HomeMy WebLinkAboutVIII-09 Approve Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy City Council Memorandum
To: Mayor Fasbender & City Council Members
From: Ryan Stempski – Public Works Director/City Engineer
Date: November 6, 2023
Item: Approve Updated Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy
Council Action Requested:
The Council is requested to approve the attached Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy.
Background Information:
The City’s snow removal policy was last updated in 2011. Public Works reviewed and updated the policy
to be current. The existing document was based on the League of Minnesota Cities model policy. No
significant changes are proposed to current practices, policies, and operations. The Snow Removal
Operations Plan was updated to reflect the current snow removal equipment and their impact on
operations.
The Operations Committee was provided the updated policy and did not have any comments or
concerns on the minor changes to make the policy current.
Financial Impact:
Neutral budgetary impact
Attachments:
Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy
VIII-09
Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy
2023
1. Purpose of the Policy
The City of Hastings Public Works Department assumes basic
responsibility for snow and ice control on city-owned streets. The City
of Hastings does not maintain or do snow removal on State or County
Roads. (Hwy’s 61, 316, 55, 47, 42/2nd St. West of Eddy). The City also
does not maintain or do snow removal on private roads. Public Works
will use City employees, equipment, and materials to provide this
service. At times, and with the approval of senior staff, services may be
contracted out on an as-need basis. The City will attempt to provide
such services while keeping safety, budget, personnel, and
environmental concerns in mind. This policy does not relieve operators
of private vehicles, pedestrians, property owners, residents, and all
others using public streets, of their responsibility to act in a prudent
manner, given the conditions.
2. Policy and Procedures
A. When the City will begin Snow or Ice Control
The Public Works Superintendent or designee will decide when
to begin snow or ice control. There are many contributing
factors that may warrant snow/ice control to begin, including
but not limited to:
Snow accumulation or drifting.
Icy conditions which seriously affect travel.
VIII-09
Time of snow in relation to heavy use of streets
In an event where there is freezing rain, ice, or trace amounts of snow,
Public Works staff will make the determination if salting/plowing is
needed, and the amount of personnel and equipment.
B. How Snow will be Plowed
Snow will be plowed in a manner that minimizes traffic
obstructions. The center of the road will be plowed first, with
the snow being pushed left to right until full width, or as close
to full width as conditions allow. The exceptions to this are:
Downtown Area- Driving lanes are cleared and snow is
windrowed to the center, and hauled out at a later time.
One-Way Streets and Center Islands- Snow may be
pushed in either direction.
Snow in cul-de-sacs will normally be plowed to
boulevards (yards), except where a center island exists.
When a cul-de-sac contains a center island, snow will be
plowed towards both the center island and boulevard
areas.
In times of extreme snowfall, streets will not always be
completely cleared of snow. Public Works is not responsible
for mailbox access.
C. Snow Removal
The Downtown area center windrows will be removed the next
normal work day following snow removal operations. Public
Works Staff will determine if and when snow will be removed
VIII-09
from all other areas. Such snow removal will occur in areas
where accumulated snow creates a hazardous condition.
Snow removal operations will not commence until all other
snowplowing operations have been completed. Snow removal
operations may be delayed depending on weather conditions,
personnel, and budget availability. The snow will be removed
and hauled to one of the City’s designated snow storage areas.
D. Priorities and Schedule of Streets to be Plowed
Priority streets within our six plow routes are designated
“Primaries”. Streets with this designation have been selected
based on street function, traffic counts, and importance to the
welfare of the community. The second priority streets are the
remaining lower volume streets (neighborhoods). The third
priority streets are cul-de-sacs and alleys.
During snow events plowing of all other streets may be
stopped, with personnel and equipment being shifted to
priority routes.
E. Work Schedule for Snowplow Operators
Snowplow operators will be expected to work eight to twelve-
hour shifts. No operator will be required to work a continuous
shift greater than twelve hours, which shall include breaks.
During a normal event ten PW Operators, and ten pieces of
equipment are used. (6 Trucks, 3 Tractor/loader, 1- One Ton)
VIII-09
An additional operator is required to complete utility checks at
the Hydro plant, wells, and lift stations, along with any utility
emergencies. In the absence of one or more operators, Public
Works will utilize any remaining operators, Engineering
Technicians with appropriate training, and Parks operators (in
that order) to fill vacancies.
F. Traffic Regulations
The City recognizes that municipal snowplow drivers are
exempt from traffic regulations set forth in Minnesota Statues,
Chapter 169 while actively engaged in work on streets, except
for regulations related to driving while impaired and safety of
school children. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169
G. Weather Conditions
Snow and ice control operations will be conducted only when
weather conditions do not endanger the safety of the
snowplow operator and equipment. Factors that may delay
operations include: severe cold, significant winds, and limited
visibility.
H. Materials Used
The City uses two varieties of treated salt when there are
hazardous ice or slippery conditions. Due to environmental
concerns the City limits the use of such chemicals, and does not
use sand for road treatment.
VIII-09
I. Sidewalks
With the exception of the Downtown area, the City will
conduct snow removal on sidewalks abutting City property and
those sidewalks immediately adjacent to the curbs. All other
maintenance of sidewalks is the responsibility of abutting
property owner.
The City Parks Department will remove snow from sidewalks
abutting City property within 48 hours after the snowfall has
stopped. Public works crews will remove snow from sidewalks
immediately adjacent to curbs, only after all street plowing and
post storm street cleanup is completed, and the windrowed
snow in the Downtown area is removed.
J. Mailboxes
Mailboxes may be impacted by snow removal operations. The
City’s goal of “curb to curb” is not always attainable given
conditions. This can impact the US Postal Services access, and
may impede their ability to deliver mail. The City will not be
responsible for mailbox accessibility issues.
Only mailboxes directly hit by a plow blade will be the
responsibility of City to repair. The City will not be responsible
for damage to mailboxes or support posts caused by snow or
ice (wake from plow) coming into contact with the mailbox.
The City will conduct a review of each mailbox incident to
determine where the responsibility lies.
If it is determined the City is responsible for repairs, the City at
its discretion, offers two options:
VIII-09
1. At the owner’s request, replace the mailbox with a standard
size, non-decorative metal mailbox and replace post with a
4x4 decay resistant wood post, if necessary. Mailbox to be
installed per USPS requirements.
2. Provide the mailbox owner reimbursement of $75 to do
repairs on their own.
K. Repair of Boulevard Turf Damage
During snow removal operations, the City or its contractors
may cause damage to turf adjacent to streets and/or sidewalks.
When Public Works notices or is notified of such damage, the
location is noted and inspected once conditions allow. If repairs
are deemed necessary, Public Works will seed and topsoil spots
in the spring.
L. Irrigation, Lighting, Trees, Fences, Etc.
The City assumes no responsibility for damage to irrigation
systems, private lighting, trees, shrubs, specialty grasses, rocks,
landscaping or structural improvements around mailboxes and
fences, or similar landscaping installed in City right-of-way or
easements.
M. Trash Containers
The City assumes no responsibility for damage to trash
containers. Trash containers must remain behind curb to
achieve full width plowing.
VIII-09
N. Accidents
In the event snow removal equipment is involved in an accident
with a pedestrian, moving or parked vehicle, or structure, the
operator must immediately notify the Police Department and
then their direct Supervisor. Based on provisions in the Employee
Handbook, Chapter 11 Drug-Free Workplace, the employee
involved in the accident may be subject to drug and alcohol
testing as soon as possible after the accident has occurred.
Specific details of the incident will need to be documented for
insurance purposes, including photos of the scene and damage to
equipment or property. Documentation must be provided as
soon as is safe to provide and in accordance with established
procedures.
VIII-09
Appendix A
Snow Removal Operations
Plan
Snow Event-Day #1
Streets
Equipment Used:
4- Single axle dump trucks with plows and spreaders
2- Tandem axle dump trucks with plows and spreaders
1- One-ton truck with plow and sander
The six dump trucks have assigned routes (see map) in which priority
streets get plowed first. (denoted in red on map) Once the operator has
completed the priority streets, they will then start on remaining streets.
At any time, Public works may pull off of secondary streets and shift
resources to priority ones.
When a route is completed, the operator will call others to check on
the status of their routes. If needed, they will provide help finishing the
VIII-09
other routes. Plow operators should not return to the shop until all
routes are completed.
Downtown Area
On an average snow event, the following equipment is assigned to the
Downtown area:
1-Front end loader with plow
2- Bi-Directional tractors with plow
1-One-Ton Truck with plow and spreader
Downtown snow clearing operations will generally begin the morning
following an event. City staff and equipment will clear downtown
streets, and public owned parking lots with the exception of the parking
ramp across from The Confluence.
Given the lack of boulevards in the Downtown area, windrowing of
snow in the center of the street is necessary in much of the area. In
areas that windrowing is not possible, snow may be stockpiled. Upon
completion of the Downtown area, the tractors and loader will begin
their respective cul-de-sac routes. The one-ton will complete the
remaining alleys if needed.
Cul-de-sacs
Equipment Used:
1-Front end loader with plow
2-Bi-directional tractors
Public works performs snow removal on the City’s 100 plus cul-de-sacs.
Note: Not all cul-de-sacs are owned/maintained by the City. Typically, a
VIII-09
dump truck may do a pass or turn around in the cul-de-sac, but actual
plowing of the cul-de-sac will be performed with one of the pieces
equipment listed above. Due to low traffic volumes, cul-de-sacs are
typically the last to be plowed. Dead end, no outlet, or areas with an
island will be treated as a cul-de-sac.
Snow Event-Day #2
Downtown Area
Typically, the first normal working day following a snow event, the
tractors or loader will go Downtown to clean up any snow from the
sidewalks, and shape windrows for snow blowing. Once the initial
cleanup is complete, staff or contractors will remove windrows of snow
from center of street. The snow will then be hauled to one of the City’s
designated dump areas. Once complete, trucks may go back into routes
to check for ice, and snow left from plowing around parked cars.
General Snow Removal Operations
Equipment Used
On a normal snow event the City of Hastings utilizes the following
equipment:
4- Single axle dump trucks with plows and spreaders
2- Tandem axle dump trucks with plows and spreaders
2- Bi-directional tractors
1-Front end loader with plow
1- One-ton truck with plow and spreader
Weather Review & Scheduling
VIII-09
The Public Works Superintendent, Supervisor, or their designee will
monitor weather forecasts and storm predictions, and mobilize Public
Works snow and ice control as necessary. Timing and extent of
mobilization will take into consideration the temperature, duration of
storm, predicted accumulation, and available personnel/equipment, to
better utilize the City’s resources.
Parking Restrictions and Snow Emergency Notification
When two or more inches of snow has fallen at or measured by the
Hastings Police Department, parking restrictions automatically go into
effect. (City Ordinance 71.07). The Hastings Police Department will
inform Public Works when a snow emergency goes into effect. No other
notifications will be sent out. When a snow emergency is in effect,
parking is prohibited on all City streets, until the streets are plowed to
their full width.
Equipment Inspection and Calibration
All snow removal equipment must undergo a complete and thorough
inspection each year. These inspections should be completed by
October 15th of each year, or prior to the start of the next snow season.
At a minimum, these inspections should include:
All trucks must have current DOT inspection.
Prior to leaving the shop, the driver will complete a daily DOT
inspection checkoff, and make needed repairs.
Check plows for cutting edge wear
Check for breaks/ cracks in plow frame
Check for hydraulic leaks
VIII-09
Check plow for proper operation
Check spreader for hydraulic leaks
Check electrical connections
Confirm proper operation of overall unit
In the fall of each year, every sander should be calibrated. Once the
calibration rate is set, the controls are to remain in that position, unless
material being applied changes.
Loading Procedures
If operators know they will be starting ice/snow removal early the next
day, the trucks should be loaded with salt the night before. Operators
should ensure the loaded truck is within state or federal weight
regulations. An operator must be trained and qualified to operate the
City’s front-end loaders, before they are allowed to load City trucks.
VIII-09
VIII-09