The lesson is clear: don't screw up snow and ice removal; citizens care...deeply. The Seattle City Council has completed its review of the disaster that struck last December when a week's delay in ordering the use of salt paralyzed the city. The mayor's after-action review had identified problem areas. The Council report, released today, found more. According to the City Council's review, SDOT lacked a modern tracking system and clear policies on how to prioritize and manage the storm response. The mayor and Council agreed to hire an independent consultant to improve the city's snowfighting plan.
The City Council ordered the report in March after stories by The Seattle Times that found SDOT mismanaged how city plows were dispatched and gave preferential treatment to West Seattle neighborhoods where Mayor Greg Nickels and Transportation chief Grace Crunican live. Council analysts interviewed SDOT crew chiefs and supervisors and reviewed the same documents provided to the Times.
December's storm blanketed Seattle, shutting down roads, bus routes and businesses for days just before Christmas. In the aftermath, the Council hosted several public hearings during which they heard of ill-preparedness, lack of communication, and residents who were stranded from work, home or medical appointments.
SDOT has made several changes, including a switch to using salt during severe winter storms....