Ross Junkin, Public Works Maintenance Manager, briefed the council on the city's winter operations plan and recent lessons learned.

Key points: the city has 20 plow operators (day and night shifts), is shifting from a four-zone to a five-zone operating model to improve coverage, and is stockpiling salt and magnesium chloride for treatment. Junkin said average fleet age has improved and that one fleet mechanic position is currently open, which constrains maintenance capacity.

Junkin described common winter complaints (mailboxes, basketball hoops that encroach onto the street, and roundabouts that take longer to clear) and outreach the department will use, including social media, a "paint a plow" community-art program and route information for residents. "If anybody would like a plow ride, you're more than welcome," Junkin said, inviting public familiarization with operations.

The presentation highlighted training efforts and noted plow gates reduce berms but can slow response times; council thanked staff for preparedness and invited continued outreach.