Like many businesses right now, the City of Bellevue is experiencing a staffing shortage.
The city’s Public Works Department, which normally has up to seven employees for snow removal operations, is down to three employees. To make up for the lack of staff, the city plans to contract with a local company, Pappas Pumping and Land Development Company, to provide on-call snow plowing services. The company will be tasked with plowing residential streets, especially those streets considered to be a top priority.
“By contracting with a private company to help plow residential streets, the city can focus its attention on removing snow from Main Street,” said Mayor Kathryn Goldman.
In addition to Main Street, the city’s top priority streets include Pine, Ash, Beech, 2nd, and Spruce Street from Main to 6th Street. Even with the additional resources provided by the local company, Mayor Goldman wants residents to know that there still may be delays in clearing streets this winter. In particular, residents should be aware that:
- When snow accumulations reach 3 inches, the city will plow Main Street and the streets near schools and other critical locations (e.g., city hall and fire station) first.
- Some roads will not get the same level of service and may be only plowed minimally or will have snow and ice on the roadway for longer periods of time.
- Depending on the severity of the storm, it may take several hours to several days for life to return to normal. In the aftermath of the storm, be patient and self-sufficient, and travel only if it’s absolutely necessary.
“Public safety is our first priority. We need to focus our resources on clearing snow from streets deemed essential to provide public safety. In doing so, we may have longer response times getting to some of the secondary streets throughout the community,” Mayor Goldman said.
The mayor also encourages residents and business owners to help the city this winter by:
- Removing snow from sidewalks in front of your home and business. The best time to shovel snow is immediately after it falls and before ice can begin to form.
- After you clear the sidewalk of snow, consider applying an ice-melting substance. The city recommends the use of calcium chloride (sometimes called “hot melt”) rather than sodium chloride (rock salt) because it is less damaging to sidewalks and plants.
- Also, it works at a much lower temperature, so it is more effective in freezing conditions.
- If your home or business is at a corner, please remove the snow from the sidewalk ramps so children and other pedestrians can cross the street.
- If you can afford one, buy a snowblower, and help your neighbors.
- Make sure you blow the snow into your yard and not the street.
To view the city’s Snow Removal Policy, please visit the city’s website at www.bellevueidaho.us. For more information, please contact Mayor Goldman at (208) 788-2128.