Politics & Government

Lack of Snow Has Saved City Money

St. Louis Park plow drivers have not gone out nearly as often as last year.

The cost of snowplowing in St. Louis Park is down 88 percent this winter, as mild conditions have drastically reduced the workload.

Last year's record-setting winter saw the city rack up a plowing bill of nearly $370,000 between Nov. 13, 2010—the date of the season's first snowfall—and Jan. 6, 2011. This season, that number is down to about $44,000. Crews have only been sent out twice this winter, and departmental overtime hours are down from 788 to 133—a savings of roughly $24,000 alone.

“We’re not putting down much salt. We’re hardly paying any overtime," said Mark Hanson, the operations superintendent in the city's public works department.

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Some drivers count on overtime pay as a main part of their salaries, said plow driver Mike Okey, but he said he isn't missing the extra work.

"There was a stretch last year where we came in seven straight weekends," Okey said. "Me personally, I put in my 40 hours—I want my weekend. I want my time off. The less snow we have now, the sooner I’ll be golfing.”

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Without having many opportunities to plow, drivers are finding other duties, such as trimming boulevard trees and helping the mechanics catch up on their work back in the shop.

“Like anything else, there’s a backlog of stuff you’re going to do right away if you have time, and there’s stuff you’d love to do that’s relatively low priority," Hanson said.

While the fill-in work might seem less important, it does have its benefits. Trimming the boulevard trees, for example, not only makes city streets look better, it also will keep branches from sticking out and potentially damaging plows when they do come by. Okey said crews have also had time to go out and sand down the edges on manhole covers, which also tend to damage plows.

"There’s always something to do," Okey said.

While the plow drivers are staying busy, Hanson said a little snow wouldn't hurt.

“Honestly, I think the guys like to plow. It’s something they take pride in, and we’re known for doing well," Hanson said. “Some snow is nice, because they like to strut their stuff, so to speak."

If and when the snow comes this year, St. Louis Park plow drivers will be prepared. After attaching the proper equipment onto the trucks, Okey said the entire fleet could be ready to hit the roads within an hour and not miss a beat.

“It sounds stupid, it’s cliche, but it’s like riding a bike," Okey said. "You do it so many times, it’s second nature.”

**

LESS SNOW MEANS LOWER COSTS

Snowfall total Cost to city 2010-11 45.3"* $369,487** 2011-12 10.3"* $43,934**

*= Courtesy Weather Underground. Measured at Twin Cities International Airport from season's first snowfall through Jan. 10.

**=Total from season's first snowfall through Jan. 6


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