I've been getting a number of calls and emails about the snow removal in the last week as well as what is going to happen with the snow in the next few days. So I'd like to clarify a few things with regard to policy as well as talk about what the plan is moving forward.

The city's policy is to plow the major arterial roads like Colorado Boulevard first with the secondary streets and then the residential neighborhoods second and third in priority. All streets in the city have been plowed at this point at least once, but residential streets only get one pass through. I've gotten calls asking why the residential neighborhoods look so poor, especially compared to the main streets, and that is because they are last priority due to limited resources. In a normal situation you, the taxpayer, shouldn't want to pay for trucks and staff to sit idle, which is why there are limited resources. I believe people want a fiscally responsible government, so we make sure the main roads, with the most traffic, are clear, which is why we focus on the major streets first. Under most conditions that works, but because of the unusual amount of snow, it has not been sufficient, and many of you are frustrated. I understand that, and we can do better.

We are better prepared for the next round of snow, and I just received this email from Bud Elliot, the deputy city manager in charge of infrastructure, including snow removal:

"We are starting a full compliment (19 pieces of equipment, hopefully increasing to 30) of contractors tomorrow at 7am to focus on secondary's, specifically the intersections. Our crews (17 pieces of equipment) will be working the arterials. If the storm develops as forecasted, we will be back in the residentials. For cul-de-sacs, we back our loaders in and push the snow to the collector where it is then picked up by a plow."

You can be assured we are putting all the resources into the situation as possible.

Regardless of our best efforts, there are still things we can learn from this event. I believe communication with citizens can be better, and we ought to thoroughly review our disaster management plans. I will personally ask for a review of all policies regarding snow removal and natural disasters in the next council meeting, scheduled for January 9 th. Thank you for your consideration and your patience.