Elgin getting an early jump on winter readiness

Elgin city leaders are positioned to put their final touch on preparations to make snow removal better for the coming winter.

City leaders tonight will vote on whether to spend $121,300 for a private firm to plow each of the city's 335 cul-de-sacs this winter.

John Loete, Elgin's Public Works Department director, said the city used to use smaller trucks to plow these areas in the past. This move frees up more drivers to operate larger trucks along the city's newer and more numerous snow routes, he said.

"We're doing everything we can to get all our ducks in a row for this and be ready," Loete said. "We looked at it from a question of do we have enough people to do it all. No, we don't."

The contract could end up costing more or less, depending on how much snow falls. The Great Lakes Snow Systems of Elgin edged out two other companies, one of which estimated the service would cost $521,150.

Public works officials and city leaders also have made other changes.

They bought a year's worth of salt - more than 10,000 tons - over the summer to help ensure they won't run out or have to mix a dwindling amount with sand.

They also bought 12 new trucks and reconfigured plow routes.

Now, there will be three routes for main roads and 19 for sides streets and residential areas. Last year, there were 17 routes.

Finally, the city aims to plow to the curb within 12 hours following a storm of 4 to 8 inches. For snows less than 4 inches, the plow time is six hours and for snows of 8 inches or more, the standard is 24 hours.

Loete said Great Lakes crews will be held to the same standard.

City Manager Femi Folarin said the plowing firm also will be evaluated in part based on feedback from residents.

City spokeswoman Sue Olafson said the city is working with Northern Illinois University to survey residents next spring on snow removal.