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Public Works director outlines snow response after staffing gaps; city asks residents to help
Summary
Public Works Director Chuck Soules briefed the Smithville Board of Aldermen on the city's winter-storm response: crews used parks and utility staff to cover vacancies, began salting at 6 a.m., started plowing about 10 a.m., and worked until roughly 7:30 p.m. Officials urged residents to move vehicles and trash cans to aid plowing.
Public Works Director Chuck Soules told the Smithville Board of Aldermen on Dec. 2 that the city's response to the recent winter storm required cross-departmental staffing because of position vacancies. He said crews began salting at about 6:00 a.m. and started plowing around 10:00 a.m., worked until roughly 7:30 p.m., and prioritized major roads, school routes and collectors before neighborhood streets.
Soules said pre-treatment was not possible because rain over the weekend would have washed it away, and he emphasized that salt is ineffective below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, so timing and placement are critical. Crews encountered obstacles such as parked cars, mailboxes and trash cans, and the city temporarily deployed Parks Department employees and utility staff to assist with plowing and driving duties.
City Administrator Cynthia Wagner said staff held a debrief the next day to review operations, noting the presence of three new drivers and the need to refine route efficiency, improve clearing of cul-de-sacs and strengthen mutual assistance between crews. Wagner said recruitment is ongoing: a conditional offer has been accepted for a finance analyst, interviews are underway for park and street maintenance roles, GIS/IT tech interviews are being scheduled, and police recruitment continues with a recent recruit sworn in.
Wagner and Soules asked residents to move vehicles and trash cans from streets when possible to allow plow trucks to operate curb-to-curb without damaging property. Soules noted the city maintains about 110 miles of roadway, so it takes time for crews to reach all streets.
Wagner also reported that the Citizen Satisfaction Survey has received 396 responses to date and reminded residents the survey will close next Wednesday. She listed upcoming City Hall holiday closures (Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1-2) and noted several 2026 Board meetings will be canceled because of Missouri Municipal League conferences and Election Day scheduling.
The board did not take formal action on the report; staff said they will implement route-efficiency changes identified in the debrief and continue recruitment.
