The Dover City Council received an informational snow-response report Monday, describing how city crews and contractors handled the Jan. 9 storm and identifying operational limits and options for future storms.

The City Manager told council that "21.2 miles are critical and 8.6 miles are emergency, representing about 22% of the 133 miles of roadway that we must address during the storm." The manager said the city focuses on emergency and critical routes during the storm and moves into residential areas after the snow subsides.

Staff explained several standing policies and constraints. Residential streets are not routinely plowed unless snowfall "exceeds 4 inches," the manager said; salting residential areas is not part of the current plan because of resource limits for equipment, material and personnel. The report noted Dover currently has four dump trucks equipped with spreaders and that infrastructure features such as manhole covers prevent plow blades from being lowered to pavement level without risk of equipment damage.

The presentation included photographs of packed and drifting snow in several neighborhoods and noted weather factors that complicated response: post-storm winds (21 mph on Jan. 9), low asphalt temperatures and multi-day cold that slowed melting. Staff said contractors provided extra resources during the event, DelDOT pretreatment (brine) is applied on many state routes, and the city has used brining and pretreatment on emergency and critical routes when possible.

Council members urged the city to explore pretreatment and brining for more streets. Councilman Rocha said pretreatment is preferable to salt because brine is less damaging to pavement and suggested negotiating with DelDOT to obtain brine or equipment. Councilman Lewis asked staff to prepare a cost analysis for budget hearings of options including contractor salting or additional vehicles.

The item had been added to the agenda for information only; no formal council action was taken because the agenda amendment did not provide notice for action. Council members asked staff to return during the budget process with options and cost estimates for additional pretreatment, equipment, or contractor services.

The City Manager closed by thanking public-safety partners and city crews for work during the storm.