09.d Staff Report-PW
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: 3/15/2022
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Director of Public Works – Charles Fischer
Subject: Public Works Staff Report
Roads and ROW
In the last month Public Works has responded to multiple snow and ice events. Most notably
the last event (with multiple waves of rain, freezing rain and snow) Friday evening (3/4/2022)
and continued through Sunday morning (3/6/2022). Saturday morning, 3/5/2022, Public Works
cleared ice of up to ¼” from the paved roads and applied grit to the gravel roads which iced
over up to 2” thick. Travel on the gravel roads was near impossible especially in areas of grade
change or corners. After the grit was applied the gravel roadways were safe for residents and
emergency service vehicles to travel. One plow truck became stranded and towing services
were required to recover the truck. Upon inspection of the truck there was no damage to
report. A vehicle attempted to travel up the hill on 197th Street and became lodged between
the shoulder and steep incline adjacent to the road. To gain access to the homes at the bottom
of the hill Public Works applied grit to the gravel road for a tow vehicle to safely extract the
vehicle. Pilar Road, Perkins Ave and Paris Ave developed the most ice overnight and the only
way to apply grit was to travel in reverse while applying the product. This effort also made it
possible for tow vehicles to recover vehicles, which attempted to travel the road before grit
was applied, to clear the roadway for safe passage. Saturday evening and Sunday morning
forecasted 1”-3” eventually added up to 5”-6” of snow measured by Public Works staff. Public
Works was out again Sunday morning to clear the roads for safe travel. By the end of the day
Sunday most to all of the remaining compacted snow and ice had melted on paved roads while
additional grit was needed on the gravel roads upon completion of plowing. Overall, Public
Works considers limited impact to vehicle travel compared to the conditions occurred during
this weather event due to the response by Public Works staff.
Sewer and Water:
The metering devices, installed in Lift Station 4 of the Bliss system located in the drain field off
of Manning Trail, have been in operation since February 25, 2022. Recordings of the flow to the
infiltration trenches has commenced since then and will be reported on our monthly report to
the MPCA, per the requirements of the updated MPCA permit. Analysis of the recordings
between the actual flow recorded with the new meters compared to the estimated flow of
pumps run times is being studied by Public Works. In the infancy of the recordings a lower rate
of flow has been shown in the analysis. As the data has only been recorded for one week, more
time and analysis are needed for a more accurate report of the difference in flow recordings.
Public Works has set up pump inspections and pump flow testing at the main lift stations for
each sewer system for 2022. The work involves removing each pump (total of 14) to inspect
wiring, motor windings, overload protection, motor seals, change motor oil if required, impeller
condition, bearings condition, for physical damage, level sensors, operating cycle, and pump
flow. All of these items are important to maintain the operation of the pumps but also maintain
an accurate record of the what the lift station is maintaining for total flow into the system.
After all pump flows are accurately calculated further study of total flow at each system will be
evaluated more thoroughly and compared to system capacity.
Parks:
Public Works officially closed the ice rink on February 28, 2022. The ice rink season once ice was
established was successful and Public Works was able to provide a quality surface throughout
the season. The warming house was only closed twice due to frigid temperatures and a heavy
snowfall that began in the afternoon and continued into the evening hours.
Public Works has completed the DNR Grant application and included in the meeting packet is
that application with a Resolution for Council approval. Upon approval, the application will be
submitted to the DNR by Public Works. The selection process by the DNR will begin after March
31st and official notices of awards will be sent to recipients some time in July 2022. Public
Works is hopeful the City of Scandia playground project will be selected in this round of
applications.
Buildings:
In the last month the dishwasher in the kitchen has required two service calls for replacement
of the pressure relief valve, pressure tank and pressure regulator. After the replacement of
these items and setting the wash system to the proper pressure the unit has returned to
normal operation. The external items listed are vital to the safe operation of the components
located within the dishwasher and extends the life of the unit.
Equipment:
Main line plow truck 202-17 has required multiple repairs with faulty equipment in the past
month. Repairs include: replacement of sander auger motor, replacement of broken hydraulic
lines, and repairing an underbody plow mount. Due to the harsh conditions the truck faces
during plowing operation many wear parts typically need replacement, but as this truck is 4 to 5
years old, we should not be seeing as many problems as we have this winter season with most
of the repairs required. Our other main line plows which are between 7 and 11 years of age
have not received the same amount of snow equipment related repairs as 202-17. Public Works
is concerned the truck will continually require unique repairs for the remaining life cycle of the
truck. The repairs associated to this truck have not been related to the operator but to the
original build and design of the snow equipment.