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Sample
Snow Plow
Ordinance
CITY OF
____________ SNOWPLOWING POLICY
1. INTRODUCTION
The City of ___________ 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. WHEN WILL THE CITY START SNOW OR ICE CONTROL
OPERATIONS?
The Mayor, Street Superintendent or Maintenance Department
personnel will decide when to begin snow or ice control operations. The criteria
for that decision are:
A. Snow accumulation of 2 inches or more;
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 use of
streets.
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 2 inches.
3. HOW SNOW WILL BE PLOWED
Snow will be plowed in a manner so as to minimize any
traffic obstructions. 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. In times of extreme snowfall, streets will not
always immediately be able to be completely cleared of snow.
4. SNOW REMOVAL
The Mayor, Street Superintendent or Maintenance Department
personnel will determine when snow will be removed by truck from the 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. 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. Routes
will be plowed in the most cost effective and timely manner. Those streets
classified as “Snow Plow Routes” will be plowed first. These are high volume
routes 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 are low volume
residential streets. The fourth priority areas are alleys and city parking
lots.
*NOTE: Map and Appendix A
6. WORK SCHEDULE FOR SNOWPLOW OPERATORS
Snowplow operators will be expected to work eight-hour
shifts. In severe snow emergencies, operators sometimes shall have to work in
excess of eight-hour shifts. However, because of budget and safety concerns, no
operator shall work more than a twelve-hour shift in any twenty-four hour
period. Operators will take a fifteen minute break every two hours with a
half-hour meal break after approximately four hours. After a twelve hour day,
the operators will be replaced if additional qualified personnel are available.
7. WEATHER CONDITIONS
Snow and ice control operations will be conducted only when
weather conditions do not endanger the safety of employees or equipment, and
operations are effective. Factors that may delay snow and ice control operations
include: severe cold, significant winds, limited visibility and rapid
accumulations of snow and/or ice.
8. 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. Even after reasonable care, snow and ice may still build up.
9. SIDEWALKS
Sidewalks are addressed in Ordinance # __________.
10. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
For emergency vehicles responding to emergency situations
(fire, medical, police) within the city, or Fire Department/Police Department
jurisdiction, necessary employees and equipment will be dispatched as soon as
possible.
11. DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY
Only those properties which are installed properly and
allowed by city ordinance to be adjacent to streets and damaged by actual
contact with city equipment, will be considered for repair or replacement at
city expense. Damage to trees, shrubbery and other landscaping will not be
considered for compensation.
Damage to personal vehicles will be considered only if they
are legally parked and only if physically contacted by equipment.
12. PLOWING OF PRIVATE PROPERTY
Unless there is direct benefit to city operations or unless
emergency vehicles need access, there shall be no plowing of private property
with city equipment.
13. STATE OF MINNESOTA PLOWING
Certain streets, such as Highway _______, within the city
are maintained by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and fall under
state maintenance policies.
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