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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.k. Revision to Snowplowing PolicyCITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2001 AGENDA ITEM: REVISION TO SNOWPLOWING POLICY AGENDA SECTION: CONSENT PREPARED BY: PAULA GRAFF, RESOURCES COORDINATOR AGEND .. 6 K HUMAN ATTACHMENTS: SNOWPLOWING APPROVED BY: " V Minor revisions to the snowplowing policy have been made to reflect the recent changes of the parking ordinance (number 12) and to also update Snow Plow and Sidewalk Corridor plowing routes (Exhibits A and B). The revised policy is attached for Council review. RECOMMENDED ACTION: MOTION TO AUTHORIZE REVISIONS TO THE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT SNOWPLOWING POLICY. COUNCIL ACTION: N SNOWPLOWING POLICY PUBLIC WORKS POLICY NO. M -1 CITY OF ROSEMOUNT SNOWPLOWING POLICY 1. Introduction/Purpose Adopted by City Council on 10 -15 -96 Revised on 12 =04 -01 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 concerns. The City will use its employees, City owned or rented equipment and/or private contractors to provide this service. This policy supersedes any and all previously written or unwritten policies of the City regarding snow and ice removal. When Will City Start Snow or Ice Control Operations? The Public Works Superintendent determines when snow or ice control operations will begin. The criteria for that decision. are: 3. A. Snow accumulation of two (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 two (2) inches. How Snow will be Plowed Snow will be plowed in a manner so as to minimize any traffic obstructions. The center of the roadway will be plowed first. The snow shall then be pushed from left to right. 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. 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 circumstances. Due to safety concerns for the plow operators and the public, operations may be terminated after 10 -12 hours to allow personnel adequate time for rest. T SNOWPLOWING POLICY 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 City 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 services. 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 (8) hour shifts. In severe snow emergencies, operators may have to work in excess of eight (8) hour shifts. Operators will take a 15- minute break over two (2) hours with a half -hour meal break after four (4) hours. After a 12 -hour work period, 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. 8. 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. 9. 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. V W SNOWPLOWING POLICY Under heavy snowfall conditions that interfere with sidewalk snowplowing, the Public Works Department may discontinue sidewalk snowplowing. According to City Ordinance (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 this cost is set per the Fee Resolution. The City reserves the right to charge extra costs in 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, streetlights, signage and other City uses. However certain private improvements such as mailboxes are required within this area. Other private improvements are not required. a. Mailboxes Mailboxes and posts should be constructed sturdily enough to withstand snow rolling off a plow or wing. 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 ". 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 may be placed if deemed necessary. The costs of the repair are borne by the City. c. Irrigation, 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. 3 r SNOWPLOWING POLICY 12. Seasonal Parking Restrictions According to Rosemount City Code 8 -2 -2 C No person shall park a vehicle or permit it to stand upon any public street, highway or alley or permit the same to stand on a street, highway, or alley during the following times: a. At any time after a snowfall, wind or other weather condition has resulted in an accumulation of snow of two inches (2 ") or more in depth on the public street, highway or alley until the street, highway or alley is plowed curb to curb. b. Between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. between November 1 and April l of each calendar year. This ordinance is designed to protect public safety. Strict enforcement begins November 1 and ends April 1. Violators will be issued citations and may also be subject to towing and impoundment at the owner's expense. F Z SNOWPLOWING POLICY EXHIBIT "A" SNOW PLOW ROUTES Connemara Trail Diamond Path Shannon Parkway Shannon Parkway McAndrews Road 160th Street Dodd Boulevard Delft Avenue Chippendale Avenue Delft Avenue Dodd Boulevard Upper 148th Street Upper 148th Street Diamond Path Delft Avenue 145th Street West Diamond Path CSAH 42 Chili Avenue 145th Street West School Property Chippendale Avenue 145th Street West 160th Street West Cameo Avenue 145th Street West 143rd Street West 143rd Street West School Property TH 3 155th Street West Shannon Parkway Chippendale Avenue Biscayne Avenue Birch Street CSAH 42 151 st Street West Chippendale Avenue Canada Avenue Canada Avenue CSAH 42 TH 3 Carousel Way Chippendale Avenue 151 st Street West Evermoor Parkway Diamond Path Shannon Parkway 5 r SNOWPLOWING POLICY EXHIBIT "B" SIDEWALK CORRIDOR ROUTES PLOWED BY THE CITY 2OUTE Shannon Parkway FR`U1�I 160th Street TO County Road 38 (McAndrews Road) Dodd Boulevard Chippendale Avenue Delft Avenue CSAH 42 Diamond Path TH 3 (South Robert Trail) 145th Street West Diamond Path Chianti Avenue Chippendale Avenue 160th Street 145th Street Chili Avenue 145th Street 143rd Street Canada Avenue 147th Street 145th Street Connemara Trail Diamond Path Copper Court Biscayne Avenue CSAH 42 Birch Street .1