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Public works reports leaf and snow response figures; council asks for improved training and clearer communication
Summary
University City public works director reported collection of 14,082 cubic yards of leaves this season and use of 306 tons of salt during the recent storm; council members pressed for staff training, a published zone map and clearer communication with residents about priorities.
University City — Director Darren Girdler reported to the City Council on Jan. 13 that the city's leaf collection program yielded 14,082 cubic yards this season, down from about 18,000 the prior year, and that the city used 306 tons of salt (reported as 612,000 pounds) during the most recent snow-and-ice event.
Girdler said the leaf program is a three-year contract and staff will revert to strict district scheduling next season to reduce confusion. On snow removal he described University City's system in lane miles and said crews covered 6,247 lane miles of plowing during the event and logged about 700 man-hours through Jan. 5. He explained the city treated salt with calcium chloride liquid (“we wet the salt so that it will react better”) and that packed snow can limit penetration of salt to pavement.
Girdler said the city had exhausted its salt supply during the event and ordered 280 tons from a cooperative; a small delivery arrived later. He also said the city plans to move back to a 10‑zone priority map (for example, higher priority for school and bus routes) and will publish the zone map online.
Council members pressed for better training and clearer resident communication. Council member Smotherson asked how the snow-removal policy is directed to field crews; Girdler acknowledged a need for staff training and said the goal in the event was to get at least one pass down each street then return to push corners and clear to curbs. Smotherson said streets that were clear of parked cars received only a “little pass” in some areas, and he urged adherence to the policy where feasible.
Council member Clay called for stronger communication about priorities, bus routes and timing, and suggested using the city website and social media so residents know when crews will be working their district. Council member Fuller and others complimented crews for fast responses to reported trouble spots while noting the difficulty of packed ice conditions.
Girdler provided additional specifics: the city used an average of 90.78 pounds of salt per lane mile, well under the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) allowance of 400 pounds per lane mile; the city's average salt cost was roughly $82–$83 per ton in his remarks; and new trucks are being outfitted with plows, salt boxes and brine tanks to improve pretreatment capability.
Council directed staff to improve training, publish the storm-priority zone map online and coordinate priority designations with partners such as school transportation officials where appropriate.
