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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Work Session: Resolution 4826 Adopting Ice and Snow Removal Policies and Repealing Resolution No. 4278 Meeting Date: February 28, 2005 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Jeff Lankston www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-4813 ISSUE STATEMENT This is a work session requested by the Public Works Department to consider revision of the current Ice and Snow Removal Policy. A policy change would allow the use of anti-icing and de-icing agents for the purpose of ice and snow control on specified street sections. BACKGROUND On January 12, 2004, the council approved Resolution 4784, essentially amending Resolution 4278, which was passed in 1991 and which did not allow for the use of anti-icing or de-icing agents for the purpose of ice and snow control on streets. Resolution 4784 was adopted on a temporary basis through April 1, 2005. This resolution allows the use of anti-icing and de-icing agents on streets for the purpose of ice and snow control. Prior to being used, these products needed to be approved by the City Manager. Before Resolution 4784, sanding rock was the only material used for traction control. The application of sand is a reactive approach to ice and snow control in that sand is only applied when freezing conditions exist. Displacement of sand by vehicles and wind makes application prior to freezing conditions ineffective. Sanding for traction control has economic and environmental ramifications. Although sand is relatively inexpensive, a significant portion of ice and snow control costs are related to placing abrasives on the streets and then cleaning them up. Depending on the severity of the storm, several applications may be necessary on snow and ice routes. By using anti-icing and de-icing agents for ice and snow control, cost reductions are anticipated due to the reduction in repeat applications and the elimination of the clean-up process. Environmental impacts due to excessive sand use are also of concern. Dust particles created by vehicles crushing sanding rock can cause air quality concerns. For example, Denver, Colorado, has been cited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for excessive particulate matter (PM 10), otherwise known as brown cloud. Denver is now required to use liquid ice and snow control materials to maintain appropriate air quality conformity and compliance to EPA standards. Other cities and counties require liquid agents to meet EPA standards. Silt build-up in waterways from sand entering the stormwater system is another environmental concern. Sediment runoff can harm aquatic life and vegetation. An effort to clean up abrasives is made following all weather events to minimize property, personal and environmental damages. However, all material is not reclaimed due to displacement onto road shoulders and into stormwater inlets. L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050228\S050228B.doc