In a release from the mayor’s office, Gorton added that the recent storm was unusual, with layers of snow and ice blanketing the city for several days, “it has pushed us to learn how we can be better prepared.”
The mayor said changes include pivoting more employees to assist with snow removal, purchasing better equipment, increasing private contracting for snow clearing services, and improving cooperation with the school system.
Some of the changes, like acquiring new plows and salt spreaders, have been approved by the Urban County Council, but won’t be seen until next season. Other changes are coming immediately, says City Chief Executive Officer Sally Hamilton.
"Parks and Rec is ready to redeploy their existing snow plows. There's eight of them," Hamilton told LFUCG council members. "So we figured that we would be better putting those snow plows in the neighborhoods. And we'll worry about the parking lots for the parks after we get these neighborhoods fixed.
Gorton's release says the city will:
- Purchase 5 new plows and salt spreaders for smaller trucks the city already owns (assigned to various government divisions).
- Use trucks in parks that already have snowplows and salt spreaders attached, then assign Parks employees to help clear neighborhood streets.
- Seek private contractors through emergency contracts to help clear neighborhood streets.
- Seek Council approval to purchase an additional three tanker trucks to increase the city’s ability to apply salt brine and beet heat, which are useful when snow and ice become packed down.
The Mayor and FCPS Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and Fayette County Public Schools will work more closely together to make improvements.
“We are jointly committed to improve communication and cooperation,” Gorton said.
