II. POLICY
Each year the Public Works Department Street Maintenance Division prepares a map of the City showing the City-maintained street system. The City is divided into routes in which ice control and snow removal will be performed. The routes are periodically revised to correspond with budgetary, equipment and personnel resources available and new local streets added each year with development. The equipment is assigned for each route based on availability and the effort required for the control of ice and snow. In general, the higher-volume collector streets which connect major sections of the City and provide primary access for emergency fire, police and medical services will be plowed first. The second priority streets are those streets providing access to schools and commercial businesses. The third priority streets are low-volume, local residential streets and cul-de-sacs.

III. COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Snow plowing and/or ice control operations shall commence under the direction of the Street Superintendent. In his absence, the Superintendent’s designated representative will confer with the Public Works Director and/or determine when and where operations will begin in accordance with the following criteria:

1. Snow accumulation of approximately two or more inches;
2. Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel;
3. Icy conditions which seriously affect travel; and
4. Time of snowfall in relationship to heavy usage of streets (i.e. weekday a.m. and p.m. commuter periods).

V. SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS
Generally, operations will continue until all roads are passable. Widening and cleanup operations may continue immediately or on the following work day depending upon conditions and circumstances. Safety of the plow operators and the public is important. Therefore, snowplowing/removal operations may be terminated after 10 to 12 hours to allow personnel adequate time for rest. There may be instances where this is not possible depending on storm conditions and other circumstances. Operations may also be suspended during time periods of limited visibility, significant winds or severe cold so as to not jeopardize the safety of City employees and equipment. Any decision to suspend operations shall be made by the Street Superintendent based on the conditions of the storm. The City will still provide access for emergency fire, police and medical services on an “as-needed” basis during a major snow or ice storm.

VI. USE OF SAND AND SALT
The City is concerned about the effect of salt and sand on the environment and will limit its use for that reason. Therefore, it is the policy of the City to utilize salt and sand at locations where there are hazardous or slippery conditions. This provides for traction but is not intended to provide bare pavement during winter conditions. The City will not be responsible for damage to grass caused by salt and sand and therefore will not make repairs or compensate residents for salt and sand damage to turf areas in the street right-of-way.

VII. PROPERTY DAMAGE
Snowplowing and ice control operations can cause property damage even under the best of circumstances and care on the part of the operators. The primary types and area of potential damage are typically related to private improvements made within the City right-of-way which extends approximately 10 to 15 feet beyond the curb location. The intent of the right-of-way is to provide room for snow storage, utilities, sidewalks and other City uses.

1. Mailboxes - Mailboxes should be constructed sturdily enough to withstand snow rolling off a plow or wing. While the installation of mailboxes on City right-of-way is permitted, the mailbox owner assumes all risk of damage except when a mailbox is damage through contact by a plow blade, wing, or other piece of equipment. If a mailbox is damaged due to direct contact by snow plowing equipment, the City, at its option, will repair or replace the mailbox at a cost not to exceed $30.00. Damage resulting from snow rolling off a plow or wing is the responsibility of the resident.

2. Landscaping - Property owners assume all risk of damage for landscaping, including nursery and inanimate materials that are installed or encroach on City right-of-way. The City assumes no responsibility for damage incurred to these non-permitted elements as a result of snow plowing and ice control activities with the exception that lawns that are scraped or gouged by City equipment will be repaired by top dressing and seeding the following spring. In addition, inanimate materials such as boulders, timbers, etc. are a hazard and can cause damage to plow equipment.

3. Other Private Installations - The City will assume no responsibility for underground lawn sprinkling systems, exterior lighting systems, underground electronic dog fences or any other non-permitted features privately installed in City right-of-way.

IX. DRIVEWAYS
One of the most frequent and irritable problems in plowing snow from public streets is snow deposited in driveways. The operators make every attempt to minimize the amount of snow deposited in driveways; however, due to the inherent design of plow equipment, the amount can still be significant. Due to established priorities and staffing levels, City personnel do not provide driveway cleaning. Possible exceptions are at the discretion of the Street Superintendent for a fire or medical emergency situation.

X. MAIL DELIVERY
The snowplow operators make every effort to remove snow as close to the curb line as practical and to provide access to mailboxes for the U.S. Postal Service. However, it is not possible to provide perfect conditions and at the same time minimize damage to mailboxes. Therefore, the final cleaning adjacent to mailboxes is the responsibility of each resident.

XI. COMPLAINTS
Complaints regarding snow plowing and ice control or property damage will be taken by the Street Maintenance Department during normal weekday business hours. Complaints involving access to property or problems requiring immediate attention will be handled on a priority basis. Typical response time should be within 24 hours for any complaint. It should be understood that complaint responses are to insure that the provisions of this policy have been fulfilled and that all residents of the City have been treated uniformly. It is the City’s intent to monitor the complaints received and upgrade this policy when appropriate and feasible within the constraints of City resources.

XII. SIDEWALKS
The policy for winter maintenance of public sidewalks and trails is administered by the Park Department. A copy of this policy is attached as an addendum to this document.

I. INTRODUCTION
This document is an addendum to the policy governing snowplowing and ice control on public streets. Winter maintenance of public trails and sidewalks is commenced upon completion of winter street maintenance. Park and recreation personnel must complete their assigned street maintenance duties prior to commencing trail and sidewalk maintenance.

II. POLICY
Each year the Park & Recreation Department prepares a map depicting the trails and sidewalks which will be maintained through the winter months. Generally this map includes all 8 ft. wide bituminous on and off-street trails, downtown sidewalks, and “school route” sidewalks. Snow removal and ice control on residential sidewalks is the responsibility of the property owners residing or controlling the properties adjacent to these sidewalks.

III. COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Winter trail and sidewalk maintenance typically commences one full day after a snowfall of two inches or more. Scheduling of work is dependent upon the release of personnel from their street maintenance duties. Priority is awarded downtown trail and sidewalk routes and high use trails.

IV. SNOW STORAGE
In most instances snow and ice removed during the street maintenance is deposited onto the boulevard and sidewalk/trail area. Trail and sidewalk clearing operations result in this snow and ice being placed farther “back” onto the boulevard. In places of extreme confinement, snow and ice may be bladed down a trail or sidewalk for a distance prior to being deposited onto the boulevard.

V. USE OF SAND AND SALT
The City is concerned about the effect of salt and sand on the environment and will limit its use for that reason. Therefore, it is the policy of the City to utilize salt and sand at locations where there are hazardous or slippery conditions. This provides for traction but is not intended to provide bare pavement during winter conditions. The City will not be responsible for damage to grass caused by salt and sand and therefore will not make repairs or compensate residents for salt and sand damage to turf areas in the street right-of-way

VI. PROPERTY DAMAGE
Snowplowing and ice control operations can cause property damage even under the best of circumstances and care on the part of the operators. The primary types and area of potential damage are typically related to private improvements made within the City right-of-way which extends approximately 10 to 15 feet beyond the curb location. The intent of the right-of-way is to provide room for snow storage, utilities, sidewalks and other City uses.

1. Mailboxes - Mailboxes should be constructed sturdily enough to withstand snow rolling off a plow or wing. While the installation of mailboxes on City right-of-way is permitted, the mailbox owner assumes all risk of damage except when a mailbox is damage through contact by a plow blade, wing, or other piece of equipment. If a mailbox is damaged due to direct contact by snow plowing equipment, the City, at its option, will repair or replace the mailbox at a cost not to exceed $30.00. Damage resulting from snow rolling off a plow or wing is the responsibility of the resident.

2. Landscaping - Property owners assume all risk of damage for landscaping, including nursery and inanimate materials that are installed or encroach on City right-of-way. The City assumes no responsibility for damage incurred to these non-permitted elements as a result of snow plowing and ice control activities with the exception that lawns that are scraped or gouged by City equipment will be repaired by top dressing and seeding the following spring. In addition, inanimate materials such as boulders, timbers, etc. are a hazard and can cause damage to plow equipment.

3. Other Private Installations - The City will assume no responsibility for underground lawn sprinkling systems, exterior lighting systems, underground electronic dog fences or any other non-permitted features privately installed in City right-of-way.

X. COMPLAINTS/INQUIRIES
Complaints and inquiries regarding winter maintenance of public trails and sidewalks should be made with the Park Superintendent at the city’s public works facility. The phone number during normal business hours is 952-227-1301. Responses to inquiries shall be made within 24 hours.