New plans for snow, leaf removal in Elgin

Stung by criticism about poor leaf pickup and snow removal, Elgin leaders promised a top-to-bottom review of the public works department.

That wasn't just lip service.

Each of the department's 106 employees was interviewed one-on-one on how to improve services.

"It was an open conversation," said Bill Potts, a crew leader in the department's traffic division and business representative from the Service Employee International Union Local 73, which represents some 250 city workers. "You need to talk to the people who plow and use the equipment."

The city officials delivered, buying more snow plows and a host of other sweepers, vacuums, trenchers and trucks.

City leaders this week also outlined how they will improve snow removal and leaf collection.

Snow removal

In a storm of 4 to 8 inches, the city aims to plow to the curb within 12 hours after snow stops falling.

The old standard for all storms was 24 hours.

"Many times, we're done within 24 hours," said David Lawry, the city's general services manager. "We want to challenge ourselves a little bit."

For snows of less than 4 inches, the plow time is 6 hours. For snows of more than 8 inches, the plow time is 12 to 24 hours.

City leaders also have changed how crews will plow.

Last winter, the plan was 17 routes where the focus was major roads first, residential areas later.

Residents complained they could barely get out of their neighborhoods, if at all.

Now, there will be three routes for main roads only and 19 routes for side streets and residential areas.

City leaders also plan to capitalize on their salt storage capacity, which will increase to 18,000 tons after a new storage facility opens this fall.

Although 13,000 tons were spread last winter, the city typically uses about 6,500 tons, Public Works Director John Loete said.

The department plans to buy more salt before the Nov. 1 rush that normally occurs through the state's joint purchasing program. The result will be about 12,000 tons amassed before the first snowfall.

This will ensure the city never has to ration salt or mix it with sand again, Loete said.

Three more salt storage facilities are planned for 2009, 2010 and 2011. Loete said this reduces the time drivers spend refilling and make them more efficient.

Leaf removal

Last fall, a late leaf drop and early snowfall resulted in piles of decaying leaves being scattered around many older neighborhoods.

The city bought more trucks that are used to push the leaves into a large pile. Six more leaf vacuums have been acquired, and crews will work additional overtime.

City officials also are considering an odd-even parking schedule for four neighborhoods on a trial basis.

No decision on whether to move forward with the trial has been made.

With the focus on improving efficiency, city leaders have not pledged to hire more workers -- yet.

The three-year contract with the union expires at the end of December, and the issue is sure to come up.

Potts is pleased that management is listening and council members have opened up the checkbook. He believes service will improve, but more workers will be needed in years to come.

"There's a need for manpower with all the growth the city has had," Potts said.