Loading...
2. Severe Weather Policy CITY OF MEMORANDUM CHANHASSEN TO: Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director 7700 Market Boulevard FROM: Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation Superintendent PO Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 DATE: July 16, 2010 Administration SUBJ: Severe Weather Policy Phone: 952.227.1100 Fax: 952.227.1110 Building Inspections Recent weather events have forced our department to determine whether or not Phone: 952.227.1180 programs or athletic events should be cancelled. Attached is a draft Severe Weather Fax: 952.227.1190 Policy that identifies certain weather situations and the procedures to follow to keep our customers safe while attending city- sponsored events. The draft policy will Engineering guide us through our decision - making process and provide consistency in making Phone: 952.227.1160 those decisions. Our main goal is to ensure that we provide a safe environment for Fax: 952.227.1170 our customers. Finance Phone: 952.227.1140 STAFF RECOMMENDATION Fax: 952.227.1110 It is staff's recommendation that the Park & Recreation Commission review the Park &Recreation attached Severe Weather Policy and recommend approval to the City Council. Phone: 952.227.1120 Fax: 952.227,1110 ATTACHMENT Recreation Center 2310 Coulter Boulevard 1. Severe Weather Policy Phone: 952.227.1400 Fax: 952.227.1404 Planning & Natural Resources Phone: 952.227.1130 Fax: 952.227.1110 Public Works 1591 Park Road Phone: 952.227.1300 Fax: 952.227.1310 Senior Center Phone: 952.227.1125 Fax: 952.227.1110 Web Site www.ci.chanhassen.mn,us g: \park \weather policy \weathcr policy merno.doc Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow 10f CITY Of' CHANHASSEN WEATHER SAFETY /POLICIES It is our policy to cancel recreation activities when the National Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning (blizzard, tornado, lightening or thunderstorms). A severe weather warning is an alert issued to warn an area that severe weather may be imminent. It can be issued after severe weather has already been spotted, or if there are radar indications that severe weather may be possible. If a weather watch is issued by the National Weather Service, all recreation activities will be held as scheduled. A severe weather watch is issued when weather conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather in and close to the watch area. A watch does not imply that the severe weather is actually occurring; only that conditions have created a risk for it. The guidelines below are to be used if severe weather does develop while a recreation activity is in progress. • If weather sirens are sounded, all recreation activities are over immediately and participants should leave the park area or seek shelter immediately. • The safest place during severe weather is inside a sturdy building. • Always have the class list for the activity, which should indicate participant names and contact numbers. For ongoing activities, keep daily attendance and the class list on hand. • Stay alert to changing weather conditions THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTENING SAFETY If lightening is seen or thunder is heard, activity must wait 15 minutes and may resume only if it has been determined that the lightening is no longer a threat. I g g g t ea It does not have to be raining for lightening to be a threat, lightening can strike over large distances. TORNADO SAFETY If you hear the tornado warning sirens or see a tornado, seek the best possible shelter immediately. Avoid using the telephone, but make one call to the Park & Recreation Department at 952 - 227 -1100 or 952 - 227 -1400. Tell them your name, position, situation and activity. MAKE CALL AFTER PARTICIPANTS HAVE REACHED THE BEST POSSIBLE SHELTER. • If no suitable structure is nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch or depression and use your hands to cover your head. COLD WEATHER /SNOW /BLIZZARD CONDITIONS The weather will determine if the rinks will be closed (severe cold or thawing). Always call the supervisor or the Park and Recreation Department before opening the rink or closing early if there is a possibility of weather forcing closure. • Generally, a temperature of -15 or wind chill of -15 or below will force the closure of outdoor rinks.