CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Cooperative Procurement 18-225, Roadway Salt, to Morton Salt Inc. for an amount not to exceed $644,688
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DEPARTMENT: Department of Public Works
SUBMITTED BY: Richard Dublinski, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Road salt is required for winter operations by the Department of Public Works (DPW). During the 2017/18 winter season, the city used approximately 13,000 tons of salt. Over the past ten years, the city has used an average of 16,000 tons of salt each year.
However, DPW staff has been taking measures to limit the use of salt due to its high cost and environmental impacts. Over the past few years, DPW has changed procedures for salting cul-de-sacs. DPW has lowered application rates when conditions warrant and have postponed the application of salt on residential streets, including cul-de-sacs, until after plowing is complete in some circumstances. These operational changes have resulted in an average reduction in quantity needed of nearly 5,000 tons of salt per year, which equates to over $200,000 of cost savings annually.
The City's goal is to have the domes substantially full at the beginning of the winter season so that at minimum, it is prepared for an average to moderately heavy winter season. This initial salt supply not only provides the City enough salt for application during an average winter season but also eliminates the reliance on winter delivery. The ultimate capacity of the City's salt domes is 18,000 tons, and the domes are currently substantially full.
Historically, the cost of salt has fluctuated from a low of $39.31 per ton in 2007/08 to a high of $62.35 per ton on the State bid and $70.44 per ton on the DuPage County bid in 2015/16. The price of salt has historically increased dramatically following a harsh winter or when salt shortages have occurred.
DISCUSSION:
The City is again participating in the State of Illinois Joint...
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