Public Works details snow‑and‑ice plan: 1,200 tons salt, brine pretreatment and staffing plan

Public Works presented the city’s winter weather preparedness plan and the snow and ice control program. Staff said preparations begin weeks before an event and include material purchases, equipment checks and operator training. For the 2025–26 season the city purchased 1,200 tons of road salt and 4,500 gallons of beet juice and mixes brine to a target salinity of 23.3% for anti‑icing.

The presenter described priorities during an event: bridges are treated first, followed by arterial and collector streets; trolley stops and sidewalks adjacent to city‑owned facilities are next. The department uses four fixed snow routes that can be run in a four‑hour window; pre‑treating all routes takes about nine hours and relies on two NIS‑equipped trucks. Staff said anti‑icing is 90% brine and 10% beet juice and can be applied up to 12 hours before a storm when pavement temperature allows.

Public Works also reported recent operational changes: LED lights were installed on all plows to improve visibility, and the city runs two shifts during events. The department has roughly 25 operators (12 hour shifts) with about 20% new to snow routes this year. For severe storms the city partners with emergency responders and may consider contractor “toolbox” agreements as a contingency to provide trained backup equipment operators.

Council members praised last year’s response and asked about contingency staffing and toolbox contracts; staff said they are at or near full staffing for this season but will consider contractor arrangements and part‑time or cross‑trained staff as needed.