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Public works readies for winter weather, parks upgrades and new roadside mower
Summary
Public works told council it is preparing for a forecasted winter event, continuing safety upgrades at Paul Powers Park and moving forward with a planned $273,904.80 purchase of a John Deere roadside boom mower.
Public works staff updated the Port Orchard City Council on Jan. 28 about winter preparedness, park improvements and the city’s planned equipment replacement.
Director Ryan told council members crews are prepositioning snow-and-ice equipment and that the city will likely activate a remote version of its emergency operations center if the weekend forecast materializes. He said the city has been using preventative brine pretreatment and that brine supply is provided through an interlocal agreement with the county; most road salt originates from the eastern part of the state (commonly sourced from outside the county), which can create supply constraints during prolonged events.
Ryan described park upgrades at Paul Powers Park: replacement of a repeatedly damaged chain-link fence with a split-rail fence, installation of fall protection (wood chips), a mounted digger toy for small children, replacement of swings that did not meet standards, and a new basketball backboard. He said work is underway and that woodchips and other safety surfacing will be delivered.
Regarding equipment, Ryan explained the requested roadside mower/tractor (a John Deere boom mower) replaces a unit out of service since last fall and is designed for roadside work behind guardrails and along the road prism. The city obtained a cooperative purchase quote from Pape Machinery through Sourcewell for $273,904.80 (including taxes); staff said the unit is expected to be available for delivery in April. Ryan noted the purchase exceeds the city’s $30,000 consent threshold, which is why it was brought forward as a business item.
Ryan also announced a temporary closure of a portion of city parking Lot No. 2 overnight on Feb. 12 to receive a generator delivery from the marina; staff will coordinate notifications with downtown partners and transit.
Why it matters: the equipment purchase restores capacity for roadside vegetation management, park upgrades improve safety and usability at a neighborhood park, and weather preparations seek to limit public disruption during icy conditions.
What council members asked: members asked about whether the mower is self-propelled or tractor-pulled; Ryan described it as a self-propelled boom mower with an enclosed cab and hydraulic counterweights. Members also asked about salt/brine supply origins and whether additional neighborhood streets could be added to priority pretreatment routes; staff said capacity limits may delay route expansion until spring.
Next steps: public works will coordinate delivery and installation of equipment, continue park upgrades at Paul Powers Park and notify downtown stakeholders about the Feb. 12 parking impacts.
