#03 - Trail & Sidewalk Snow Removal

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and equipment. PTO & ESST slow the progress of these tasks down immensely, which often stretches some of these tasks into the third day after a snow event. Back-to-back snow events also delay the completion of many of these tasks including sidewalk snow removal. • Time frame for removal of snow on trails- What would be an acceptable time frame to complete the walkway snow removal? Adding no more than 2 miles of trails to the current sidewalk snow removal route would not add significant over time cost or challenges if the time frame of clearing them would stay consistent with our 48-hour rule to clear sidewalks after a snow event, unless they fall on weekends or holidays. • Contracting Costs- Contracting out 26 miles of City Asphalt Trail Snow Removal estimates have been discussed based on clearing 1” or more snow events. We were informed to expect roughly $28,000 to $30,000 per year as there are an average of sixteen to twenty snow falls exceeding 1”. This estimate does not include a bare pavement expectation or de-icing. • Additional Concerns- In many locations where a trail abuts residential properties, the City’s ROW or property often does not extend much more than 1-3 feet beyond the trail edge. From past experience, I have learned we do not have the legal right to deposit snow onto private property. When clearing trails in front of residential homes, a snow blower is the preferred choice of equipment as not to leave unwanted wind rows in driveways. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the potential of additional complaints regarding blocked trail access will arise if a private driveway is cleared and deposits snow on the trail after the trail was cleared. These complaints along with wind/drifting not concurrent to a snow event and sod or irrigation damage will lead to additional complaints and time to return for cleanup. FISCAL IMPACT: To clear all 26 miles of city asphalt trails • Contacted Services- $30,000 per yr estimated • Additional Trail Snow Removal Equipment- No cost to the city unless snow blower equipment is required for all trails- roughly $90,000 for a trackless Blower unit • Additional Full-Time staff- Approximately $80,000 per yr w/benefits • Seasonal staff, if available- Approximately $6,000 per year • Additional lawn repair - labor, black dirt and seed $3000 OPTIONS: • Clearly Define Trail and Sidewalks • Identify and add specific trail segments to Public Work’s snow removal route • Contract Out Snow Removal of all Asphalt Trails in 2025/2026 • Clear all Asphalt Trails with Additional Public Works Full Time Staff in 2025/2026 • Continue to allow and recommend HOA’s to clear City Asphalt Trails in their Development • Make no changes to the current sidewalk ordinance RECOMMENDATION: Motion to identify specific trails segments as main corridors that do not have sidewalks along that street to be cleared by Public Works