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Committee assigns Parks crew to downtown snow removal after single outside bid
Summary
After staff reported only one bid for downtown snow removal — roughly 20% above last year — the committee voted to assign the city Parks/Public Works crew (six park employees using skid-steer equipment) to handle downtown snow removal for 2025–26.
Brainerd City’s committee directed staff to use Parks/Public Works personnel for downtown snow removal in 2025–26 after staff received a single contractor bid that was substantially higher than last year’s cost.
Public Works Director Havergors told the committee that staff "received 1 bid for the annual contract from Tom's Backhoe" and that the proposals were "approximately 20% over last year's cost." He provided a worked example showing an eight-inch snowfall would cost $21,847 for streets and sidewalks under the contractor proposal. Council members raised concerns about the parks crew’s existing winter priorities (ice rinks) and whether they had the equipment; Havergors said downtown removal would be the first priority when crews are called in and that the park crew has skid-steer equipment and small tractors suitable for sidewalks.
Council moved to assign the Parks and Public Works crews to complete downtown snow removal for 2025–26; the motion carried. Staff will finalize staffing and equipment details and implement the program for the coming season.
