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Memo Snowplowing PoliciesCITY OF HOPKINS MEMORANDUM DATE: September 13, 1991 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Lee Gustafson, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Snowplowing Policies Last winter a couple of problems developed with regard to the snowplowing policy notification and towing procedures. The problems that developed appeared to have been caused by the absence of clearly defining these issues within the policy. The public reaction to these problems strongly indicated that the existing snowplowing policy should be revised to clearly address these issues prior to beginning another snowplowing season. Toward the end of last year's snowplowing season, a notification procedure was put into effect that appears to have resolved many of the concerns with regards to notifying residents when the plows are coming out. The new procedure was twofold, and first consisted of placing a recorded message on the Police Department's "SNOW LINE." This recorded message allowed citizens to call directly to an answering machine and find out if a snow emergency had been declared. The second portion of the new notification procedure consisted of the Police Department notifying WCCO AM radio and WCCO TV to request public notification of the snow emergency. The comments that staff received last year on the new notification procedure was very favorable and clearly indicated that the new notification procedures should be a permanent part of our snowplowing operations. These notification procedures can be found under Section 4.05 in the attached procedures. The towing problem that developed last year (in almost every city) was due to an odd snowfall that occurred during the night after most people were in bed. Normal procedures were generally followed for plowing that necessitated the Police Department to tow vehicles. Unfortunately, most people were in bed before it snowed and did not. realize that they may be towed. This situation naturally developed some unpleasant comments from those people who were towed, which made everyone wonder if our policy needed clarification. Staff has since that time reviewed this matter and determined that additional language was needed in our snowplowing policy. Section 4.03 was added to define how late a snow emergency could be declared and subsequent towing operations begin. It also stipulates that if a snow emergency is declared after 10:00 p.m., towing operations cannot begin.until 8:00 a.m. the following day. Staff feels that this revision will provide the residents with security that we are not going to tow their cars if a similar situation as outlined above occurs. The attached snowplowing policy is quite different than the policy that was used last year. Entire sections were added or significantly changed such as "Purpose," "Policy," and "Procedures," to reflect certain issues that have in'the past been used in legal matters. The League of Minnesota Cities suggested similar policy language such as this approximately two years ago in an attempt to provide cities with a stronger policy for operations. .Staff would like Council's input on these policy changes and possibly have Council give formal approval of this entire snowplowing policy. City of Hopkins Public Works Policy Number SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICIES AND - PROCEDURES 1. PURPOSE 1.01 The City of Hopkins 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 provide such control in a safe and cost effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget, personnel and environmental concerns. The city will use city employees, equipment and /or private contractors to provide this service. 2. CITY CODES 2.01 Hopkins City Codes 1305.31 and 1305.33 are referenced and provide the basis for this policy. 3. POLICY .3.01 The Hopkins Public Works Department shall endeavor to maintain the city's street system in a safe and travelable condition. Snowplowing and sanding operations will be accomplished by subdividing the city's transportation system into a number of snowplowing routes equal to the number of snowplowing vehicles available. Within each of the areas, the collector and thoroughfare streets are defined as well as areas of steep grades and hazardous alignments that need extra care. Equipment is assigned to these zones based on the amount of effort required. The call out of equipment is dependent upon the time and severity of the snowfall. The most critical times are morning and evening rush hour periods. The plan is designed, it at all feasible, to have the snow removed from collectors, thoroughfares, and hazardous areas prior to the beginning of these rush hour periods. Subsequent to the priorities of the rush hour period, the remaining streets in residential and commercial areas are plowed. 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 inches. 4. SNOW EMERGENCIES 4.01 Hopkins City Code prohibits parking on any public street or parking lot, including the parking ramp, after a snowfall of two ( 2 ) inches or more until the street has been plowed to the curb or removed from the street The depth of the snow determined by city monitoring device(s). 4.02 Cars normally parked on the street should be relocated to a parking area off the street when there is a snowfall of two (2) inches or more. The city offers two locations for parking during this time: 1) Lot 300 north of Downtown Park, and 2) Railroad right -of -way between 9th and 20th Avenues. Cars parked on the street or in a municipal parking lot (other than the two mentioned above) may be ticketed and towed to allow for efficient snowplowing. 4.03 Snow emergencies may be declared by the Public Works Department whenever a snow accumulation is two inches or greater. Snow emergencies declared after 10 p.m. will result in - towing - operations beginning at 8 a.m. on the following day. 4.04 If a snow emergency is declared, the Police Department will initiate notification procedures and will coordinate with public works on the removal of illegally parked vehicles. 4.05 Notification of snow emergencies will be accomplished in two ways: / 1. Police Department will place a recorded message on the Police Department's "SNOW LINE" detailing local snow plowing /towing regulations, whether or not a "snow emergency" has been declared, and procedures to follow when claiming a vehicle that has been towed. The snow line may be accessed by dialing 939 -1399. 2. Police Department will notify WCCO AM radio and WCCO TV to request public notification of a snow emergency and to outline the regulations stated in Section 4.01 and 4.02. 4.06 Coordination of the towing and retrieving of vehicles shall be the responsibility of the Police Department. 5. PROCEDURE 5.01 How snow will be plowed Snow will be plowed in-a manner so as to minimize any traffic obstructions. In most situations, 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. When a plow goes on a bridge, the driver shall slow down so that snow does not go over the bridge if possible. In times of extreme snowfall, streets will not always immediately be able to be completely cleared of snow. 5.02 Snow Removal The Public Works Department 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. The snow storage area will be located so as to minimize environmental problems. 5.03 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 having high priority 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. 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 area are alleys and city parking lots. As mentioned in the policy statement, the.snowplowing and sanding operations will be accomplished by subdividing the city's transportation system into a number of snowplowing routes equal to the number of snowplowing vehicles available. • 5.04 Work schedule for snowplow operators Snowplow operators will be expected to work eight -hour shifts. In severe snow emergencies, operators sometimes have to work in excess of eight -hour shifts. However, because of budget and safety concerns, the city will try not to work operators more than 12 hours in any 24 -hour period. 5.05 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 and limited visibility. 5.06 Use of sand, salt and other chemicals The city will use sand, salt, and other chemicals when there are hazardous ice or slippery conditions. The city is concerned about the effect of such chemicals on the environment and will limit its use for that reason. 6. SIDEWALKS 6.01 Sidewalks - Hopkins City Code requires an owner or the occupant of any property adjacent to a public sidewalk to remove snow or ice within 12 hours of its deposit. If this is not done, the city may remove the snow or ice and bill the property owner. Compliance with this ordinance requirement will help ensure the safety of all. 7. REFUSE CONTAINERS 7.01 Hopkins legislative policies require that refuse containers be accessible for pick -up and placed off street or alley to allow snow removal. This container may have to be placed in the driveway to meet both of these requirements. It is the responsibility of the resident to see that the container is not in the way of the snowplow and is also in a spot accessible to the garbage truck. Whenever possible, the Public Works Department will attempt to plow the refuse pick -up route early. 8 MAILBOXES 8.01 Mailboxes damaged during snow removal will not be replaced by the city, unless there is physical evidence that the snow removal vehicle actually hit the mailbox. If, due to snow build -up on the boulevards, mailboxes are tipped or knocked over from the weight of the snow, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to repair or replace the mailbox. If the city is responsible, the mailbox will be replaced with comparable quality items. Residents are responsible for keeping the mailbox cleared for Post Office deliveries. 9. FIRE HYDRANTS 8.01 Fire hydrants are critical to minimize the potential losses involved in any fire. The Public Works and Fire Departments attempt to clear access to hydrants as quickly as possible after a`storm. Residents are encouraged to assist the city by clearing hydrants near their property. If possible, they should be cleared five feet on each side to allow Fire Department access. 10. SAFETY 10.1 Minnesota statute and Hopkins City Code prohibit plowing, shoveling, blowing, or placing snow onto public roadways and boulevards. Placing snow on a public roadway can subject a person to civil liability if a road hazard, such as a slippery area, frozen rut, or bump occurs and causes a traffic accident.