Number
181747
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN AND ALD. WITKOWSKI
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of Public Works to develop a reserve force of snow and ice control operation drivers and supervisors from the ranks of retired City employees.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Public Works to develop a reserve force of drivers and supervisors from the ranks of retired City employees to add workforce capacity during snow and ice control operations.
Body
Whereas, Prompt removal of snow and ice from public streets, crosswalks and City-owned sidewalks after a snowfall event is an urgent matter of public safety and convenience; and
Whereas, One-third of current Department of Public Works drivers detailed to snow and ice control operations have less than two years of experience and two-thirds have less than five years of experience; and
Whereas, Under current workforce deployment schedules, drivers and supervisors are routinely required to work 16-18 hour shifts during snow and ice control operations; and
Whereas, Many of the City’s snow equipment drivers and supervisors are drivers and supervisors for the City’s solid waste removal operations, and must return to regular garbage collection activities after snow and ice control operations end; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works regularly experiences shortages and high turnover in key positions, especially drivers, assigned to snow and ice control operations; and
Whereas, Workforce capacity issues are at least part of the reason the City’s snow and ice control operations are on occasion unable to keep pace with snowfall or to clear all of Milwaukee’s streets, particularly non-arterial streets, crosswalks and City-owned sidewalks, in a timely manner; and
Whereas, A reserve force of drivers and supervisors to help conduct the City’s snow and ice control operations could ease the burden of long shifts on City workers and permit round-the-clock operation of snow and ice equipment for longer periods, leading to faster snow clearing on neighborhood non-arterial streets, crosswalks and City-owned sidewalks; and
Whereas, The most knowledgeable and experienced candidates for such a reserve force are former City employees who have actually participated in City snow and ice control operations; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Public Works is directed to develop a reserve force of drivers and supervisors to add workforce capacity during snow and ice control operations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That this reserve force shall be drawn from the ranks of retired City employees.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB173730-1
Dana J. Zelazny
February 28, 2019