Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Action Items # 5.
ITEM TITLE: Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award
SUMMARY: City Manager transmitting information on the City receiving
the Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award from the
North American Salt Institute.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Safe and Sustainable Snowtightng Award-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Safe and Sustainable Snowtightng Award National Supporting Documentation
Release
THE CITY OF Dubuque
UBE I
erica .i
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Salt Institute "Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award"
DATE: February 8, 2016
Public Works Director Don Vogt is transmitting information about the City of Dubuque
being one of nineteen cities in the United States recognized by the North American Salt
Institute with its "Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award".
// ju� k�4
Micliael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Don Vogt, Public Works Director
John Klostermann, Street and Sewer Maintenance Supervisor
Dubuque
THE CITY
—�i
D �. f L E Allpmetica CilV
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2009.2012.2013
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Don Vogt, Public Works Director D7V
SUBJECT: Salt Institute "Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award"
DATE: February 3, 2016
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you that the City of Dubuque is one of
nineteen (19) cities in the U.S. being recognized by the North American Salt Institute
with its "Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award".
BACKGROUND
The Salt Institute promotes the responsible usage of road deicer salt for the dual
purposes of saving lives and protecting commerce. It notes that an average of 1,000
Americans die every year on snow and ice-covered roads, along with an additional
115,000 injured. It further reports that a one day shutdown of roads can cost a state's
economy between 300 and 700 million dollars.
DISCUSSION
The Salt Institute emphasizes that the storage and usage of road deicer salt must
always be mindful of potential harm to the environment. It provides training materials
not only promoting conservative and controlled usage during winter storms, but also
stressing the importance of well-designed storage facilities to prevent soil, surface
water, and ground water contamination. Details regarding the City's snow and ice
control program and road deicer storage facility at its Municipal Services Center were
recently submitted by Street and Sewer Maintenance Supervisor John Klostermann for
the Institute's consideration. We were judged on nine (9) major categories: Level of
Safety and Service; Materials Usage; Equipment Selection and Operations;
Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement; Strategic Operations;
Tactical Operations; Storage and Safety; Housekeeping; and, Environmental. Within
those nine categories, there are seventy-one (71) sub-categories of targets/standards.
A copy of the Institute's award evaluation checklist is attached.
ACTION STEP
No action recommended —this is provided for your information.
CC: John Klostermann, Street and Sewer Maintenance Supervisor
Attachment
S �W
The Salt Institute began encouraging safe and sustainable snowfighting in
1972, when it began its Sensible Salting Program. Decades later, SI is still
leading the way in promoting best practices in snowfighting to ensure
uncompromised winter safety, mobility, and protection of the environment.
Partnering with leaders in winter maintenance, SI has expanded its long-standing
"Excellence in Storage Award" to include safe and sustainable operations. In
2012, we present the Salt Institute's "Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award,"
a program that recognizes agencies that demonstrate best practices in salt storage
and snowfighting.
Clear winter roads protect lives and commerce. Road salting and effective plowing
can reduce injury crashes by up to 88%. And a one-day major snowstorm that
shuts down roads can cost a state between $300 and 1700 million in direct and
indirect costs. Snowfighting is often an underappreciated vocation, but at the Salt
Institute we recognize snowfighters as heroes, whose dedicated work protects lives
and enables our winter economy.
To apply for the "Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award" the facility manager
should complete the attached application form and checklist, have it signed by his/
her immediate supervisor and return it and all supporting documentation to the
Salt Institute by June 1. Please answer all questions. Applications will be judged
by our evaluation committee and in some cases a Salt Institute representative will
make an on-site facility visit.
Award recipients will receive a "Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award"
certificate and will be recognized in a Salt Institute press release.
If you have questions please contact Martina by phone (703-549-4648) or
email (martinaCsattinstitute.org).
Winter Maintenance
Safety and Sustainability Checklist
Winter Maintenance Section
Levels of Safety and Service Yes No " Score
Are all roads within an agency's area of responsibility assigned a level of safety and service?
Are the different levels of safety and service clearly identified?
Can agency personnel easily determine whether and when a given stretch of road has achieved its desired level of safety
and service?
Has the community served by the agency been involved in the process of determining evels of safety and service for
roads serviced by the agency?
Does a plan exist to evaluate levels of safety and service on agency roads on a regular basis?
Is the level of safety and service of a given road segment determined by including factors such as AADT,peak hour traffic,
access for emergency services,school hours and bus routes,and other similar factors?
Have road segments that are in particularly environmentally sensitive areas been clearly identified,and assigned a level of
safely and service accordingly?
In the last two years,has your agency been free from lawsuits resulting from personal injury or properly damage as it
relates to Improper winter maintenance?
Maximum Total Paints for Level of Safety and Service 8
Your Agency's Score for Level of Safety and Service
Materials Usage Yes No Score
Does the agency have a method to specify application rates as a function of pavement temperature,route cycle time,
and storm type?
Does the agency have the capability to pre-wet all solid applications?On the truck(2 paints)or in the facility(1 paint)?
Does the agency have the capability to apply liquids before and during a storm?
Does the agency limit the use of abrasives or abrasive-salt mixtures to those conditions in which straight salt usage is not
appropriate?
Does your agency utilize the deicing tool(NCHHP577)in selecting the most economical and effective deicing products.
Maximum Total Points for Materials Usage 6
Your Agency's Score for Materials Usage
Equipment Selection and Operations Yes No Score
Are all material delivery systems calibrated regularly?Annually(1 point)or monthly(2 points)?
Do all agency vehicles have surface temperature measuring equipment attached?
Is all winter maintenance equipment specified and purchased on the basis of life-cycle costs?
Does delivery equipment have the capability to record where material was placed on the road,and at what rate It was
placed?
Is the equipment fleet managed using a pro-active maintenance system?
Is it standard practice in equipment operations to use the most fuel efficient vehicle capable of efficiently conducting a
specified task?
Do fuel efficiency,vibration reduction,minimizing of pavement damage,and wear resistance all get incorporated into
cutting edge selection for snow plow blades?
Are various pieces of equipment(e.g,snow plows,material delivery systems)easily exchanged between vehicles(i.e.in
less than 10 minutes)?
Maximum Total Points for Equipment Selection and Operations 9
Your Agency's Score for Equipment Selection and Operations
Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement Yes No Score
Do you have a post-storm review process that is used after each storm?
Do you have a formal system to measure whether and when the required level of safety and service has been achieved on
each road segment?
Is your storm severity measurement quantitative?
Do you have a system that actively seeks out ways to improve your winter safety and service activities? _
Maximum Total Points for Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement 4
Your Agency's Score for Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement
Strategic (annual) Operations Yes No Score
Do you provide annual refresher training in winter maintenance for all winter maintenance personnel?
Do you conduct a post-winter review of all activities in the spring/early summer of each year,to identify areas of success
and areas in need of improvement?
Do you review snow plow routes annually for efficiency?
Do you have a pro-active frost prevention strategy?
Do you have a snow drift prevention program in operation?
Do you provide some sort of media interaction meeting in the fall,to prepare the local media for the upcoming winter
season and your activities in it?
Do you have a well-defined system for the media to contact your organization during winter storm events?
Do you have a system to provide the media with special access that allows them to communicate winter maintenance
activities effectively to the community(e.g,reporter ride alongs)?
Do you have some form of annual open day or open events to allow the public to learn about what you do?
Do you conduct forums or surveys to obtain feedback from the public on the winter safety and maintenance services that
you provide to your community?
Do you track the total loading of materials placed on the road network each winter?
Do you have a system In place to designate certain road segments as being environmentally sensitive
(at least annual review)?
Do you have systems in place to provide real-time road surface condition information to the traveling public?
Do you hold annual(at least)co-ordination meetings with appropriate emergency services agencies?
Maximum Total Points for Strategic(annual)Operations 14
Your Agency's Score for Strategic(annual)Operations
Tactical (per storm) Operations Yes No Score
Do you use some sort of Value Added Meteorological Service to provide forecasts for your winter storms?
Are these forecasts site specific(Le,they provide different forecasts for different road segments)?
Do these forecasts provide pavement temperature forecasts?
Do you adapt your storm strategies depending on the time of day at which the storm starts or ends,to take account of
variations in traffic levels?
Do you have methods in place to deal with disruptions that can occur during winter storms(e.g.equipment failure,traffic
congestion,crashes etc.)?
Do you have systems in place that allow for easy communication with emergency services in your area?
Maximum Total Points for Tactical(per storm)Operations 6
Your Agency's Score for Tactical(per storm)Operations
Maximum Total Score for Winter Maintenance Section: 47
Total Score for Winter Maintenance Section:
Salt Storage Section
Storage & Safety Yes No Score °+
Does this facility store at least 75%of its annual requirement of salt?
Has this facility been operational for at least one full winter season?
Do you have a written policy far snow and ice control operations?
Does this facility have a written safety program?
Is this facility fenced or otherwise secured to prevent unauthorized access?
Has this facility been free of any safety violation citations by government regulatory agencies in the past two years?
Does this facility have outside lighting for night operation?
Does this facility have inside lighting for night operation?
Does this facility conduct safety meetings at regular intervals(monthly,quarterly,annually)?
Maximum Total Points for Safety 9
Your Agency's Scare for Safety
Housekeeping Yes No Score
Is this salt storage facility kept free of debris/trash or equipment not related to snow and ice control?
Does this facility have a fenced,walled or secured area where all recyclable materials are stored?
Is solid waste generated at this facility, whether near the storage area or otherwise,contained for proper removalldisposal?
Does this facility have awritten procedure requiring that all salt and/or salt/abrasive mixtures spilled during loading or unloading
operations are cleaned up and placed undercover before the end of each working day or atconclusion of a storm even?
Does this facility have awritten policy requiring cleanup of loading&spreading equipmentafter each snow/ice event?
Does this storage facility have a written housekeeping policy
Maximum Total Points for Housekeeping 6
Your Agency's Score for Housekeeping
Environmental Yes No Score
Does this facility comply with all zoning ordinances?
Does this facility comply with all applicable building and sanitation codes?
Is the primary storage pile covered by a rigid,roofed structure or a waterproof cover?
Does this primary storage facility contain all salt and/or salt/abrasive mixtures?
Is loading of spreader trucks done on asphalt,concrete,or another type of impervious pad?
Does this storage facility have a written inspection program to periodically assure the integrity of the pad,lighting,
structure or other items?
Is runoff of salt brine from this storage facility controlled on property owned by the agency or collected for disposal in
accordance with applicable permits?
Is this facility free of any environmental violation within the past year?
Does this facility have a written policy for disposal of wash water from trucks and spreaders?
Maximum Total Points for Environmental 9
Your Agency's Score for Environmental
Maximum Total Score for Salt Storage Section: 24
Combined Total Score for Maintenance and Storage Sections:
Eligible for Award?
Disclaimer.,The information contained to this publication is intended as general information only. It does not constitute business advice orattempt to establish industry bestleactices or
guidelines,nor should it be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of professionals and experts that readers should consult with directly. The Salt Institute and its officers,personnel,agents,CEO
Council and members disclaim any and all liability for any harm,injury or damages whatsoever(including,without timitatron,direct,indirect,consequential,incidental,or punitive)arising out of the
use of,or inability to use,any of the Information in this publication or the materials,information,orprocedures or referenced therein. Readers should use their own independent judgment,with the
assistance ofprolessionals and experts when appropriate,to determine the practices and procedures that they decide to follow in their ordinary course of business.
The Salt Institute • 700 N. Fairfax St, Suite 600 •Alexandria, VA 22314-2040
0
Press Release
For l mmealate Release: February 2, 2016
Contact 703 549 4648
Lon Roman, lauraidsaltinstiW[e.ora
Salt Institute Honors Snowrighters for Protecting Motorists am! the
Environment
Sale and Sustainable Snowfjghbng Awards given to 90 facilities; 20 for first time
Alexandria, VA—The Sal[ I nsti[uta is honoring 90 transportation facilities across the
United States and Canada with its Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting award
recognizing environmental consciousness and effective management in the storage of
winter road sal[.
Clear winter roads protect lives and commerce. Every winter, more than 116,000
Americans are injured and over 1 ,300 killed as a result of pavement that is covered in
snow, slush or ice, according N the J A Department of Transportation Federal Highway
Administration (http flops fhwadot oov/weather/weather events/snow icehtrnl. But
studies of highways in Snow Belt states and in Canada by Marquette University showed
that road sal[ reduces crashes by 88 N 93 percent.
(http Hwww hcmaroueUe eduft ublications/I ceControl/ice control1992pdf)
When the directand indirect impactof road shutdowns on the broader economy is
factored in, road salt becomes even more valuable. According to the American Highway
Users Alliance a one day major snowstorm can cost a state $300 $700 million in direct
and indirect costs, lost commerce and productivity (http Hwwwhiahwaysoral
content/uploads/2014/02/economic costs of snowstorms.LdB In fact, deicing pays for
itself within the first 25 minutes after the sal[ is spread—making proper salt storage and
timely deicing a smart investment.
About 17 million tons of deicing salt is applied to roadways in the U S. each year
according N the UA Geological Survey
(htNY/minerals uses oov/minerals/pubs/commodity/saltlmcs2014sa1[pci Having
enough road salt on hand before storms hit requires advance planning and facilities that
provide safe and efficient storage. Winner must also display proper maintenance and
good housekeeping practices.
"The familiar sight of trucks spreading salt on icy winter roads gives motorists
reassurance, as it should. If that salt was stored in and spread by a facility honored with
a Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting award, motorists have the added assurance of
knowing the utmost care has been taken N protect public safety and the environment
These facilities have cleared a high bar. For example, in minimizing salt runoff alone, 10
specific criteria must be met" said Salt Institute President Lori Roman. "
A complete list of winners follows.
—30—
The Salt Institute is a North American based non-profit trade association dedicated to
advancing the many benefits of salt, particularly to ensure winter roadway safety, quality
water and healthy nutrition.
USA
City of Fort Collins, Streets Department Fort Collins CO
CT DOT 71A Pit Berlin, Berlin CT
CT DOT Farmington CT
CT DOT Glastonbury Maintenance Facility, Glastonbury CT
CT DOT 239 Miller Avenue, Meriden CT
CT DOT Middletown Facility, Middletown CT
CT DOT Southington Maintenance Facility, Southington CT
CT DOT Wethersfield Maintenance Facility, Wethersfield CT
City of Dubuque, Dubuque IA
City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines IA
Village of Addison Public Works, Addison IL
City of Geneva, IL Public Works, Geneva IL
Village of Hanover Park, Hanover Park IL
Village of Lake in the Hills, Lake in the Hills IL
Lake Zurich Public Works, Lake Zurich IL
Village of Mount Prospect PW, Mount Prospect IL
McHenry County Division of Transportation, Woodstock IL
Indiana DOT, Greensburg Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Aurora Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Paoli Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Tipton Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Gary Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Bluffton Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Rensselaer Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Cambridge City Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Fort Wayne Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Fort Wayne Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Chesterton Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Markle Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Michigan City Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Sullivan Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Westfield Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Albany Subdistrict, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Alexandria Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Wabash Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Falls City Subdistrict, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Indianapolis Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Linton Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Winchester Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
Indiana DOT, Dale Maintenance Unit, Indianapolis IN
City of Olathe Salt Storage Facility, Olathe KS
City of Ann Arbor - Field Operations, Ann Arbor MI
City of Bloomington, Bloomington MN
City of Concord Department of Transportation, Concord NC
Town of North Salem Highway Department, North Salem NY
Ohio Department of Transportation Ashland County, Ashland OH
Ohio Department of Transportation, Crawford County, Bucyrus OH
Ohio Department of Transportation - D11 - Carroll County, Carrollton OH
City of Fairfield, Fairfield OH
City of Lancaster Department of Transportation, Lancaster OH
Ohio Department of Transportation, Richland County, Mansfield OH
Ohio Department of Transportation, Erie County, Milan OH
Ohio Department of Transportation (Tuscawaras County), New Philadelphia OH
Ohio Department of Transportation, Huron County, Norwalk OH
Ohio Department of Transportation, Lorain County, Oberlin OH
Ohio Department of Transportation, Wayne County, Wooster OH
PENNDOT Nuangola Stockpile #16, Ashley PA
PENNDOT Retreat Stockpile #06, Ashley PA
PENNDOT Sybertsville Stockpile #10, Ashley PA
PENNDOT Sugar Notch Stockpile #18, Ashley PA
PENNDOT DuPont Stockpile #14, Ashley PA
PENNDOT West Hazleton Stockpile #11 , Ashley PA
PENNDOT Sun Valley Stockpile #07, Ashley PA
PENNDOT Kyttle Stockpile #05, Ashley PA
PENNDOT - Armstrong County - Kittanning Stockpile, Kittanning PA
PENNDOT - Armstrong County - Kiski Stockpile, Kittanning PA
PENNDOT - Armstrong County - Crooked Creek Stockpile, Kittanning PA
PENNDOT - Armstrong County - Worthington Stockpile, Kittanning PA
PENNDOT - Armstrong County - Cowansville Stockpile, Kittanning PA
PENNDOT - Armstrong County - Farm Stockpile, Kittanning PA
PENNDOT - Armstrong County - Snyderville Stockpile, Kittanning PA
PENNDOT - Armstrong County - Distant Stockpile, Kittanning PA
Tylersburg Stockpile, Shippenville PA
Clarion PennDOT - I-80 Stockpile, Shippenville PA
New Bethlehem Stockpile, Shippenville PA
Callensburg Stockpile, Shippenville PA
Lehi City, Lehi UT
City of Roanoke - Public Works, Roanoke VA
City of River Falls, River Falls WI
CANADA
Brunway Highway Operations Inc. District 3 — Meductic, Hanwell NB
Brunway Highway Operations Inc. District 2 — Centreville, Hanwell NB
MRDC Operations Corporation Eastern Division, Oromocto NB
MRDC Operations Corporation Western Division, Oromocto NB
Corporation of the City of Brampton - Williams Parkway Yard, Brampton ON
Corporation of the City of Brampton - Sandalwood Parkway Yard, Brampton ON
City of Mississauga - Clarkson Works Yard, Mississauga ON
City of Mississauga - Mavis Works Yard, Mississauga ON
City of Mississauga - Malton Works Yard, Mississauga ON
City of Mississauga - Meadowvale Yard, Mississauga ON
Van Pelt Const. Inc. c/o Ministry of Transportation, Sault St. Marie ON