#05 Discussion and action on salt storage facility proposal
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS MEMORANDUM
May 4, 2009
TO: City Council
FROM: John Whitcomb, Operations Director
SUBJECT: Proposed Salt Storage Facility
Summary
This memo examines issues related to a staff recommendation to construct a
new salt storage facility at the City Services Center versus construction at some
satellite location.
Staff Recommendation
Following Council discussion, staff recommends the City Council authorize
construction of a salt storage facility at the City Services Center.
Recommended Motion
I move to approve construction of a salt storage facility at the City Services
Center as recommended by staff.
City Manager Recommendation
No recommendation, since this issue is a continuation from last Summer.
Request
This is in response to Councilmember McDonald’s questions regarding the
recommendation to construct a new salt storage facility at the City Services
Center. Specifically, since a satellite location for the facility is not being
proposed, is it necessary to construct additional capacity at the City Services
Center.
Background
The concept of a satellite salt storage facility was just that - conceptual. At the
time, the 2008 Note Issue was presented to Council, staff had not yet evaluated
or identified a satellite location. This should have been made clearer to Council
in the information prepared for the 2008 Note Issue. However, lack of a satellite
location does not eliminate the need for additional storage capacity, and this was
also conveyed in information prepared for the 2008 Note Issue.
Satellite Location Operations at salt storage facilities are noisy and can take
place at all hours. And the facilities themselves are not aesthetically pleasing.
After a lengthy review, staff has been unable to identify a satellite location that
will garner a positive recommendation from Community Development staff
(noise; aesthetics) and that will serve an appropriate number of routes relative to
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the capacity of the proposed facility. Constructing a smaller storage facility at
one of the sites receiving tentative approval form Community Development staff
is not recommended for the reasons discussed below.
Additional Storage Capacity In an “average” winter we typically use 4,000 tons
of salt. However, during each of the last three (3) winters we have used over
6,000 tons of salt, and in the winter of 2007 – 2008 we used over 8,000 tons. At
the present time we have the capacity to store 2,900 tons of salt, or 73% of our
average usage. The requested facility would increase our storage capacity by
2,000 tons to 4,900 tons. For the winter of 2009 – 2010 we have placed an order
for 5,000 tons through the State bid.
Staff believes maximizing storage capacity remains the primary objective to
address recurring supply problems and the resulting negative influence on
operations. The City’s salt supply has frequently been disrupted by delivery
problems and by extended and/or severe winter seasons. Delivery problems
routinely occur, even during average seasons. When supply runs low, the City
has had to mix sand with salt and has also had to reduce service levels.
During the 2000/2001 season and the past two seasons, the amount of sand
mixed with salt was significant. This negatively impacts service levels in that it
takes longer for streets to clear of snow and ice (safety), and significant
additional cost is incurred to clean sand from catch basins and during spring
sweeping operations. The past two seasons, salt usage at residential
intersections was stopped at some point during the season in order to stretch
supply (safety).
Additional storage can also add flexibility when placing bids for salt. In the bid
process, a municipality must guarantee it will purchase the quantity it bids.
Therefore, when determining bid quantity, consideration must be given to the
amount of salt on-hand prior to the season, the amount that might be used during
the season and the amount of storage space available. The tendency is for the
bid quantity to be conservative (low) so that storage capacity isn’t exceeded. This
exacerbates supply problems during severe and/or extended winter seasons.
Increasing capacity adds flexibility in determining the quantity to bid and can also
provide a buffer against annual price increases.
cc: Jacob J. Winzenz, Dir. Of Administrative Services/Assistant City Manager
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