Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Sarah Cole (Dep. 4:49 p.m.), Alex Jensen (Arr. 4:17 p.m.), Rich Merkouris, Greg Neitzert (Arr. 4:05 p.m.), Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl Council Members Absent: David Barranco, Pat Starr Council Chair Curt Soehl called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. South Dakota Municipal League Board of Directors: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 (Council Member Jensen) Council Vice Chair Alex Jensen stated that the Board focused primarily on legislative updates and he provided a rundown of legislation corresponding to the Council's priorities. 3. Councilor Remarks There were none. 4. Presentations A. Snow Removal 101 by Dustin Hansen, Street Operations Manager Presentation: Approximately 30 minutes followed by discussion Hansen provided an overview of the Street Division and its primary tasks of snow removal, street sweeping, overlay/slurry, pothole patching, and asphalt maintenance. The division prepares for inclement weather by monitoring updates from the National Weather Service and through a multi-agency coordination team that includes the city, counties, healthcare, school district, and the South Dakota Department of Transportation. Snow alerts are not issued every time it snows, but instead multiple factors are taken into account to determine if an alert should be issued. When issued, the division focuses on snow routes first, then moves into zones to clear City streets. The division’s goal is to plow zones 2 and 3 within 24-48 hours after a snow alert is issued. There is a great deal of communication tools involved in the issuance of a snow alert to include: a news release; use of Sioux Falls social media; the City’s website; CityLink; digital billboards; and texts and e-mails. The division’s primary goal in  issuing the alert is to get cars off the street to effectively plow streets. Vehicles parked on emergency snow routes are prioritized for ticketing and towing during a snow alert and generally, in zones 2 and 3, the Police Department begins ticketing vehicles first and then goes back through to tow. The Street Division and the Police Department work together to bring back plows after streets are cleared of vehicles. During larger-than-normal snow events, it takes some time to get contracted tow companies out. Hansen described the three snow zones and the strategies used to clear them. He explained the scope of snow removal operations, challenges, and the various treatments used on streets. An important part of the snow removal process is understanding what responsibilities property owners have. Residential and commercial property owners have 48 hours to shovel sidewalks after any snow stops – regardless of whether or not a snow alert has been issued. It's also the homeowner's responsibility to ensure mailboxes are accessible to mail carriers and to keep fire hydrants clear of snow and other obstructions for three feet in all directions. Lastly, property owners may not shovel or blow snow into the street. Hansen further explained methods the City uses to manage snow to include snow pickup which is hauled to one of four sites throughout the City. Snow Gates are used citywide during snow alerts. They are most effective at six inches of snow or less, it often leads to narrowing of streets with multiple snow events, and they decrease, but do not eliminate, snow in driveways and intersections (snow gates are not used to reduce snow around mailboxes, fire hydrants, or corners). Pothole crews work year-round to address potholes, but the number of crews vary depending on needs and weather. Winter is typically the worst for potholes with late winter/early spring being the worst. On average there have been 3,700 requests annually to fill potholes; Hanson noted that the number filled typically exceeds the number requested. He explained how potholes can be reported and the methods the City uses to fill them depending on conditions. He concluded with a reminder that storm inlets also need to be cleared to mitigate springtime flooding. Discussion followed about: the composition of the contact team and how calls are managed; longevity of cold mix versus hot mix; alternatives to salt treatments; the size of the annual pothole budget; plowing in front of cluster mailboxes; availability of road graders; clearing around fire hydrants; prioritizing snow plowing around schools; the use of data and technology to inform the public; ticketing during snow alerts; and, budgeting for snow plowing. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Adjournment Council Chair Curt Soehl adjourned the meeting at 4:58 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk