Title
2024/2025 Residential Driveway Plowing Program
Brief Description: In January of 2024, staff introduced a residential driveway plowing program for eligible residents. Staff will recap the program and discuss the program for the 2024/2025 snow season.
Body
Legislative History
23-0100 - Senior Snowplow Program Proposal - 10/10/2023
Purpose & Explanation
During the 2023/2024 snow season, the City of Hudson started a pilot program to plow residential driveways for those meeting our requirements. The program, which began in January, was targeted for fifty residents to determine the feasibility of the program. We had forty-six residents sign up to participate in the program. There were a few residents who were turned away for not meeting the requirement of a homestead exemption. Of the forty-six residents who participated in the program, nineteen had their driveway plowed one time by our contractor. All plowing occurred between 1/19/24 and 1/21/24. The total cost associated with this service was $1,071.00. The Public Works office received little to no communication regarding the program after the initial sign-up period. The contractor received two phone calls from participants. One resident voiced concern over the 48-hour waiting period for service. The second resident thought that the vouchers worked for all vendors. He did not understand that our vendor needed to perform the service.
Topics to consider moving forward include the size of the program, altering the scope of services to include snow removal around sidewalks, mailboxes and entry to the residence. Adding these services could increase costs $30 to $45 per driveway per service. A comparative chart is included to compare Hudson’s program with surrounding communities who offer similar programs. The estimated costs for the program of fifty participants with five service vouchers is $15,000. Offering sidewalk, mailbox clean up and entry to residence would increase that total to $26,250 for fifty participants.
Timing Considerations
Staff will publicly bid the program this summer to have everything ready to go in November.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
X Supplemental Appropriation Required (101-7800-52396)
Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends a discussion to set next winter’s residential driveway snow plowing program.
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, City Manager
Kevin Powell, Public Works Director
Eric Hutchinson, Assistant Public Works Director