Public Works Committee Meeting: March 11, 2026
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Public Works Committee Meeting: March 11, 2026
The Public Works Committee met on March 11, 2026, to consider three capital budget amendments and to review snow removal operations following a major snowstorm. The meeting also included a presentation on the Snow Angel program and public comments regarding snow management.
Discussion Items
- Bill 10: Amends the 2026 capital budget to accept a $346,158 LSA grant for redesign of the Lehigh Street and Union Street intersection. The project will remove a concrete island, install a traffic signal, crosswalks, and pedestrian flashers. The city is still short $500,000 in funding, with construction expected within two years. Mr. Shatter noted collaboration with the school district to obtain right-of-way. Council members expressed support for pedestrian safety improvements.
- Bill 18: Amends the 2026 capital budget to transfer $55,000 from a completed capital project for design work on traffic signal upgrades at 17th Street and Linden, Turner, Chew, and Walnut Streets. The work includes emergency preemption devices, updated signals, ADA ramps, and pedestrian countdowns. Council discussed potential for pedestrian lead intervals and coordination with schools. The design is expected to take six months to a year, with construction two years out.
- Bill 19: Amends the 2026 capital budget to appropriate $55,295.39 from payments in lieu of tree plantings from developers. Funds will be used for new street trees citywide. Council discussed the tree planting program, the shade tree commission’s monthly meetings, and the fee schedule of $508.33 per tree. A public commenter (Milagros Canales) supported tree planting and noted neighborhood Earth Day events.
Snow Removal Review
- Mr. Shatter presented the city’s snow operations, highlighting preparation 48 hours in advance, 50 trucks running on 12-hour shifts, and 421 miles of roadway to maintain. The January 25 storm brought 11.88 inches of snow and ice, followed by three weeks of below-freezing temperatures, making it one of the most challenging storms. The city declared a snow emergency on 30 routes (54 miles). Council discussed messaging, including use of message boards, digital billboards, and improved website coordination. Council members noted an increase in parking deck usage from 500 to over 1,000 vehicles between storms. A subcommittee to review snow removal processes was proposed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ryan Hunsaker (SCIU president, 36-year employee): Criticized snow management, stating the snow emergency was lifted too soon, manpower was reduced, and key routes like 15th, Chew, and Tilghman Streets were not properly cleared. He argued the 1979 snow manual was not followed.
- John Huntseker: Described the snow response as the worst-managed 12-inch snowfall he had seen, with no snow removal on 19th Street and other areas.
- Don Ringer (business owner in West End): Called the leadership inept, stated no snow removal occurred in the west end, and questioned the cost of contractor removal. He spent $3,000 out of pocket.
- Milagros Canales: Presented the history of the Snow Angel program, which she founded in 2011. The program paired student volunteers with seniors for snow shoveling, peaking with 65 students and 152 houses. She discussed challenges with city takeover and school district changes. She expressed willingness to help revive the program.
- Lori Lee Holman: Described her independent “Operation Snow Angel” platform, which uses social media to connect volunteers with residents in need, including disabled veterans and seniors. She noted hundreds of requests this past winter.
Key Outcomes
- Bill 10: Motion to forward favorably to council passed unanimously (voice vote).
- Bill 18: Motion to forward favorably to council passed unanimously.
- Bill 19: Motion to forward favorably to council passed unanimously.
- Snow Removal: Council and staff agreed to form a subcommittee to evaluate improvements, including messaging, parking enforcement, and potential use of street sweeping routes for plowing. The city clerk’s office will explore options for the Snow Angel program, including liability and insurance considerations. Council expressed strong support for reviving the program with modern technology and partnerships.
Meeting Transcript
Everything is a good question. Good evening. Welcome to the public works committee meeting. Mr. Hanlin, please call the vote. I mean, go uh here. And there and thank you, Mr. Hanlin. So we have three bills. Bill 10. Uh Bill 10 amends the 2026 capital budget applied for an increase of 346, 158 dollars. Okay, thank you. And we have Mr. Shatter. Good evening. Uh Council Person Moda, and thank you. Uh so we received an LSA grant and amount of 346,000 dollars. Uh this funding this evening is going into a capital account to prepare work that we're gonna be doing uh at the uh Lehigh Street and Union Street intersection. Um there's a project there where we're doing a total redesign of that intersection. There's currently a concrete island there, so that concrete island would be removed, and there's a traffic signal that's going to be proposed there. So there's a whole slew of improvements that we're looking at doing at that intersection. So this funding here this evening is just to uh accept the funds from the LSA grant that we received and put it into the capital account. Any comments from the Dayus. Um I have a quick question. Regarding um improvements, uh building 21 is there. Is there are there improvements for like pedestrian safety as part of this? There's gonna be crosswalks. Um there's also gonna be a pedestrian flasher and RFB flasher that's at that location, so that will help guide pedestrians and students uh crossing to and from that location. Cool. Yeah, after school, I mean they're all crossing there, so uh it's a it's definitely a thing. It's it's a mess. That intersection is very scary. It's probably one of the most bizarre intersections we have in the city, so we're really looking forward to it. And that's where the school is, the charter school? That's where the building 21 is. I'm I'm glad. I'm glad. I'm glad that is happening. Um so when will this take place? Uh so we we we applied for another grant. It's the uh it was a Susan Wilde's grant, part of the uh community project funding grant. We also received 1.1 million dollars from that grant. Uh so right now, between that grant and this LSA grant, we're still short $500,000 on pursuing that project. So we're right now we're looking at other leads and other grant opportunities to cover that shortfall. So we're hoping within the next two years or so we'll be able to get that project underway. Oh, two years. Approximately, yes. Okay. So really quick because um maybe you have spoken about this before, but what are what are you guys planning to do? Is it uh run around uh uh rant aroundabout?
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