Feb. 8, 2021 7:20p
(WGTD)---The storm that dumped a foot of snow in some areas last month laid bare inadequacies in Kenosha's snow removal plan, according to some members of the city council.
The council's Public Works Committee voted unanimously Monday night to recommend a top-to-bottom review of procedures, policies, personnel and equipment needs.
A resolution directing administration to launch the study was authored by Ald. Dave Bogdala, who says he received more complaints from the Jan. 30th storm than he did from the famous Groundhog's Day blizzard from 10 years ago. The complaints last month ranged from slow responses, to streets that became rutted with ice.
While the committee's resolution mandates that the comprehensive review be completed before the end of summer, Bogdala made clear Monday night that he expects immediate improvements. "There has to be additional oversight. There has to be better decision-making when we're doing what we need to do because we can't go another two months with the issues that we're experiencing," he said.
City Administrator John Morrissey said the city deploys 49 pieces of equipment when a major snow storm hits. But 13 trucks are on order. "We are told that the plant where they build the trucks has been closed four times due to COVID," Morrissey said. "Our trucks were supposed to be here in January."
The last major review of the city's snow removal plan was undertaken four years ago, also at Bogdala's urging. Improvements that were made as the result of that review fell short of what Bogdala had been hoping for, but he said it was still a step in the right direction.
Monday night Bogdala had praise for both Morrissey and Mayor John Antaramian, and said they were fully cooperative.
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