1b. Snow Plowing/Ice Control Policy.I MEMORANDUM
CITY OF IL
CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 0 CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
' TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager
FROM: Charles D. Folch, Director of Public Works
' DATE: December 6, 1996
SUBJ: Approve City of Chanhassen Snowplowing and Ice Control Policy - PW -309
The City of Chanhassen, like many other local and county road authorities within the state, have been
providing snowplowing and ice control operations for as long as anyone can remember. The procedures
for carrying out these snowplowing and ice control operations have evolved and been refined through the
years. For the most part, these practices and procedures have been employed in verbal form.
The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, in cooperation with the Office of the Legislative Auditor,
is recommending that all Minnesota cities adopt written snow and ice control policies. Some of the key
benefits of adopting a written policy are: 1.) It provides a written document that guides the Street
Department's winter operations, 2.) It preserves the "discretionary immunity" record. As provided for in
Minnesota Statute 466.03, Governmental Entities are immune from liability for discretionary policy -based
' decisions based on weighing political, social and economic factors, 3.) A written policy helps to minimize
the City's liability exposure by proving that the Department exercised "ordinary and reasonable care" in its
snow removal or ice control operations, 4.) It helps in communication with the public on what the practices
and procedures are and provides a framework to assure that residents in the city are treated uniformly.
I have placed this item on the consent agenda since the issue here is to put in written format the policies and
' procedures which have already been implemented for a number of years now. I would ask that if the
Mayor or any of the Council members has any questions or concerns with this item to please contact me, if
possible, prior to the Council meeting.
' It is therefore recommended the City Council adopt the snowplowing and ice control policy dated
November, 1996.
Attachment: 1. Snowplowing and Ice Control Policy.
2. Resolution
r c: Dave Hempel, Assistant City Engineer
Anita Benson, Project Engineer
' Mike Wegler, Street Superintendent
Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director
\'cfsl\ vol2Ienglcharies�cc�snowplowing policy.doc
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
DATE: RESOLUTION NO:
MOTION BY: SECONDED BY:
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING SNOWPLOWING AND ICE CONTROL POLICY
DATED NOVEMBER, 1996
WHEREAS, a snowplowing and ice control maintenance policy has been developed
and recommended by City Staff, and
WHEREAS, adoption of said policy has been determined to be in the best interest of
the city.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Chanhassen that said snowplowing and ice control policy dated November, 1996 is hereby
approved and adopted.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this day of , 1996.
ATTEST:
Don Ashworth, City Clerk/Manager
YES
Donald J. Chmiel, Mayor
NO
ABSENT
&Neng - nowplow resol.doc
' CITY OF CHANHASSEN
SNOWPLOWING AND ICE CONTROL POLICY
' November, 1996
I. INTRODUCTION
' The City of Chanhassen annually budgets funds for and assumes basic responsibility for
control of snow and ice on City streets. The City will provide snow and ice control for
routine travel and emergency services in an effort to serve the greatest number of vehicles
' possible, given safety, budget, personnel and environmental constraints. The City will use
City employees and equipment to provide this service. In extreme emergency situations,
private contractors may be employed to assist in providing this service.
' 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:
A. Snow accumulation of approximately two or more inches;
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 usage of streets (i.e. weekday a.m. and
p.m. commuter periods).
' IV. SNOW PLOWING PROCEDURES
Snow will be plowed in a manner to provide access as soon as possible and to minimize
' traffic obstructions. Streets and cul -de -sacs are initially p lowed with a single pass to open
all routes as soon as possible. After all routes are open, streets and cul -de -sacs are then
plowed curb to curb. It is the Street Department's goal to have the entire street system
V.
VI.
cleaned after a "typical" snowfall in approximately 10 hours, assuming a general plowing
operation beginning at 3:00 a.m. with snowfall ending by 7:00 a.m. However, depending
on snowfall conditions and the duration of the storm, cleanup operations can widely
fluctuate.
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.
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.
Li
VII. PROPERTY DAMAGE I
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.
A. 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.
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B. 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.
C. 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.
SNOW STORAGE/WING PLOWING
Ongoing snow and ice control efforts require the use of the entire City right -of -way and
easement areas for storage of plowed snow. Depending on the volume of snow, available
storage within the right -of -way can become limited and /or create sight obstructions. Since
it is financially impossible and impractical to remove snow from all boulevards and
intersection corners, the City, at the Street Superintendent's direction, will frequently
"wing plow" snow banks along the right -of -way. This winging operation results in snow
being pushed farther back onto the right -of -way area.
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.
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.
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,
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ADDENDUM NO. 1
' CITY OF CHANHASSEN
WINTER MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC TRAILS
AND SIDEWALKS POLICY
NOVEMBER, 1996
' 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 re ares a ma depicting the trails and
P P P P g
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
VI.
repairs or compensate residents for salt and sand damage to turf areas in the street right -
of -way
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.
A. 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.
B. 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.
C. 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.
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IX. DRIVEWAYS
One of the most frequent and irritable problems in plowing snow from public streets ,
trails and sidewalks 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 or Park Superintendent for a fire or medical emergency
situations.
X. COMPLAINTSANQUIRIES
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 474 -4127. Responses to inquiries shall be
made within 24 hours.
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