Board approves one-season snow contract for high-priority Park & Rec routes at about $45,000
November 06, 2025 | Waukesha City, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
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Staff described the pilot as a first-time program intended to free up Park & Rec staff with commercial drivers licenses to operate city street plows and emphasized the contract focuses on high-priority routes only. The low bid, staff said, was a lump-sum price to cover any single snowfall event over a half-inch; the contractor provided hourly rates for additional work such as ice events.
Board members raised performance and monitoring concerns. One member asked how the city would verify work and avoid paying for missed service; staff said an engineering staff member will manage the contract and Park & Rec supervisors will monitor contractor performance. A board member who regularly contracts for similar services said low bids can be achieved by lower labor costs and cautioned the city to ensure service levels meet the RFP schedule.
Scope and timing: staff said the contract requires sidewalks and parking lots to be cleared by specified times (some before 7 a.m.) and requires multiple passes during extended events; during major storms roads must be cleared at intervals not exceeding three hours, per the RFP language staff summarized.
Cost and logistics: staff said the contractor will use its own equipment and the city will provide salt; staff noted the contract covers only high-priority Park & Rec areas, not low-priority Park & Rec routes or alleys. Staff recommended a one-year/one-season engagement and said they would report back after the season.
Action and vote: a motion to approve the item carried. The transcript records ayes from Cassens, Kevin Veil, Piper and Peyton and the motion carried.
What remains unreported: the executed contract details, performance metrics and any required proof-of-service methods (GPS, photos, GIS checks) were not specified in the meeting record; staff said they will monitor and report after the season.
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