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09.d PW - Staff Report Staff Report Date of Meeting: 3/21/2023 For: Honorable Mayor and Council From: Charles Fischer – Director of Public Works Subject: PW - Staff Report Roads/ROW Public Works staff have continued snow removal from m ultiple events in the last month. Between events staff have been pushing back snow banks along roads, dead ends, and cul de sacs. Most recently, staff utilized the Grader to remove 4-5” of ice and snow pack on Pilar Ave. The build up of this amount of ice was due to not only the record amount of snow but the three rain events throughout the winter season. With the continued freeze thaw during the winter months potholes have begun to develop more rapidly as we move into Spring. Staff will begin pothole repair when conditions are favorable for the hot mix and when hot mix becomes available. Hot mix plants are still closed at this time due to the continued cold weather. Typically, the first plant to open in April is either in St. Paul or Maplewood. Long travel time between loads reduces productivity and efficiently filling potholes in the Spring. The local Scandia plant usually opens in mid to late May and repairs on local roads will ramp up at that time. Public Works has already started monitoring road conditions and have determined many areas that will require cut outs instead of a simple patching. Some areas will be temporarily patched until a complete repair can be made. Parks A brief update on the playground project includes the confirmed delivery time for the equipment. The contractor contacted Public Works indicating that the playground equipment is to be delivered in early May and to begin to be installed in mid to late May. Weather and ground conditions will play a major factor if the construction of the playground will begin at that time. Fortunately, with the concrete work completed final restoration of the area surrounding the playground can begin once all heavy materials have been carried into the site. With limited frost below the snow pack, it is hopeful the ground will stabilize early once the snow has melted. Spring rains will then be monitored closely to determine when to begin the next stages of construction. Sewer After a complete month of reporting flows in the A/E system, following the valve repair, average daily flow has indicated the system is operating at very manageable rates. Flow rates will be monitored closely during the Spring snow melt to determine if I/I remains to be a major issue in the system. Last year, the potential I/I in the system was much less than in years past and may be contributed to the low amount of snow pack from the winter season. This year will be a great test of the system with the high amount of snow that still remains melt. Equipment: The record snow amounts this year and the amount of time the City plows have been on the road has taken a toll on the plow equipment. Staff have been completing vehicle inspections before and after use and repairing any damage or replacing wear parts when required. Although thoroughly inspected and repairs completed between snow events two wing plows have failed while plowing. Due to the extreme conditions of heavy wet snow the frame mount of one wing plow separated from the frame and is now under repair at a local service shop. The other wing plow lost the pivot pin and required staff to completely remove the wing plow in the field and take the truck out of service for the remainder of the day. Currently, Public Works is operating with two trucks as an alternative of the three which are deployed in normal operation. Repair cost for parts and labor this winter season are higher in years past. Street Lights: St. Paul Utilities have repaired the street lights along Olinda south of Oakhill. One street light post was replaced in the process and normal operation of the system has continued. Buildings The roof of the Community Center began leaking in early March, but subsided rapidly within a day. After more snow and warm temperatures, the roof began leaking again at a much higher volume. Ice removal was necessary and Public Works contacted local contractors to complete the work removin g the ice dams with special stem equipment, which is safe on the asphalt shingle roof. The leaking has been dramatically reduced but a small amount of water is still seeping in and further investigation for damage and potential repair is required. Plastic Bag Recycling Public Works has continued the plastic bag recycling program which was started by the Scandia Marine Lions last year. Public Works is managing the storage and weighing of the material, while a local volunteer has offered to collect the bulk bags and deliver them to a drop off center. So far a fair amount of plastic material has been collected and our first drop off will happen soon. The program is through Nex Trex with the goal of collecting 500 lbs. of plastic material over the coarse of six months. The Cenex Station and Post Office have offered to collect material and a third drop off location at City Hall. A final report will be made available in June or July after completion of the collection.