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Smithville credits crews after storm; city reports 13 inches, low salt inventory
Summary
City officials described a multi-day snow response that cleared downtown drifts, kept key routes open and used about 150 tons of salt and 343 staff hours; city expects a 75-ton salt delivery later this week and opened a public comment period for a South Employment Overlay project.
Smithville city officials told the Board of Aldermen on Jan. 7 that public works, police and contracted crews worked through a multi-day winter storm that dropped roughly 13 inches of snow and temporarily closed at least one state highway.
City Administrator Cynthia summarized the response and said crews began preparations Thursday and Friday, pretreated select streets, reported for active operations around 3:00 p.m. Saturday and worked through the weekend. “This is a massive storm,” Cynthia said, and staff remained on shift until about 4:00 a.m. the day before the meeting.
The update said staff and contractor teams removed large windrows and drifts in the downtown area — work the city does not normally perform — and that the city used approximately 150 tons of salt and logged about 343 staff hours on the response. R and S Landscaping assisted in multiple neighborhoods including Harborview, Rollins Landing, Wildflower, Grayhawk, Hills of Shannon, Emerald Ridge and Ashmont, the report said. Officials also provided assistance on U.S. 169 where conditions made travel hazardous.
Cynthia told the board the department responded to “5 calls for motor assist, 4 motor vehicle crashes, and 2 traffic obstructions” during a two-day period cited in the report. She said one police officer was involved in an incident and the officer is OK; the vehicle involved is expected to be totaled and the city will submit information to the insurer. The city also temporarily closed westbound Highway 92 when conditions made it impassable.
City staff reported they are low on salt because of the volume used and have placed orders. The city expects a delivery of about 75 tons later this week and a second delivery next week, Cynthia said. She asked aldermen and departments to remain vigilant for any additional storm events and said a management team will regroup next week to identify lessons and potential priority changes for future responses.
Cynthia also corrected a line in her written report: police department vacancies are two, not 20, following recent hires. She said the public comment website for the South Employment Overlay District — part of the comprehensive plan work — will be posted to social media and remain open through Jan. 31 for community input.
The board thanked public works and public safety crews; aldermen asked about the effectiveness of brine pretreatment and whether the city uses treated salt. Public works staff said crews have used brine pretreatment in recent years and that crews report it helps break the bond of ice in certain conditions; the city currently uses rock salt and some calcium chloride rather than a treated salt mix. Officials said they will discuss equipment and material options during follow-up reviews.
Officials urged residents to leave trash carts at the curb if collection is missed; GFL, the city’s contractor, continues to revisit missed areas and is coordinating with city staff.
The city administrator’s update closed with a reminder that staff will review the response and may bring recommended changes or priority adjustments to aldermen in future meetings.
