HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.r. Amendment to Snowplowing PolicyCITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
City Council Meeting Date December 21, 2004
AGENDA ITEM: Amendment to the Snowplowing Policy
AGENDA SECTION:
CONSENT
PREPARED BY: Rick Cook, Public Works Superintendent
Dan Schultz, Parks and Recreation
AGO
Director
ATTACHMENTS: Snowplowing Policy with proposed
APPROVED BY:
changes
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve the proposed changes to the
Snowplowing Policy.
ACTION:
ISSUE
In November of 2003 the City Council updated the City's Snowplowing Policy Staff have
again reviewed the policy and are requesting the City Council consider updating the policy
BACKGROUND
In 2003 the changes to the Snowplowing Policy introduced language for the set back of Solid
Waste Containers The 2003 update included having the trash and recycling cans /bins set
back eight feet behind the curb
Staff also updated the Priority Snowplow Routes and the Sidewalk/Trail Corridor list The
Priority Routes are completed prior to any other streets, sidewalks and or bike trails The
Sidewalk /Trail Corridors list is a list of sidewalks and bike trail that the City will maintain
SUMMARY
Staff is recommending the set back of solid waste containers be changed from eight feet to
four feet This is recommended by staff as a housekeeping item and will not impact the
plowing of City Streets and will provide solid waste collectors with a more reasonable
distance to access the containers Staff is also recommending updating the Priority
Snowplow Routes and the Sidewalk/Trail Corridor lists based on the addition of new streets
and sidewalks /trails
PUBLIC WORKS
POLICY NO. M -1
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
SNOWPLOWING POLICY
Introduction/Purpose
Adopted by City Council
on 10 -15 -96
Revised on 11 -04 -97
Revised on 11 -18 -03
The purpose of this policy is to define and outline snow and ice control objectives and
procedures as established by the City of Rosemount
The City of Rosemount believes that it is in the best interest of the residents for 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 concems The City will use City employees, City owned or rented equipment and/or
private contractors to provide this service,
This policy supersedes any and all previously wntten or unwntten policies of the City
regarding snow and ice removal
When Will City Start Snow or Ice Control Operations?
The Public Works Superintendent will decide when to begin snow or ice control operations
The cnterra for that decision are
A Snow accumulation of 2 inches or more as measured in the City of Rosemount,
B Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel,
C Icy conditions which seriously affect travel,
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 2 inches
How Snow Will be Plowed
Snow will be plowed in a manner so as to mmunize any traffic obstructions. The center of
the roadway w ill be plowed first The snow shall then be pushed from left to nght The discharge
shall go onto the boulevard area of the street In times of extreme snowfall, the process of clearing
the streets of snow may be delayed, and it may not be reasonably possible to completely clear the
streets of snow
H Pohcy /snowplow2003
SNOWPLOWING POLICY
Generally, operations shall continue until all roads are passable Widening and clean up
operations may continue immediately or on the following working day depending upon conditions
and eircumstances Due to safety concerns for the plow operators and the public, operations maybe
terminated after 10 -12 hours to allow personnel adequate time for rest
4. Snow Removal
The Public Works Superintendent will determine when snow will be removed by truck from
an area 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 The snow will be removed and hauled to a snow storage area
5 Priorities and Schedule for Which Streets will be Plowed
The Citv has classified City streets based on the street function, traffic volume, and
importance to the welfare of the community Those streets classified as "Snow Plow Routes" will be
plowed first These are high volume streets, which connect major sections of the City and provide
access for emergency fire, police and medical sern ices Exhibit "A" lists the "Snow Plow Routes"
The second priority streets are those streets providing access to schools and commercial
businesses The third priority streets are low volume residential streets The fourth priority areas are
alleys and City parking lots
Snow removal around fire hydrants will be performed when personnel and equipment are
available and will follow the same priorities as explained above
6 Work Schedule for Snowplow Operators
Snowplow operators will be expected to work eight -hour shifts In severe snow emergencies,
operators sometimes have to w ork in excess of 8 -hour shifts Operators will take a fifteen minute
break over 2 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
7 Weather Conditions
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, ice and limited visibility
E
SNOWPLOWING POLICY
Use of Sand, Salt and Other Chemicals
The City will use sand, salt and other chemicals when there is hazardous ice or slippery
conditions The City is concerned about the cost and the effect of such chemicals on the
environment and may limit its use for that reason
Sidewalks /Trails
The City will maintain some of the sidewalks /trails in the City as listed on Exhibit `B" As
there is a limited number of personnel available, the City will only maintain these sidewalks after the
streets have been plowed Trails in City parks are not going to be plowed
Under heavy snowfall conditions, which interfere with sidewalk snowplowing, the Public
Works Department may discontinue sidewalk snowplowing
According to City ordinances (Chapter 4) snow removal from sidewalks and trails is the
responsibility of the adjacent homeowner If notice has been sent to owner /occupant and snow has
not been removed, the City may remove the snow and ice and charge the cost of the removal through
all means available against the adjacent property The flat fee rate to cover thi s cost is set per the Fee
Resolution The City reserves the right to charge extra costs iii extraordinary situations
10 Right-of-Way Use
The intent of the right -of -way is to provide room for snow storage, public and private
utilities, sidewalks, street lights, signage and other City uses However certain private improv ements
such as mailboxes are required within this area Other private improvements are not required
a Mailbox
Mailboxes and posts should be constructed sturdily enough to withstand snow rolling off a
plow or w mg
The City will bear the cost of the repair of a damaged mailbox only if it is a result of City
equipment actually hitting the mailbox Damage resulting from snow is the responsibility of
the property owner /resident The City will make temporary repairs to mailboxes for mail
delivery if City plows actually hit a mailbox When weather and time permits, the Public
Works Department will complete the repairs
All replacement mailboxes and posts shall be a standard size non decorative type All costs
over and above replacement of this standard type are the responsibility of the mailbox owner
Mailboxes must be installed in such a manner as to provide access by Post Office personnel
or other parcel carriers and to allow for Public Works equipment to maintain the streets A
drawing showing the proper details for mailbox placement is attached as Exhibit "C"
SNOWPLOWING POLICY
b Boulevard Sod
The City shall, when it receives a complaint, record the location of alleged damage to sod
caused by contact with the City snowplow for review by the Public Works Department in the
spring when the extent of the alleged damage can be verified Frequently the damage looks
more severe immediately after occurring than it does when the snow has melted in the spring
If the sod needs repair as determined by the Public Works Department, the Public Works
Department shall either sod or seed the damaged area New topsoil maybe placed if deemed
necessary The cost of the repairs are borne by the City
Imgation Lighting, Trees, Fences, Etc
The City will assume no responsibility for damage to underground irrigation systems, private
lighting systems, trees, shrubs, rocks, fences or similar landscaping installed in City
controlled right -of -way or easements
d Solid Waste (Garbage) Recycling Bins
The City will assume no responsibility for damage to solid waste (garbage) or recycling bins
Solid Waste (garbage) and recyclable containers awaiting pickup should be at least 8 feet
4 feet behind the curblme
11 Snowbirds
City Code, Chapter 8, Section 8 -2 -2 prohibits parking during a snow emergency A snow
emergency is declared when a 2 -inch or more snowfall occurs and continues until that street has been
plowed to the curb
SNOWPLOWING POLICY
EXHIBIT "A"
SNOB" PLOW ROUTES
STREET
FROM
TO
130 Street West
TH 3
Bacardi Avenue
140`' Street East
Blaine Avenue
CSAH 42
143rd Street West
Cameo Avenue
TH 3
145th Street West
Diamond Path
CSAH 42
151x` Court West
151st Street West
Shannon Parkway
Canada Avenue
155th Street West
Shannon Parkway
Chippendale Avenue
Biscayne Av enue
Connemara Trail
Boulder Trail
Boulder Trail
Biscayne Avenue
Boulder Avenue (including)
Brazil Avenue
Public Works Mann Bldg
145'' Street West
Business Parkway
CSAH 42
Boulder Trail
Cameo Avenue
145th Strcet West
143rd Street West
Canada Avenue
CSAH 42
TH 3
Carousel Way
Chippendale Avenue
151st Street West
Chili Avenue
145th Street West
143 Street
Chippendale Avenue
145th Street West
160th Street West
Cimanon AN enue
CSAH 42
151 Street West
Claret Avenue
CSAH 42
151 s Street West
Conley Avenue
CSAH 42
140' Street East
Connemara Ti ail
Diamond Path
B lrRP RR-
I
vrr �rvr
c�va rr rcrrac
Autumn Path
Crestone Avenue
CSAH 42
151" Street West
Delft A� enue
Dodd Boulevard
Upper 148th Street
Dodd Boulevaid
Delft Avenue
Chippendale Avenue
Evermoor Parkway
Diamond Path
Connemara Trail
Pine Bend Trail
Hwy 55
RR Tracks (bituminous)
Shannon Parkway
McAndrews Road
160th Street
Upper 148th Street
Diamond Path
Delft Avenue
SNOWPLOWING POLICY
EXHIBIT `B"
SIDEWALK/BIKE PATH CORRIDOR ROUTES PLOWED BY THE CITY
ROUTE
FROM
TO
145th Street West
Diamond Path
Chippendale Avenue
160 Street West
Biscayne Avenue
Diamond Path
Biscayne Avenue
Boulder Trail
Connemara Trail
Canada A enue
147th Street
144th Street
Chill Avenue
145th Street
143rd Street
Chippendale Avenue
160th Street
145th Street
Connemara Trail
Diamond Path
glove an
Birchwood Avenue
CSAH 42
Diamond Path
TH 3 (South Robert Trail)
Dodd Boulevard
Chippendale Ax enue
CSAH 42
Shannon Parkway
160th Street
C R 38 (McAndrews Road)
Evermoor Parkway
Shannon Parkway
Connemara Trail