TDE Snow Management Report

Customer: City of Pontiac Date: January 3, 2017

Over the last 30 days TDE has done significant research on the Pontiac snow issues. Our findings show
that in 2012 when TDE took over, Pontiacs budget was in-line with other neighboring municipalities. In
fact, just looking at 2012 compared to 2014 & 2015, 92% of the time that we serviced the State of
Michigan in 2012 in Pontiac, we also serviced the City of Pontiac. However, in 2014 & 2015 that percent
drastically dropped, to us servicing the City of Pontiac only 36% of the time that we serviced the State of
Michigan. We also found that the per capita amount spent on winter services in Pontiac per resident, is
1/4 to 1/5 the amount of the neighboring municipalities of Rochester Hills and Royal Oak.
After the 2012 winter season and the release of the emergency manager, the scope of work was adjusted
and full control of services were given to a newly formed DPW (Department of Public Works). This
reduction along with new controls made a dramatic change in services, essentially robbing TDE, of their
common sense and their proven ability to perform to their exceptional standards. The services were
dropped so drastically that we previously serviced the city of Pontiac 96% of the time that we serviced the
State of Michigan and after 2012 in the 2014 & 2015 season, we only serviced Pontiac 18 times while the
State of Michigan roads system in Pontiac was serviced 47 times.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The budget must be increased to allow for curb to curb plowing and for salt to be used on the local
streets. The local streets should be plowed when there is a 3 inch depth or more of snow, instead of an
over 6 inch major storm.
In the downtown area and minor critical areas, service should be increased to equal the service and
priority given to that of the state roads.
CONCLUSION
It is our conclusion that if the City of Pontiac wanted to save money, that goal was met and accomplished
by undercutting the budget and by hiring a subcontractor to perform minimal work instead of necessary
work. That goal was met to the detriment of your residents safety, and their many complaints is the result
of this. This report conducted by TDE, shows proof that all blame that has been put upon TDE, is in fact
the result of a subpar budget approved by the City of Pontiac. If the budget is increased to match with
comparable municipalities and consistent with current State contracts currently in place with TDE for the
City of Pontiac, complaints will dissipate, and only then will the City of Pontiac take full advantage of
TDEs capabilities.
The repeated misrepresentations by members of the City Council and other employees of the City of
Pontiac is compromising TDEs professional reputation. Blaming TDE without a factual basis must stop
immediately. TDE insists that the City Council promptly retract the statements it has made to the local
media. While we would prefer to resolve this informally and without the need for litigation, TDE will not sit
idly while its professional reputation is unfairly damaged.

City of Pontiac - TDE Group Winter Management Report

Created by TDE Management - January 3, 2017

Snow Removal Municipality Spend

Dates: During Emergency Management (2012) and after City Control (2014-2015)

City
Royal Oak
Rochester Hills
Pontiac

Population
57236
70995
59515

2012 Season
$ 295,740.00
$ 184,070.00
$ 160,540.00

2014 Season
$ 409,190.00
$ 407,200.00
$ 70,400.00

2015 Season
$ 560,070.00
$ 325,452.00
$ 87,700.00

Per Capita 2012

$
5.17
$
2.59
$
2.70

Per Capita 2014

$
7.15
$
5.74
$
1.18

Snow Accumulation Amounts and Salt Usage

Dates: During Emergency Management (2012) and after City Control (2014-2015)

Season Year
2012 Season
2014 Season
2015 Season

$
$
$

Actual
108,070.00
70,400.00
87,700.00

Salt Inclusive
NO
YES
YES

$
$
$

Salt Costs
165.00
165.00
165.00

Usage (tons)
318.0
24.6
34.3

$
$
$

Total Spend
160,540.00
70,400.00
87,700.00

Snow Event Services Callout - MDOT vs. City Pontiac

Dates: During Emergency Management (2012) and after City Control (2014-2015)

Season Year
2012 Season
2012 Season
2014 Season
2014 Season
2015 Season
2015 Season

Contract
MDOT
City Pontiac
MDOT
City Pontiac
MDOT
City Pontiac

Billable Events
25
23
19
8
28
10

City vs. MDOT

92%
42%
36%

Winter Service Scope (SOW)

Dates: During Emergency Management (2012) and after City Control (2014-2015)

Season Year
Prior to 2012
Prior to 2012
Prior to 2012
2012 Season
2012 Season
2012 Season
After 2014 Season
After 2014 Season
After 2014 Season

Streets
Locals
Major Criticals
Downtown Loop
Locals
Major Criticals
Downtown Loop
Locals
Major Criticals
Downtown Loop

Trigger
Anything Over 3 inches
Unsafe (Follow MDOT)
Unsafe (Follow MDOT)
Anything Over 6 inches
Unsafe (Follow MDOT)
Unsafe (Follow MDOT)
Major Storms > 6" & By Request
By Request Only
By Request Only

Snow Accumulation Service Spent

Dates: During Emergency Management (2012) and after City Control (2014-2015)

Season Year
2012 Season
2014 Season
2015 Season

$ Applied to
Total Spend
Total Snow (in)
Local
$
160,540.00
47.7
$
$
70,400.00
42.0
$ 29,400.00
$
87,700.00
40.5
$ 52,340.00

* Sources: Budget Documents - www.rochesterhills.org www.romi.gov

** TDE Group USA Inc.

$ Applied to
Others
$ 160,540.00
$ 41,000.00
$ 35,360.00

% Decrease
Avg. Year
0%
76%
79%

Total Snow (in)

47.7
42.0
40.5

Per Capita 2015

$
9.79
$
4.58
$
1.47