’s anticipated delivery
of required equipment.
Parks:
The ice at Wojtowicz Ice Rink has been in great shape so far this season. Other than the 40-
degree day last week we have been able to resurface every day. Public Works staff is also
utilizing the Zamboni to flood and build smooth thin layers of ice by applying water but not
using the cutting blade. Thin coats of water are necessary for good quality ice. To much water in
one application causes air bubbles and uneven ice layers.
The City has not received any applications for a Zamboni driver this season. With an estimated
5-7 weekends left in the season, Full-Time staff have been and will continue to work on the
weekends, in the morning. The current resurfacing schedule is Monday-Friday between 7am-
10am and again between 2pm-3:15. Weekend resurfacing is completed before the opening of
the warming house. Zamboni flooding will be completed Monday – Friday after the first
resurfacing when temperature allow.
Public Works staff have installed the banners for Vinterfest and will continue to prepare for the
event each week. With the Parks general fund Public Works has purchased two firepits for the
Vinterlights event and Vinterfest. This will eliminate the need to borrow firepits from residents
and save staff time picking them up and returning them.
City Buildings:
Water heater replacement has been scheduled with Dads Plumbing for both water heaters in
the Community Center. We should see a respectable energy savings after the water heaters are
operational.
The freezer in the Community Center kitchen has been replaced with a new similar size. The old
freezer was failing to keep a consistent temperature to maintain frozen food.
New tables we put together by Public Works staff in the Council Chamber. These tables are
collapsible and on wheels for ease of use for different meeting types.
Midco Project Testing:
Connected Nation completed the testing of the recent Broadband project off of 209th and
Quality Trail. After speaking with John Determann, of Connected Nation, he mentioned the
testing went very well, Midco was helpful through the process, and that the speeds came out
very well. An official report will be sent to the City when it is complete.