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A-1. Snow Plowing and Ice Control PolicyCITY OF MEMORANDUM CHA NSEN TO: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager 7700 Market Boulevard PO Box 147 FROM: Paul Oehme, Director of Public Works /City Engineer Chanhassen, MN 55317 1 DATE: August 22, 2011 Administration Phone: 952.227.1100 SUBJ: Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy - PW309 Fax: 952.227.1110 Building Inspections Phone: 952.227.1180 BACKGROUND Fax: 952.227.1190 The City's policy for snow plowing and ice control was adopted in 1996. The Engineering policy covers snow and ice control on city streets and plowing of pedestrian trails. Phone: 952.227.1160 Fax: 952.227.1170 During a "normal" snow event the street superintendent calls plow drivers in to Finance start plowing the streets at 3:00 a.m. This time will vary depending on street Phone: 952.227.1140 conditions and weather reports. The Carver County Sheriff's office may also Fax: 952.227.1110 request snow and ice control operations to start sooner in some areas. The snow plowing operation will start according to the following criteria: Park &Recreation Phone: 952.227.1120 A. Snow accumulation of approximately two or more inches; Fax: 952.227.1110 B. Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel; Recreation Center C. Icy conditions which seriously affect travel; and 2310 Coulter Boulevard D. Time of snowfall in relationship to heavy usage of streets (i.e. weekday Phone: 952.227.1400 a.m. and p.m. commuter periods) Fax: 952.227.1404 Snow will be plowed in a manner to provide access as soon as possible and to Planning & Natural Resources minimize traffic obstructions. Streets and cul -de -sacs are initially lowed with a Y p Phone: 952.227.1130 single pass to open all routes as soon as possible. After all routes are open, streets Fax: 952.227.1110 and cul -de -sacs are then plowed curb to curb. It is the Street Department's goal to have the entire street system cleaned after a "typical" snowfall in approximately Public Works 10 hours, assuming a general plowing operation beginning at 3:00 a.m. with 7901 Park Place snowfall ending by 7:00 a.m. Opening up most streets before the normal morning Phone: 952.227.1300 rush hour is not only an important service level the City provides but is also an Fax: 952.227.1310 important safety component of the operation. Depending on snowfall conditions Senior Center and the duration of the storm, cleanup operations can widely fluctuate. Cleanup Phone: 952.227.1125 operations are handled with plow trucks, loaders and pickup trucks with plows Fax: 952.227.1110 depending on the situation. Web site The City paid out about $18,000 in overtime for snow plowing in 2010. On www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us average, the amount of overtime earned for each snow event is $2,200. However, overtime is not always paid out; some employees prefer to take the overtime as comp time. The City does not pay double time pay over holidays, only the normal time and one half multiplier for working over an 8 hour day. Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow Todd Gerhardt Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy August 22, 2011 Page 2 The City is concerned about the effect of salt and sand on the environment and will limit its use for that reason. 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. Each year the Public Works Street Maintenance Division prepares a map of the city showing the City- maintained street system. The city is divided into 14 routes in which ice control and snow removal will be performed. The routes are periodically revised to correspond with equipment, personnel resources available and new local streets added each year with development. The equipment is assigned for each route based on availability of operators and the effort required for the control of ice and snow. Street plowing routes are handled by all Public Works departments. This includes Streets, Fleet, Utilities and Parks departments. Every employee for each of these departments has plowed or can fill in for a regular plow route driver. Attachments g: \eng \public \pw309 snowplowing \ws bkgd 082211 snow plow policy.doc City of Chanhassen, Minnesota Departments & Services: Public Works Page 1 of 2 W ! i ry � Contact Us I Job Opportunities I Site Inde Ilk August 12, 2011 Chanhassen. n tree of sweet sap Quick List Inside City Hall Our Community Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy Parks & Rec. Safety in the City p 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 Seasonal Tips ice control for routine travel and emergency services in an effort to serve the greatest number of vehicles possible, given safety, budget, personnel and Depts. &. Services environmental constraints. The City will use City employees and equipment to provide this service. In extreme emergency situations, private contractors may be Administration employed to assist in providing this service. Building Community Dev. II. POLICY Engineering 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 Finance into routes in which ice control and snow removal will be performed. The routes are periodically revised to correspond with budgetary, equipment and personnel Library resources available and new local streets added each year with development The equipment is assigned for each route based on availability and the effort Mops 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 Natural Resources emergency fire, police and medical services will be plowed first. The second priority streets are those streets providing access to schools and commercial Permits & Licenses businesses. The third priority streets are low- volume, local residential streets and cul -de -sacs. Projects Property Information III. COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS Public Wearinps Snow plowing and /or ice control operations shall commence under the direction of the Street Superintendent. In his absence, the Superintendent's designated Pub is Works representative will confer with the Public Works Director and /or determine when and where operations will begin in accordance with the following criteria: Street Maintenance Winter Parking A' Snow accumulation of approximately two or more inches; Snow Removal B. Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel; Hydrant Flushing C. Icy conditions which seriously affect travel; and Meter Replacement D. Time of snowfall in relationship to heavy usage of streets (i e. weekday a.m. and p.m. commuter periods). Water Emergencies Water Facts IV. SNOW PLOWING PROCEDURES Water Treatment Report 4l�'ater Treatment Snow will be plowed in a manner to provide access as soon as possible and to minimize traffic obstructions. Streets and cul - - sacs are initially p lowed with a Senior center 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 Staff Directory goal to have the entire street system cleaned after a "typical" snowfall in approximately 10 hours, assuming a general plowing operation beginning at 3:00 a m. Utility Billing with snowfall ending by 7:00 a.m. However, depending on snowfall conditions and the duration of the storm, cleanup operations can widely fluctuate. FAOs `� V. SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS Home I 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 City of Chanhassen 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 7700 Market Blvd other circumstances. Operations may also be suspended during time periods of limited visibility, significant winds or severe cold so as to not jeopardize the PO Box 147 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 Chanhassen MN 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 55317 952- 227 -1100 VI USE OF SAND AND SALT Fax 952- 227 -1110 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 Disclaimer 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. 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. VIII. SNOW STORAGEAMNG 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. 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. http: / /www.ci.chanhassen .mn.us /sery /pw /snowpol.html 8/12/2011 City of Chanhassen, Minnesota Departments & Services: Public Works Page 2 of 2 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. 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. Writer 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 maybe 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. 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. 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. 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 City of Chanhassen 2011 http: / /www.ei. chanhassen .mn.us /sery /pw /snowpol.html 8/12/2011 Mm—wa :n,a wrsme si H,i hms2arx.._..___ - ' _ -__— a, Route 4 Pafke, S—, Water �t Lake r��'ptl�■. 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