Glenarden council approves immediate snow/ice-relocation work; staff to prepare spending ordinance

Council members expressed thanks for public-works crews after a winter storm and weighed a plan to rent heavy equipment to remove snow mounds that have become safety hazards. Treasurer Stewart told the council, "The snow removal budget we have budgeted $40,000. And, based on where, I think we are around $28,000 right now."

Councilman Herring proposed approving $14,000 to rent a bobcat and a dump truck and to pay personnel for relocation work immediately, with a resolution and budget amendment to follow because the contract crosses departmental budget lines. "Since we know we've got $28,000 sitting in snow removal, we can do a resolution to approve $14,000 for the bobcat and backhoe and personnel, while at the same time doing a budget amendment," he said.

Several council members raised process questions about which budget line would be charged and whether an emergency ordinance was required to move capital-improvement funds into public-works snow removal. Treasurer Stewart recommended a budget amendment and agreed to review open invoices and report back; he said he would coordinate with staff. The council gave practical consensus to begin the work while staff completes legal and budget paperwork and prepares a formal resolution for a future vote.

Council directed public works to execute the relocations under the existing contract funds and rental authorization, and directed staff to return with a resolution authorizing the $14,000 expenditure and any necessary budget amendments. The council also asked for clearer location lists for priority removal so crews can target dangerous intersections and sidewalks.