Sartell Wins Excellence Award from League of Minnesota Cities for Road Pretreatment Program

(KNSI) – The City of Sartell has won the 2021 City Of Excellence Award from the League of Minnesota Cities.

According to a press release, Sartell was recognized in the 5,000 to 19,9999 population category for their road pretreatment program. The pretreatment solution is made up of a mixture of water and salt brine applied to road surfaces ahead of anticipated snowfall. The mixture helps melt the snow quickly, reducing the need for more salt, sand, and plowing. That lowers overall costs for the city, which the group says benefits the environment and the city’s bottom line.

Sartell’s Public Works Department started the pretreatment program in 2015 on roads that serve as main arteries through town and has saved an estimated $151,750 over the last six years. “We can safely say it has been a huge success for both the environment and the bottom line,” said City Administrator Anna Gruber, who added that the line item for salt is already $40,000 under budget in 2021.

The city expects to expand the program to residential neighborhood streets in 2021.

The City of Excellence Awards are given each year by the League of Minnesota Cities in three population categories and one topical category. The awards recognize cities for outstanding programs or projects. Each winning city will receive a plaque, a check for $1,000, and recognition in League publications and promotional activities throughout the coming year.

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