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5.8. SR 10-13-2003Pover Item# 5.8. PIEPIORANDUH TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent DATE: October 9, 2003 SUBJECT: 2003-2004 Snow Plowing Policy As in past years, the City Council is asked to review and adopt the snow plowing policy. There are two minor changes from last year's policy and one change that doesn't show up in the policy at all. The first change is that most cul-de-sacs will be circled on the first day of plowing and plowed completely on the second day. This change will help reduce overtime costs, since we can concentrate on street plowing the first day and complete plowing of the cul-de-sacs and general cleanup the second day. The second issue is the timing of the snow hauling from the downtown. Again, as a budget saving measure, I would suggest that the downtown snow be hauled on the third day following a storm after other cleanup and cul-de-sac plowing is completed. The third issue is sidewalk plowing. The sidewalk system has expanded to the point that we should be adding a second sidewalk plow. However, since this is not currently an option, we will prioritize the sidewalk route into Ist day, 2nd day, and 3rd day routes. Of course light snowfalls will take less time, and heavy snowfalls could take four or even five days to plow completely. I am hopeful that with these changes we maintain an average 10 hours/day completion time on an "average" snowfall and keep overtime costs under control. REVISED 10/7/03 SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY Opening Statement Snow and ice are natural occurring elements in Elk River and this policy is a guideline as to how the City of Elk River deals with these natural element within the constraints created by funding, equipment, and personnel. SNOW PLOW/NG Responsibility The Street Department monitors the street conditions to determine the timing and amount of equipment and personnel necessary to clear the streets. The Street Superintendent or his designee has the responsibility of determining plow routes and sequencing of operations in accordance with priorities as established by this policy. The Superintendent shall retain the latitude to adjust sequencing or route assignments based on storm conditions, equipment availability, and/or conditions warranting changes. Guidelines for Commencement of Operations Snow plowing and/or ice control operations will be initiated by the Street Superintendent or his designated representative. Operation will begin when two or more inches of snow has fallen or when ice conditions exist. Plowing will begin as close as practicable to the time when the snowfall ceases, however, every effort will be made to have all priority routes plowed by morning rush hour. For storms of an unusually long duration, priority routes will be plowed when accumulation become hazardous for driving. Based on different storm situations and severity levels, the starting times are flexible. During an extremely heavy snowfall, priority routes will be plowed and all residential routes will be plowed with at least one pass to allow emergency travel. Following the storm, all streets will be replowed and widened to allow normal vehicle usage. Street Plowing Priorities The City has classified city streets based on the street function, traffic volume, and importance to the welfare of the community. Those streets classified as "Priority Plow Routes" will be plowed first. These are high volume routes, which provide access for emergency fire, police, and medical services, and streets that access schools and commercial businesses. Each of the eight truck plows has a priority route. The second priority streets are low volume residential streets. The third priority areas are alleys and city parking lots. The fourth priority areas are cul-de-sacs. Work Schedule for Snowplow Operators Snowplow operators will be expected to work ten-hour shifts. In severe snow emergencies, operators sometimes have to work in excess of ten-hour shifts. However, because of budget and safety concerns, no operators should work more than a twelve-hour shift in any twenty-four hour period. Operators will take a fifteen-minute break every two hours with a half-hour meal break after four hours. After a twelve-hour day, the operators will be replaced if additional qualified personnel are available. Weather Conditions Maw Cause Suspension of Operations Snow and ice control operations will be conducted only when weather conditions do not endanger the safety of city employees and equipment. Factors that may delay snow and ice control operations include; severe cold, significant winds, and limited visibility. Any decision to suspend operations shall be made by the Street Department Superintendent and shall be based on the conditions of the storm. The City will still provide access for emergency, fire, police, and medical services during a major snow or ice storm. Sidewalks Sidewalks on the City's non-motorized pathway system are plowed concurrently with the street plowing using City equipment. Sidewalks are cleared of snow, but the City cannot remove packed snow and ice build up. Sidewalks that are not on the City's non-motorized pathway system must be cleared by the property owners. B Cul-de-Sacs While some isolated cul-de-sacs are plowed immediately with the streets, most are just "circled" by the truck plow and plowed completely at a later time. When "circling", the truck makes one pass, usually in the clockwise rotation, leaving the bulk of the snow in the center of the cul-de-sac and opening all driveways. The cul-de-sac is plowed out completely by another machine at a later time, probably be the following day with other clean up plowing. Ice Rinks The Street Department will also plow and sweep the ice rinks at Lion's Park and the Handke Pit while the streets are being plowed. Ice Control & Sand~Salt Application The City will use sand, salt, and other chemicals when there are hazardous ice or slippery road conditions. The City is concerned about the effect of such chemicals on the environment and will limit its use for that reason. First Priority - Priority routes, high volume intersections, and railroad crossings. Second Priority - Stop intersections, moderate volume intersections. Third Priority - Residential intersections. Elk River, like most communities, does not have the equipment or resources to sand all streets end to end, and during extremely cold weather, chemicals are not responsive as ice melters. Drivers must use caution when operating a motor vehicle, especially during winter months. Roadside Mail Boxes The City shall not assume liability for mailboxes damaged during snowplowing operations unless the Street Department determines that a plowing unit has made direct contact with the box. Mailboxes that are damaged by contact with City equipment will be repaired by Street Department personnel as soon as possible after plowing operations are completed. C Snow Hauling In the early morning hours on the second day following our plowing operation, the snow is loaded and hauled from the dowtown area and several locations where there is not snow storage because the sidewalk is immediately behind the curb. This operation requires the motor grader to windrow the snow, the loader mounted snow blower to load it and four or more trucks to haul it away. Snow hauling will be scheduled by the street superintendent or his designee as soon as practical following the plowing operation. Scheduling may be affected by weather, labor and or equipment availability. Driveways One of the most irritating problems for residents is the snow deposited in driveways during plowing operations. The plow blade pushes the snow windrows to the right side of the street and also into driveways. The drivers make every attempt to minimize the amount of snow deposited in driveways, but the amount can still be significant. Based on staff, equipment, and the costs associated, City personnel do not provide driveway cleaning. Possible exceptions are at the discretion of the Supervisor for emergency situations. Sod Damage Sod damaged by City plowing equipment will be repaired using one of two procedures the following spring: City Street Department will repair the damage using black dirt and seed. The property owner may elect to do the repair work using commercial sod. The City will reimburse the property owner for the sod purchased, not the labor. Said reimbursement must be approved by the City prior to the property owner doing any corrective work or purchasing any sod. Lawn Sprinhler Damage D The City will not be responsible for damage to any underground lawn sprinklers that are located on boulevards within the street right-of-way. It shall be the responsibility of the homeowner to protect such systems from damage or to relocate sprinkler heads within the homeowner's property lines. Special Note It is unlawful for anyone to deposit snow on a public right-of-way per Minnesota Highway Traffic Regulations 160.27 Subd (5): Misdemeanors: It shall be unlawful to obstruct any public street or highway or to deposit any snow or ice thereon; and, 169.42 Subd (1): Littering: No person shall throw, deposit, place, or dump upon any street or highway any snow, ice, etc. Trash Containers Since trash is collected five days per week, one or more routes encounter trash containers while plowing. Plow operators will slow down and swerve around trash containers, but often times just the snow windrow will knock the container over. Routes that are plowed on trash pickup day will have to be re-plowed after other snow operations are completed to avoid frozen mounds of snow in the road. Residents are encouraged to leave their trash containers behind the curb line on trash pickup day because plow operators will not stop to move containers or set containers upright that have overturned. SNOWICEP.DOC E