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11.1. SR 04-20-2015 �j Elk = - Request for Action River To Item Number Mayor and City Council 11.1 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Worksession Aril 20, 2015 Suzanne Fischer, Director, COD Item Description Reviewed by Snow and Ice Control Policy Mark Thompson, Streets Superintendent Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Action Requested Discuss updates to the Snow and Ice Control Policy. Background/Discussion Over the last two snow seasons, staff identified areas of the existing policy requiring updates to more accurately reflect the documents intent. The revisions proposed include: • Clarification that non-designated city sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner • Residents violating winter parking restrictions are subject to citations, and, if not moved within 12 hours, the vehicle will be towed at the owner's expense • Residents placing driveway snow on public roadways are subject to citations • Mailboxes damaged by city equipment will be replaced with the U.S. Postal Service `swing away' style, or, the resident will be reimbursed up to $75 (w/receipt) to replace the mailbox with a style of their choice • Trash containers will be added to the list of disallowable items in the public Right-of-Way The proposed revisions will reduce obstructions in the roadways and allow plow operators to more efficiently complete their routes. Financial Impact ■ N/A Attachments Revised policy P0WIeIa 0 Template Updated 4/14 INAWREJ CITY OF ELK RIVER STREETS DIVISION SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY I. INTRODUCTION It is Tthe City of Elk River believes that it is in the best intefest of the fesidents f6f the Gitl,- olic to assume basic responsibility for snow and ice control on Ecity streets. _Reasonable snow and ice control is necessary for routine travel and emergency services. -The Ecity w&provides such control in a safe and cost-effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget, personnel and environmental concerns. City employees, equipment and/or private contractors are used to provide this service. II. M.-COMMENCEMENT OF SNOW OR ICE CONTROL OPERATIONS The Street Superintendent or his/her designee determines plow routes and the sequence of operations in accordance with priorities in this policy. The basic criteria for these decisions are: A_�Snow accumulation of one (1) inch. B_-o"The Streets Superintendent or his/her designee's determination thate plowing is necessary due to. i. Drifting snow ii. Icy conditions —Snowfall timing in relation to traffic flow. Night tifne plowing ttsually begins between 2:00 aa�d 4-0-0- a.m. but can vary based on weathef conditions. B. Dfiffing snow tfnpeddes vehicle ; G. ley conditions sefiettsly affeet tfwel; an ill. D. Time of snowfall in felationship to traffic flows. Night-time plowing begins between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. depending on weather conditions. III. HI—. STREET PLOWING PRIORITIES AND SCHEDULE Streets are classified by their function, traffic volume, and community value. A. Priority Routes - High volume routes which provide access for emergency fire, police, and medical services; streets accessing schools and commercial businesses. B. Secondary Routes - Residential streets, alleys and city parking lots. CTertiary Routes - Cul-de-sacs. In severe snow emergencies, operators may h-a - work in excess of t ii10-hour shifts. However, due to safety concerns, no operator should work more than fourteen (14) consecutive hours and no more than eighteen (18) hours in any X24-hour period. IV. IV­.-WINTER PARKING RESTRICTIONS 1 draft 4.1.2015 City Ordinance prohibits all-vehicles-parking to­+,e­- � public streets, alleys and cul-de-sacs between 2 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. from November 15 to April 15, regardless of the amount of snow. This allows crews time to plow the streets curb to curb. -For safety and convenience, priority streets are plowed first, then secondary and residential streets. Vehicles parked on a city street during a snow event are subject to tieketingcitations and fines. -fir-vVehicles remainsinag on the streets 12 hours after it's been tiekete a citation will be towed at the owner's expense. if yottf vehicle is Call Towing at XXX.XXX.XXXX for retrieval information. V. SNOW REMOVAL The Streets Superintendent determines when snow accumulations sno will be are removed by trdek from an areathe public right-of-way to mitigate hazardous traffic conditions. This oee__vs fi~ snow °eate a hazaf o__s condition. _Snow removal operations will not commence until other snowplowing operations are complete. afea. Scheduling may be affeeted by weathef, staffing levels and equipment a-vaiiabili- VI. DOWNTOWN SNOW REMOVAL Downtown snow removal (including parking lots) ttsually commences between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. but can vary depending on the severity of snow event. -Downtown businesses are responsible to h a-v:e s~o«_for removinged snow from irrthe front of their establishments within 24 hours after a snowfall. VII. TT�SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL The City Council designates sidewalks and trails that are plowed by the city. cimotOnzed pathw SyStem is plowed by Pafk staff concuffently with stfeet plowing. Sidewalks afe cleafed of snow, but efews cannot femove packed snow and ice build up. The City has one ty's of non- designated city sidewalks isare the responsibility of the property owner. VIII. VII.DRIVEWAYS It is unlawful€of anyone to deposit snow on"ttbiie fight public roadways per Minnesota Highway Traffic Regulations. State Statute 960.27 Subd(S): Misdemeanors:It shall be unlawful to obstruct any_public street or hi bway or to deposit any snow or ice thereon;and, 969.42 Subd(9):Littering: No person shall throw, deposit,place, or dump upon any street or higbway any snow, ice, etc. Residents observed doing such activities are subject to a citation and fine. IX. ITEMS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY Mailboxes -The Ecity does not assume liability for mailboxes damaged during snowplowing operations unless the Streets dDivision determines that a plow unit made direct contact--,A ith the 1e-X. 2 draft 4.1.2015 Staff shall investigates each complaint and determines if the mailbox was hit by a plow or other piece of equipment. -If so, a temporary mailbox will be installed until . in the spfiftg,-a replacement is erected. cswing am ay' style mailbox eenf6ffning to 4ie U.S. Postal Ser-eice specifications 9350A will be installed. This style is accepted by the Fedefal Highway Assectiattion as fneeting the National 9350A is the standafd in nufnefetts counties and municipalities thfoughout the state. if the will be reimbursed up to $75 (receipt required) to feplace it with a style of theif choicefor replacement. All mailboxes and structures in public right-of-way must be constructed of break-a-way material. fesponsible f6f any fijtttfe mailbox damage if it is not the swing away style. Incidents involving cluster mailboxes will be determined on a case by case basis. Trash Containers - , make sttfe yffd"Trash can recycling biiacontainers shall be placed swell behind the curb or in the driveway, clear of passing snowplows and resulting windrows . D0 -The city is not responsible for ai-,rdamage to trash/recycling bifts containers if+he�placed in the street. Lawn Sprinklers/Invisible Pet Fences -The Ecity wilkis not b'e-responsible for damage to afirunderground lawn sprinklers or invisible pet fences that afelocated on beet evaf' within the street t public right-of-way. Homeowners are responsible to protect such systems from damage or to relocate sprinkler heads and fences within their property boundary. Sod Damage - Sod damaged by city plowing equipment will be repaired the following spring either by Sstreet crews using black dirt and seed; or by the property owner if they elect to do the repair using commercial sod. -The Ecity will reimburse the property owner for the sod purchased but not for any-labor costs. -Reimbursement must be approved by the Street Superintendent or his/her designee prior to the pfepefty ownef doing anrcorrective work or sod purchase. Please call the Streets Division at 763.635.1120 if you have questions about this policy. 3 draft 4.1.2015 CITY OF ELK RIVER STREETS DIVISION SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY I. INTRODUCTION It is the City of Elk River policy to assume basic responsibility for snow and ice control on city streets. Reasonable snow and ice control is necessary for routine travel and emergency services. The city provides such control in a safe and cost-effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget, personnel and environmental concerns. City employees, equipment and/or private contractors are used to provide this service. II. COMMENCEMENT OF SNOW OR ICE CONTROL OPERATIONS The Street Superintendent or his/her designee determines plow routes and the sequence of operations in accordance with priorities in this policy. The basic criteria for these decisions are: A. Snow accumulation of one (1) inch. B. The Streets Superintendent or his/her designee's determination that plowing is necessary due to: i. Drifting snow ii. Icy conditions ill. Snowfall timing in relation to traffic flow Night-time plowing begins between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. depending on weather conditions. III. STREET PLOWING PRIORITIES AND SCHEDULE Streets are classified by their function, traffic volume, and community value. A. Priority Routes - High volume routes which provide access for emergency fire, police, and medical services; streets accessing schools and commercial businesses. B. Secondary Routes - Residential streets, alleys and city parking lots. C. Tertiary Routes - Cul-de-sacs. In severe snow emergencies, operators may work in excess of 10-hour shifts. However, due to safety concerns, no operator should work more than fourteen (14) consecutive hours and no more than eighteen (18) hours in any 24-hour period. IV. WINTER PARKING RESTRICTIONS City Ordinance prohibits vehicle parking on public streets, alleys and cul-de-sacs between 2 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. from November 15 to April 15, unless extended or repealed, by the Streets Superintendent or his/her designee. This allows crews time to plow the streets curb to curb. For safety and convenience, priority streets are plowed first, then secondary and residential streets. Vehicles parked on a city street during a snow event are subject to citations and fines. Vehicles remaining on the streets 12 hours after a citation will be towed at the owner's expense. 1 propsed 4.1.2015 Call Towing at XXX.XXX.XXXX for retrieval information. V. SNOW REMOVAL The Streets Superintendent determines when snow accumulations are removed from the public right-of-way to mitigate hazardous traffic conditions. Snow removal operations will not commence until other snowplowing operations are complete. VI. DOWNTOWN SNOW REMOVAL Downtown snow removal (including parking lots) commences between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. depending on the severity of snow event. Downtown businesses are responsible for removing snow from the front of their establishments within 24 hours after a snowfall. VII. SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL The City Council designates sidewalks and trails that are plowed by the city. Clearing of non- designated city sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner. VIII. DRIVEWAYS It is unlawful to deposit snow on public roadways per Minnesota Highway Traffic Regulations. State Statute 160.27 Subd(S): Misdemeanors:It shall be unlawful to obstruct any public street or highway or to deposit any snow or ice thereon;and, 169.42 Subd(9):Littering: No person shall[brow, deposit,place, or dump upon any street or higbway any snow, ice, etc. Residents observed doing such activities are subject to a citation and fine. IX. ITEMS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY Mailboxes -The city does not assume liability for mailboxes damaged during snowplowing operations unless the Streets Division determines that a plow unit made direct contact. Staff shall investigate each complaint and determine if the mailbox was hit by a plow or other piece of equipment. If so, a temporary mailbox will be installed until a replacement is erected. The city will replace mailboxes damaged from direct contact with city equipment with the `swing away' style mailbox conforming to the U.S. Postal Service specifications. If a resident does not want the swing-away style, they will be reimbursed up to $75 (receipt required) to replace the mailbox with a style of their choice. All mailboxes and structures in public right-of-way must be constructed of break-a-way material. Incidents involving cluster mailboxes will be determined on a case by case basis. Trash Containers -Trash and recycling containers shall be placed well behind the curb or in the driveway, clear of passing snowplows and resulting windrows. The city is not responsible for damage to trash/recycling containers placed in the street. Lawn Sprinklers/Invisible Pet Fences -The city is not responsible for damage to underground lawn sprinklers or invisible pet fences located within the public right-of-way. 2 propsed 4.1.2015 Homeowners are responsible to protect such systems from damage or to relocate sprinkler heads and fences within their property boundary. Sod Damage - Sod damaged by city plowing equipment will be repaired the following spring either by street crews using black dirt and seed; or by the property owner if they elect to do the repair using commercial sod. The city will reimburse the property owner for the sod purchased but not for labor costs. Reimbursement must be approved by the Street Superintendent or his/her designee prior to the corrective work or sod purchase. Please call the Streets Division at 763.635.1120 if you have any questions about this policy. 3 propsed 4.1.2015