6.4. SR 01-09-2012Item # 6.4
MEMORANDUM
giver
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: January 9, 2012
SUBJECT: Sidewalk and Trail Snow Removal
During the recent New Year's weekend we requested parks maintenance staff to clean the
sidewalks and trails from the New Year's Eve slush and snow that occurred. It was not a
typical fluffy snow but aslush/sleet combination that started with a rain changeover to
snow. Parks Maintenance Supervisor Rodney Schreifels used his judgment based on past
experience to work on the trails and sidewalks before they froze and further become more
work. The additional work would have included additional staff time on regular hours and
use of equipment and additional supplies that would have taken time and additional cost
during the week.
Two parks maintenance employees were already scheduled to work Monday morning (city
New Year's holiday) to clean the Handke ice rinks. We did not schedule anyone for Sunday
morning because of the holiday. Due to the snowfall, we brought in two employees to clear
the snow off the rinks Sunday morning. These two employees and a third employee who
was called in cleared the snow and ice off the sidewalks and trails Sunday morning. A
majority of the snow/sleet removal was Sunday morning and some was completed Monday
morning. A total of 13 hours of overtime was used New Year's holiday weekend (Sunday
and Monday) to clear the sidewalks and trails.
The current snow ordinance outlines that residents are required to clear snow on their
sidewalks within 24-hours of a snow event. The actual ordinance reads as follows:
Section 46-34 (8). All sidewalks must be free of snow and ice during normal business
hours in commercial and industrial honed districts and within 24 hours after a snowfall
within residential honed districts.
Based on the ordinance, past experience, and the type of snowfall we received, Mr. Schreifels
made the decision to clear the sidewalks and trails.
We would appreciate direction from City Council regarding snow removal of sidewalks/trails
during holidays based on our current ordinance, policies and past practices.
~®~EaEe ~r
~JIA~