Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Shared Services Snow Removal topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Salem County approves shared-services snow-removal agreement despite liability concerns
Summary
The Salem County Board approved a shared-services agreement with the Conroe County Improvement Authority to provide snow removal at FEM Plaza after debate about who should bear liability and whether the county should assume landlord responsibilities.
The Salem County Board of County Commissioners voted Feb. 4 to authorize a shared-services agreement with the Conroe County Improvement Authority for snow removal services at FEM Plaza, after commissioners debated whether the county should take on responsibility and liability for clearing a landlord-controlled plaza.
During discussion, a commissioner opposing the measure said the county already has a rental agreement with the landlord and that the landlord should be responsible for snow removal: "I kind of question why we're going into this, shared service agreement for snow removal of the family of classic. We have a rental agreement with the landlord ... It's our responsibility to produce snow removal. ... I also questioned liability that the county would be taking on," the commissioner said. The speaker also warned of increased slip-and-fall exposure on a public plaza.
Supporters and county staff described recent storm-response needs and said county facilities crews had stepped in to clear walkways to maintain public access. One official said that after the largest storm contractors could not be lined up and the county's assistance ensured pathways were cleared for residents; the county planned to bill the Conroe County Improvement Authority for time and materials.
Deputy Director Taylor, Commissioner Timmerman, Commissioner Collier and Director Lawrence voted "Yes" in the roll call recorded in the transcript; Commissioner Ranting recorded a "No." The motion passed with a majority and one recorded dissent.
The agreement was presented as a way to formalize instances when county crews must intervene to keep a large, public plaza safe and accessible after severe weather. Opponents argued the county’s facilities staff already face an undue burden and that responsibility for routine plaza maintenance rests with the landlord. The board did not amend the text on the floor; the motion passed as presented.
Next steps: staff will execute the cooperative contract as authorized and, per comments in the discussion, recover time-and-materials costs when county crews provide snow-removal services under the agreement.
