5.h) Snow and Ice Control PolicyCITY OF SCANDIA
RESOLUTION NO.: 02-15-11-01
RESOLUTION AMENDING SNOWPLOWING
AND ICE CONTROL POLICY
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section 412.221, subd. 6 authorizes the City to
maintain city streets; and
WHEREAS, the City Council find that it is in the best interests of the residents for the
City to assume basic responsibility for control of snow and ice on city streets; and
WHERAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City to have a
policy addressing snow removal and ice control; and
WHEREAS, a Snowplowing and Ice Control Policy was adopted on October 7, 2008
(Resolution No. 10-07-08-03) and amended on January 20, 2009; and
WHEREAS, in January and February of 2011 the City Council undertook a thorough
review of said policy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Scandia,
Minnesota, that an updated Snowplowing and Ice Control Policy which is set forth as
"Attachment A" to this resolution is hereby approved and adopted.
Adopted by the Scandia City Council this 15th day of February, 2011.
Randall Simonson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Anne Hurlburt, Administrator/Clerk
Attachment A, Resolution No.: 02-15-11-01
City of Scandia, Minnesota
Snowplowing and Ice Control Policy
Adopted February 15, 2011
1. Introduction
The city of Scandia, Minnesota, finds that it is in the best interest of the residents of the city
to assume basic responsibility for control of snow and ice on city streets. Reasonable ice and
snow control is necessary for routine travel and emergency services. The city will attempt to
provide such control in a safe and cost effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget,
personnel, and environmental concerns. The city will use city employees, equipment and/or
private contractors to provide this service.
This policy does not relieve the operator of private vehicles, pedestrians, property owners,
residents and all others that may be using public streets, of their responsibility to act in a
reasonable, prudent and cautious manner, given the prevailing street conditions.
2. When will city start snow or ice control operations?
The Maintenance Supervisor will decide when to begin snow or ice control operations. The
criteria for that decision are:
A. Snow accumulation of two (2) inches or more;
B. Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel;
C. Icy conditions which seriously affect travel; and
D. Time of snowfall in relationship to heavy use of streets.
Snow and ice control operations are expensive and involve the use of limited personnel and
equipment. Consequently snowplowing operations will not generally be conducted for
snowfall of less than two (2) inches, and will typically not be commenced until the snowfall
has stopped.
Between major snow events, snow and ice removal will continue during regular work shifts
subject to the availability of personnel and equipment.
3. How snow will be plowed
Snow will be plowed in a manner so as to minimize traffic obstructions. The center of the
roadway will be plowed first. The snow shall then be pushed from left to right on two-way
streets. The discharge shall go onto the boulevard area or ditch of the street. Wing plows
will be used to clear roads to their full width unless conditions dictate otherwise. Snow on
cul-de-sacs may be plowed to the center in an attempt to provide the largest turning radius
possible for emergency vehicle ingress and egress. When a plow goes on a bridge, the driver
shall slow down so snow does not go over the bridge, if possible. In times of extreme
snowfall, streets will not always immediately be able to be completely cleared of snow. The
city will not assure a completely bare roadway. The city will endeavor to make all roads
passable within a reasonable amount of time after snowfall has stopped.
4. Snow Removal
The Maintenance Supervisor will determine if and when snow will be removed from the area
by truck. Such snow removal will occur in areas where there is no room on the boulevard for
snow storage and in areas where accumulated piles of snow create a hazardous condition.
Snow removal operations will not commence until other snowplowing operations have been
completed. Snow removal operations may also be delayed depending on weather conditions,
personnel and budget availability.
5. Priorities and schedule of streets to be plowed
The Maintenance Supervisor has the responsibility for determining plow routes and
sequences of operations in accordance with established priorities and the most efficient use
of personnel, equipment and fuel.
During significant and severe storms or when resources are limited, regular plow routes and
sequences of operations may be altered. Resources may be shifted to priority routes to keep
them safe and passable, and plowing of all other streets may be stopped, at the discretion of
the Maintenance Supervisor.
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 "collectors" by the
Comprehensive Plan will be plowed first. These are higher volume routes, which connect
major sections of the city and provide access for emergency fire, police, and medical
services. The second priority streets are local, non -collector streets providing access to
schools and commercial businesses. The third priority streets are low volume residential
streets. The fourth priority areas are city parking lots, except as needed to maintain access
for emergency vehicles in which case plowing will have top priority. The lowest priority is
sidewalks.
Unforeseeable circumstances may cause delays in completing plow routes. Such
circumstances may include weather conditions that endanger the safety of snowplow
operators and/or safe and effective operation of equipment, commuter traffic, disabled
vehicles, poor visibility conditions, parked cars along streets, assistance to emergency
response vehicles, equipment breakdown, and personnel shortages.
6. Work schedule for snowplow operators
Snowplow operators will be expected to work eight-hour shifts. In severe snow
emergencies, operators sometimes have to work in excess of eight-hour shifts. However,
because of budget and safety concerns, no operator shall work more than a twelve-hour shift.
After a twelve-hour shift, the operators will be replaced if additional qualified personnel are
available. No operator shall begin a new shift until eight hours or more have passed since the
completion of their last shift.
7. Traffic regulations
The city recognizes that snowplow operators are exempt from traffic regulations set forth in
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 169 while actually engaged in work on streets, except for
regulations related to driving while impaired and the safety of school children. Pursuant to
this authority, snowplow operators engaged in snow removal or ice control on city streets
have discretion to disregard traffic laws set forth in Chapter 169, except for laws relating to
impaired driving and school children safety, when in their judgment, it is safe to disregard
such laws. The privileges granted herein to operators of snow removal and ice control
vehicles shall apply only if the vehicle is equipped with one lighted lamp displaying a
flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light placed in such a position on the vehicle as to be
visible throughout an arc of 360 degrees.
8. Weather conditions
Snow and ice control operations will be conducted only when weather conditions do not
endanger the safety of snowplow operators and equipment. Factors that may delay or
suspend snow and ice control operations include: severe cold, significant winds, and limited
visibility.
9. Use of sand, salt, and other chemicals
The city will use sand, salt, and other chemicals when there are hazardous ice or slippery
conditions. The city is concerned about the cost and the effect of such chemicals on the
environment and will limit its use for those reasons. The city will not be responsible for
damages to any turf or personal property caused by the application of salt or other chemicals.
10. Sidewalks
The city will maintain some of the sidewalks in the city. The list of those sidewalks is
attached, and may be updated from time to time by the Maintenance Supervisor. As there are
a limited number of personnel available, the city will only maintain these sidewalks after the
streets have been plowed. It is the responsibility of the resident and/or property owner to
remove all accumulated snow from all other sidewalks along public streets adjoining their
property. This includes any snow plowed from public streets onto the sidewalk.
Some of the sidewalks maintained by the city are on county roads. Snowplowing of these
roads may deposit snow and ice on the sidewalks. The city will attempt to clear these
sidewalks of snow but cannot assure that removal will be possible.
11. Mailboxes and personal property in rights -of way
Snow plow operators will make every effort to remove snow so as to provide access to
mailboxes for the Postal Service. However, it is not possible to provide perfect conditions
and minimize damage to mailboxes with the size and type of equipment the city operates.
Therefore, the final cleaning adjacent to mailboxes is the responsibility of each resident.
Coming into contact with a mailbox is a common obstacle snowplow operators face during
storm activities. The city will conduct a review of each mailbox incident to determine
whether the city will replace or provide reimbursement for the mailbox. Only mailboxes that
were properly installed and located, which were damaged by physical contact with city
equipment will be the responsibility of the city. The city will not be responsible for damage
to mailboxes or support posts caused by snow or ice coming into contact with the mailbox.
If the city is responsible for damage to a mailbox, the city will replace the mailbox with a
standard size, non -decorative metal mailbox and replace the support post as necessary with a
metal swing -arm style support post, both installed by the city. The city will not reimburse
the mailbox owner for the replacement of the mailbox and post by others. The Public Works
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Department may provide a recommended design for mailbox supports and promote its use by
city residents to reduce damage from snowplowing operations.
The city will not be liable for damage to fences, sprinklers, signs, trees, shrubs, landscape
materials, lighting, decorative items or any other objects placed in the public right-of-way.
Except as otherwise provided in any license or franchise agreement, the city will only be
responsible for damage to utility pedestals and transformers within the right-of-way resulting
from direct contact by City snow and ice removal equipment. City liability shall be limited to
actual costs to repair the damages as documented by invoices submitted to the City by the
utility.
12. Driveways and Parking
Snow plow operators will make an effort to avoid depositing snow in private driveways, but
snow accumulated on the plow blade has no place to go except the edge of the road including
driveways. City personnel will not provide driveway cleaning. Any exception shall be at the
discretion of the Maintenance Supervisor for emergency situations only. It is unlawful for
property owners to plow snow from driveways and sidewalks onto or across public roads.
Piles of snow left on the road can freeze into a solid mass creating a hazardous situation for
vehicles and snowplows.
City ordinances require that any parked vehicle interfering with the removal of snow and ice
shall be removed by their owners within 15 minutes of demand made by a city employee.
After such notice it is unlawful to park on the street until the snow removal operation is
completed. No vehicle shall be left standing or parked for more than 60 minutes between
2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any city street. Public works employees will coordinate
notification and enforcement efforts with office personnel and police as available and
appropriate.
13. Complaint procedure
Complaints, including the full name and address of the complainant will be recorded on
telephone logs and forwarded to the appropriate personnel. Residents are encouraged to
report information on road conditions. Emergency complaints will be handled in an
expeditious manner as resources are available.
14. Deviation from policy
The Maintenance Supervisor may deviate from this policy when in his or her judgment it is
in the best interest of the city. Changes in priorities will be documented as to what caused
such actions, why the change was necessary, and for how long the change is to be in effect.
15. Review and modification of policy
The Maintenance Supervisor shall keep on file all comments and complaints received
regarding this policy. The policy will be reviewed periodically. Any review will consider
comments and complaints since the last review and any other factors affecting the policy or
its implementation.
City of Scandia
List of Sidewalks Maintained
February 15, 2011
Olinda Trail (County Road 3) from 209th Street to Highway 97
Oakhill Road (County Road 52) from Oakhill Court to Olinda Trail (County Road 3)
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