2007-09-24 Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Council Agenda Item Cover ________________________________________ MEETING DATE: September 24, 2007 AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Annual Salt Contract AGENDA SECTION: Consent CAN THIS ITEM BE RESCHEDULED? : No BACKGROUND REVIEW: During sleet, snow and/or ice storms, Public Works mobilizes city crews to ensure that public streets, bridges, and parking areas are safe for traffic. The city uses best management practices in its application of snow removal, anti-icing and de-icing strategies. Plowing is the city’s preferred method for snow removal. As a practice, when snow accumulations approach two inches, crews are dispatched to begin snow plowing operations on bridges, priority roads and finally, if required, the remaining residential streets. The City has been able to significantly reduce the amount of salt applied in snow and ice control efforts by using alternative chemicals which are more environmentally friendly. Whenever practical, calcium chloride, which is less harmful to the environment, is used as an anti-icing strategy. We also use calcium magnesium chloride (CMA) as an anti-icing agent, which is less harmful to the environment, and less corrosive to metal and concrete. The application of anti- icing materials helps prevents snow from binding to the pavement. Anti-icing strategies are not effective during sleet, rain, and extremely heavy snow storms. Therefore, the city uses a calcium chloride/rock salt mix as its de-icing strategy. The City participates in a salt coop comprised of 40 local municipalities. The City of Chesterfield receives competitive bids on behalf of the salt coop. The coop salt unit price per ton, which averages about $27.00 per ton, is normally 50 – 100 percent less than the spot market unit price which can range from $40 to $60 per ton depending on market conditions. Further, delivery of salt from the spot market is subject to significant weather delays which could potentially paralyze the city in a severe snow/ice storm. BID RESULTS: The coop unit price for rock salt is$26.43 per ton for fall delivery and $27.93 per ton for winter delivery. Two deliveries are normal and required due to the limited on-site salt storage capacity at the Public Works Facility. RECOMMENDATION: Accept the bid received from the City of Chesterfield for the salt coop unit prices. It is estimated that a total of 1000 tons is needed this year at a total cost of $27,030 (Fall total $15,858, Winter total $11,172). H-2-a September 24, 2007