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5.3. SR10-01-2007t-1 Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION M River To Item Number Ma ox and Ci ~ Council 5.3. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Public Works October 1, 2007 Ter Mauxex, Public Works Director Item Description Reviewed by Review of the Snow and Ice Control Policy Phil I-Ials, Street Su erintendent Reviewed by Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator Action Requested Review and approval of the Snow and Ice Control Policy. Background/Discussion Attached fox your information is a copy of the current Snow and Ice Control Policy and also a copy of the snow plow route map. There axe no changes in the approach the Street Division will be taking in dealing with snowfall events this winter. However, the Snocv and Ice Control Policy has been rewritten to put it into an objective performance standard. The League of Minnesota Cities Model Policy was used as a guide. As you can see from reviewing this document, we have broken down the snowfall events to be 4 inches ox less and greater than 4 inches. With every snowfall event, our primary priority is to get the major routes open, followed immediately by getting all of the streets in the city at least open enough fox traffic to flow. The secondary priorities axe cleaning out major intersections, plowing public parking areas, fully cleaning all city streets, together with cleaning of cul-de-sacs. The third priority is the hauling of snow in areas that require this operation. As you can see from the map, we currently have nine designated snow plow routes. In a typical snowfall event, one plow route driver can handle 12 - 15 miles of roadway in a shift. We cuxxendy axe approximately 5 -7 miles short of needing a tenth plow route, ox extending the time to complete the routes. With the current state of development, it will likely be a few years before we will need to deal with the additional plow route. At the start of the snowfall event, in addition to the nine designated plow routes, we have four other people out; three of them in loaders -one utilizing the tractor fox summer roadside ditch mowing equipped with a plow in the winter. These four additional vehicles handle the public parking areas including the Noxthstax Paxk & Ride lot, major intersections of city streets with trunk highways, and cul-de-sac areas. During a snowfall event, we axe utilizing all Street Division employees, including the mechanics, to move snow. In addition, we also utilize employees from other departments that are trained and licensed to operate snow plows on an "as needed" basis. On Monday evening, I will be in attendance along with Phil and/or Mark from the Street Division to answer any questions you may have regarding plans fox handling snowfall events this winter. Financial Impact N/A Attachments • Snow and Ice Control Policy • Snow Plow Route Map Action Motion by Second by Vote Follow Up Q\llocumen[s and Settinl,~s\jmillec\Iucal Settings\Tempoxaxy Intemec Files\OLK3E\]0 Ol 07 cc memo.doc 10/1/07 CITY OF ELK RIVER SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY Opening Statement Snow and ice axe natural occurring elements in Elk River and this policy is a guideline as to how the City of Elk River Street Division deals with these natural elements on City streets and sidewalks. The City will provide such control in a safe and cost effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget, personnel and envixonxnental concerns. `l"he City will use their employees, equipment, and/ox private contractors to provide this service. SNOW PLOWING Responsibility The Street Division monitors the street conditions to determine the timing and amount of equipment and personnel necessan~ to clear the streets. The Street Superintendent ox 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 ox route assignments based on storm conditions, equipment availability, and other conditions warranting changes. Guidelines for Commencement of Operations Snow plowing and/ox ice control operations will be initiated by the Street Superintendent ox his/hex designated representative. Condition Tyaical Response Less than one inch light snow Respond only to call outs by local police fox sand and/or salt application in specific areas. Less than one inch wet snow Two trucks with salt and/ox sand on pxioxiry routes, hills, railroad crossings and residential intersections as needed. Ice All trucks with salt and/ox sand on priority routes, hills, railroad crossings then residential intersections, and skip sand residential streets. 1" to 1'/z" Snowfall t1ll trucks with salt ox at temperatures -5 degree F ox colder sand and salt, on pxioxiry routes, hills, railroad crossings and residential intersections and skip sand residential streets as needed. Plow drive aisles of all parking lots as minimum. A 1'/z" to 4" Snowfall Streets Plow all streets curb to curb within 24 hours of the end of the storm. Paxking_Lots Plow all city parking lots concurrently with street plowing. All parking lots to be plowed within 24 hours of the end of the storm. Cul-de-sacs Some cul-de-sacs are plowed in conjunction with street plowing but all cul-de-sacs will be plowed curb to curb within 48 hours of the end of the storm. Downtown Snow Haulin¢ Completed within 72 hours of the end of the storm. Street Snow Hauline Completed within 96 hours of the end of the starm. 4" to 8" Snowfall Streets Plow all streets curb to curb within 36 hours of end of the storm. Paz ~ Lots Plow all city parking lots concurrently with street plowing. All parking lots to be plowed within 24 hours of the end of the storm. Cul-de-sacs Some axe plowed in conjunction with street plowing but all cul-de-sacs will be plowed curb to curb within 48 hours of the end of the storm. Downtown Snow Hauline Completed within 96 hours of the end of storm Street Snow Hauling Completed within 120 hours of the end of the storm. More than 8" Snowfall Priority Routes Plowed when snow accumulation becomes hazardous for driving. Plowed curb to curb within 24 hours of the end of the storm. B Residential Plow Routes Opened with at least one pass within the first 24 hoots of the end of the storm. Plowed curb to curb within 48 hours of the end of the storm. Parking Lots Plow all city parking lots concurrently with street plowing. All parking lots to be plowed within 36 hours of the end of the storm. Ctrl-de-sacs Opened with one pass through the center of the circle within the fast 24 hours of the end of the storm. All col-de-sacs plowed curb to curb within 48 hours of the end of the storm. Downtown Snow Hauline Completed within 96 hours of the end of storm. Street Snow Hauline Completed within 120 hours of the end of storm Street Plowintr 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 Routes" will be plowed fast. These are high volume routes, which provide access fox emergency fire, police, and medical services, and streets that access schools and commercial businesses. Each plow truck has a priority route. The second priority streets axe residential streets, alleys and city parking lots. The third priority areas axe col-de-sacs. Work Schedule for Snowplow Operators Snowplow opexatoxs will be expected to work tcn-hoax shifts. In severe snow emergencies, opexatoxs sometimes have to work in excess of ten-hour shifts. However, because of safety concerns, no operators should work more than twelve consecutive hours and no more than 18 hours in any twenty-foar hoax period. Operators will take afifteen-minute break every two hours with ahalf-hour meal break after four hours. After atwelve-hour day, the opexatoxs will be replaced if additional qualified personnel are available. Weather Conditions May Cause Suspension ofOpetations Snow and ice control operations evill 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 Division Superintendent ox his designee C 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 axe plowed concurrently with the street plowing using City Park Department equipment Sidewalks axe cleared of snow, but the City cannot remove packed snow and ice build up. City sidewalks will be plowed with one machine and will be prioritized into first day, second day and third day areas. Sidewalks that axe not on the City's non-motorized pathway system must be cleared by the property owners. Ice Control & Sand/SaltAkiplication The City will use sand, salt, and other chemicals when there are hazardous ice ox slippery road conditions. The City is concerned about the effect of such chemicals on the environment and will limit its use fox that reason. First Priority - Pxioxiry 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 meltexs. Drivers must use caution when operating a motor vehicle, especially during winter months. Roadside Mail Boxes The City shall not assume liability fox mailboxes damaged during snowplowing operations unless the Street Division determines that a plowing unit has made direct contact with the box. Mailboxes that axe damaged by contact with City equipment will be repaired by Street Division personnel as soon as possible after plowing operations are completed. Snow Hauling In the early morning hours on the day following the residential plowing operation, the snow is loaded and hauled from the downtown area and several locations where there is no snow storage (snow hauling areas axe highlighted on Map #2). This operation requires the motor grader to windrow the snow, the loader mounted snow blower to load it and four ox 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. D Drivewavs One of the most irritating problems fox 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 Superoisox fox emergency situations. Sod Damage Sod damaged by City plowing equipment will be repaired using one of two procedures the following spring: 1. City Street Division will repair the damage using black dirt and seed. 2. The property owner may elect to do the repair work using commercial sod. The City will reimburse the pxoperry owner fox the sod purchased, not the labor. Said reimbursement must be approved by the Ciry prior to the ptopexry owner doing any corrective work ox purchasing any sod. Laura SorlnklerDama2e The City will not be responsible fox damage to any underground lawn sprinklers that axe located on boulevards within the street right-of-way. It shall be the responsibility of the homeowner to protect such systems from damage ox to relocate sprinkler heads within the homeowner's pxoperry lines. Special Note It is unlawful fox anyone to deposit snow on a public right-of--way per Minnesota Highway Traffic Regulations 160.27 Subd (S): Misdemeanors: It shall be unlawful to obstruct any public street ox highway or to deposit any snow ox ice thereon; and, 169.42 Subd (1): Littexine: No person shall throw, deposit, place, ox dump upon any street ox highway any snow, ice, etc. E Trash Containers Since trash is collected five days per week, one ox 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 axe plowed on trash pickup day will have to be xe-plowed after other snow operations axe 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 ox set containers upright that have overturned. zcxo5ficv ~~ahcs rr iseJ i ~ r;'tt7-?1t-051>~C- F