CR 91-239 Approval Of Snow Plow PolicyOctober 30, 1991 P K Council Report: 91 -239
Proposed Action
Staff recommends the following motion: "Move to approve
Legislative Policy #8 -F, Snow and Ice Control Policies and
Procedures".
Adoption of this motion will allow staff to implement the new
procedures for this upcoming winter season.
Overview
On September 17, Council reviewed the . attached new plowing
policy, and basically agreed with all the revisions staff had
made to the policy. The revisions included changes in the towing
policy, and incorporated new procedures for notifying the public
of a snow. emergency. The policy also included specific language
suggested by the League of Minnesota Cities that addresses issues
that had in the past been legal problems.
Primary Issues to Consider
What effect does this revised policy have on the Public
Works and Police departments?
o How will this policy affect the property owners?
o How will Hopkins property owners be notified of these policy
changes?
Supporting Information
Analysis of Issues
Legislative Policy #8 -F
APPROVAL OF SNOW PLOWING POLICY
Le Gus a son, Public Works Director
Council Report: 91 -239
Page 2
Analysis of Issues
o What effect does this revised policy have on the Public
Works and Police departments?
The Public Works department will only notice a difference
from the old policy when a snow emergency is declared after
10:00 p.m. The new policy does not allow the Police
department to begin towing operations until 8:00 a.m. the
following day for this type of situation. Consequently,
their may be a few more cars that are initially plowed
around, thereby requiring more clean up the following day.
The Police department will be required to activate the "Snow
Line" and notify WCCO Radio and T.V. under this policy. The
"Snow Line" is a recorded message that people can call to
hear the latest information on snow plowing and towing
procedures. These activities will take a little more time
than the Police department used to spend preparing for a
snow plowing event.
The Police department may also experience spending more time
during the towing operations. In a situation where a snow
emergency is declared after 10:00 p.m. and towing operations
do not begin until 8:00 a.m. the following day, the Police
department will have to rely on their daytime officers for
this process. These officers are typically busier than the
night shift for normal activities, and as such will not have .
as much time to allocate towards towing operations.
How will this policy affect the property owners?
The most significant changes that the residents will notice
with this policy, is with regard to the notification
procedures mentioned above. They do not have to fear being
towed in the middle of the night if a snow emergency is
declared after 10:00 p.m.
o How will Hopkins property owners be notified of these policy
changes?
The property owners will be notified via inserts in the
Highlights and also from flyers . distributed throughout the
town. There will also be information sent our over the
cable channel, and from articles written in the Sailor.
1. PURPOSE
POLICY #S -F
SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
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 is 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.
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LPM - Policy #8 -F
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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:
a. 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 9394399.
b. 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.
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LPM - Policy #8 -F
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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
9.01 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.
LPM - Policy #8 -F
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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.
Established 10/17/91
City of Hopkins