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December 3, 2010 in City
City using contractors to help clear the streets
Spokane’s decision to call in private grader operators to help clear roads adds an extra financial burden in an already cash-strapped year. But officials say the need to maintain passable streets is one of the few good reasons to dip into reserves.
The city put grader contracts out to bid this fall and is paying seven companies between $95 and $125 per hour for each of a dozen graders. That’s for use of the equipment and the staffing to operate them. The city also is using its plows and 10 of its own graders.
The plan likely will come to around $30,000 a day.
“It depends how long it takes, how long they’re out there,” said Street Director Mark Serbousek. “We’ll be running them 24 hours a day until we’re done.”
“That could be up to five days,” Serbousek added. “We’re in untested territory here. Every snowstorm is different.”
City street reserves, which benefited from a mild winter last year, should cover the costs of the recent storm, said Spokane’s Chief Financial Officer Gavin Cooley. If the winter continues on its current harsh path, the city could dip into its emergency reserve fund, which is about $15 million.
“That’s exactly why we have a contingency reserve,” Cooley said.
Thursday was the second time in three years that Mayor Mary Verner called in private companies to help clear city streets. In her three years as mayor, Verner has presided over snow removal efforts for the snowiest winter, snowiest December and snowiest November in city history.
The city began to prepare contracts with grader operators in advance after citizens complained about the city’s slow response to a storm in January 2008.
The grader contracts for winter 2010-11 are set to be approved by City Council next week. Serbousek said the city is working under those deals and he doesn’t expect complications.
In the 1990s, Spokane changed its snow removal fleet from a force of mostly graders to one with mostly truck plows. City officials say plows are faster and cheaper to operate, but in certain situations – like Thursday’s – graders work better.
Verner said keeping private grader operators on call is the most responsible option.
“For us to keep that kind of equipment and that kind of personnel on staff at the city is something that our city cannot afford.”
Layoffs at the end of the year will eliminate 14 street department positions, although only six of those are currently filled.
Serbousek said in the event of a big storm next year, the city will continue operating all its plows and graders.
“We will just be pulling additional resources from other departments,” he said.
Spokane County called in two private grader operators on Thursday under existing contracts. Two more were expected to start today, said County Commissioner Todd Mielke.
He said money for grader operations will be covered by the county’s road fund, which is funded largely by property taxes and is separate from other county funds.
Mielke warned that the weather forecaster that the county contracts with has suggested large snowfalls are possible next week.
“We are asking people to prepare,” Mielke said. “Make sure your transportation is viable to get through the weather if you need to get out and about.”
MAC faces angry crowd 
ChefGus/ John Olsen on December 03 at 6:03 a.m.
The now frozen slush ruts, if the temperature remains well below freezing will be with us for the rest of the winter… it is possible that a Chinook wind and rain will reduce it all to nothing.. but the odds are that public safety will continue to suffer… penny wise and pound foolish… if we have reserves we should have been spending on this clearing last week when the slush was still slush and not tire puncturing ice rocks… john
lewis8457 on December 03 at 7:14 a.m.
I was on a street in east Spokane yesterday that had 3 cars stuck in the middle of the street, the slush must have been 12 inches deep what a mess.
last night i had to shovel berms out of three driveways at work. Thank god i did other wise they would be frozen barriers keeping our customers out today. the plow trucks cant move it but it is OK to move it onto driveways and sidewalks where humans have to move it by hand.
Next year I will see the usual 110 increase in my property taxes for taking my life in my hands to walk to the store because my car is blocked in the driveway by a 15 foot berm.
Living in Spokane is very un-healthy i am finding out, a cop can shoot me or I can break my back moving plow debris, either way i am positive my city could care less.
misjustice on December 03 at 7:15 a.m.
“…the need to maintain passable streets is one of the few good reasons to dip into reserves.”
I’m sorry, but waiting until there is 6+ inches on the ground before even starting to remove it = NEVER catching up. Pi$$ poor planning = pi$$ poor outcome. I thought that the city learned, during the “Big Dig”, that waiting doesn’t work.
This is a mess that didn’t have to happen. Try being proactive instead of reactive…
terryalan on December 03 at 7:41 a.m.
And West Central is definitely NOT a priority in the plowing…and since the alley is blocked by a big a$$ berm I probably won’t get my garbage picked up for god knows how long…
Thanks Spokane…Love the weather, love the snow…hate the stupid municipal policies.
Feeling that one term mayor streak this city has had will continue.
Pack ‘em Verner!!
soccermomsusie on December 03 at 7:49 a.m.
OK! Private contractors are OK! Hopefully, we can get Blackwater or Halliburton. They are both good Christian companies. And when they decide to declare martial law, their plows will triumph!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
west on December 03 at 8:04 a.m.
“Mielke warned that the weather forecaster that the county contracts with has suggested large snowfalls are possible next week.”
Funny, NOAA says rain and mabey some light snow..highs in mid 30’s……
RK on December 03 at 8:06 a.m.
It’s Spokane, it snows, prepare appropriately. Seriously people, if the city of spokane spent enough money to make you all happy with their plowing you’d be taxed out of 50% of your income. Grow up and figure out ahead of time how you will deal with the inconvenience of inclimate weather, or move to AZ.
misjustice on December 03 at 9:07 a.m.
It’s hard enough to get around in a wheelchair when the roads/sidewalks are so bad. But… try getting around when you are in a wheelchair & your car gets stuck in this stuff! If you can’t move the car, you surely have a difficult time moving the wheelchair!!
Also, those that have sidewalks in front of their properties need to get off their lazy duffs & shovel/snow-blow. It is ridiculous that people have to walk in the streets because the snow is too high on the walkways. But then … . you can’t get out on the roads either because the city hasn’t plowed your local neighborhood street. Negligence on the part of the city & some people need to lose their jobs!!!!
City wants to make money………get out there and start fining those that don’t comply with the city code about sidewalk maintenance?
avocet on December 03 at 9:09 a.m.
“We’re in untested territory here. Every snowstorm is different.” Are you kidding me? This is the kind of lame response we get from our city officials? Untested territory, like it’s never snowed here, ever? They should all be FIRED. If I were anywhere near as incompetent in my job, I sure as hell would be!
And RK, I believe the word you meant to use is “inclement.” I also suppose you are either retired, work at home, or otherwise don’t have to try to navigate the horrendous streets.
dkap on December 03 at 9:13 a.m.
haha RK, great post. I agree. They probably could have declared the stage 2 emergency a bit sooner but some of this is simply unavoidable. Can’t have plows everywhere all the time.
RK on December 03 at 9:18 a.m.
avocet ~ yes I did indeed make a spelling error, thank you so much for your attention to detail.
Unfortunately your supposition isn’t as astute. I do not work at home, I work two jobs, I drive every day. I live on the northside, I take care of my home and the homes of 4 elderly people in my neighborhood, shoveling/plowing driveways and sidewalks, shoveling roofs as needed. Additionally I take care of family on the south hill several times a week by transporting them to the store, dr appts etc. I do not sit around and wait for our city government to make sure I can get around, rather I bought a decent vehicle, put good tires on it, carry a shovel, extra coat and gloves. (and extra pain pills since I have a horrendously bad back that is aggravated by cold weather and oh yeah snow shoveling).
hawken on December 03 at 9:46 a.m.
Brunt:
Did I miss something? You say….
“Spokane’s decision to call in private grader operators to help clear roads adds an extra financial burden in an already cash-strapped year. But officials say the need to maintain passable streets is one of the few good reasons to dip into reserves.”
The city says:
SPOKANE— The city of Spokane says its snow removal budget appears to be in great shape, despite one of the snowiest Novembers in the city’s history.
http://www.krem.com/home/City-of-Spokane-says-it-has-the-money-to-plow-away-111087569.html
So, I’m not sure I get the point/purpose of your article… in light of the fact that you failed to report…..
SPOKANE— The city of Spokane says its snow removal budget appears to be in great shape, despite one of the snowiest Novembers in the city’s history.
liarsinnews on December 03 at 10:49 a.m.
The Lilac City has money in the snow removal budget and the streets are full of ice today caused by the odd and even snow removal plan. I have never seen school buses stuck before this year. On my street the plow made only one pass and left a berm in the middle of the street, now its a berm of ice. Unbelievable.
greenlibertarian on December 03 at 11:14 a.m.
ChefGus called it, here in East Central a grader came through and also a plow.
bdr on December 03 at 11:45 a.m.
Huge mistake……warm weather is coming!
regular plows can easily remove the slop in a few days.
I think Verner is wasting your reserves…….!
You folks need to learn to stock-up and park you cars where it is plowed a few blocks away is not a huge thing to endure.
for a few days.