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09-06 - 01-20 - establish Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy Resolution 09-6 January 20, 2009 Member Pentel introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF THE SNOW PLOWING AND ICE CONTROL POLICY WHEREAS, the City of Golden Valley finds that it is in the best interest of the residents of the City to assume basic responsibility for control of snow and ice on City streets; and WHEREAS, reasonable ice and snow control is necessary for routine travel and emergency services; and WHEREAS. the City will provide such snow and ice control in a safe and cost- effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget, personnel, and environmental concerns; and WHEREAS, this policy does not relieve the snowplow operator of private vehicles, pedestrians, property owners, residents and all others that may be using public streets, of their responsibility to act in a reasonable, prudent and cautious manner, given the prevailing street conditions. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council adopts the Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy dated January 20, 2009, attached as Exhibit A. I cXt/nrl~v "K);f015J1Wt Linda R. Loomis, Mayor ATTEST: The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Member Freiberg and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Freiberg, Loomis, Pentel, Scanlon and Shaffer; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the Mayor and her signature attested by the City Clerk. Resolution 09-6 - Continued January 20, 2009 EXHIBIT A Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy January 20, 2009 1. Introduction The City of Golden Valley, Minnesota, finds that it is in the best interest of the residents of 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 attempt to 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 and equipment. This policy does not relieve the operator of private vehicles, pedestrians, property owners, residents and all others that may be using public streets, of their responsibility to act in a reasonable, prudent and cautious manner, given the prevailing street conditions. 2. Initiation of Snow and Ice Control Operations The Public Works Maintenance Manager, or his designee, will decide when to begin snow or ice control operations. The criteria for that decision are: a. New accumulation of two (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, snow plowing operations will not generally be conducted for snowfall of less than two (2) inches. However, an accumulation of consecutive snowfall events of less than two (2) inches may constitute initiation of snow plowing operations. 3. Plowing Method Snow will be plowed in a manner so as to minimize traffic obstructions. The center of the roadway will be plowed first. The snow shall then be pushed from left to right. When a plow goes on a bridge, the driver shall slow down so 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. These procedures will be adapted to address field conditions. 4. Snow Removal The Public Works Maintenance Manager, or designee, will determine if and when snow will be removed from the area by truck. 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 snow plowing 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 impact. Resolution 09-6 - Continued January 20, 2009 5. Priorities and Schedule of Streets to 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 classified as minor arterials and collectors 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 streets are low volume residential streets. The fourth priority areas are alleys and City parking lots. Each year the Public Works Department prepares a map of the City showing the City maintained street system. The City is divided into routes, in which ice control and snow removal will be performed. The routes are periodically revised to correspond to budgetary, equipment and personnel resources. Within each route, the major streets are designated as well as areas of steep grades (hazardous areas) that require extra care. Equipment is assigned for the control of snow and ice. The start of snow and ice control operations for any storm is dependent upon immediate and forecasted weather conditions. The most critical time periods are weekday mornings and evening rush hours. When feasible, the City will attempt to remove snow and ice from the City's collector and arterial streets prior to the rush hour periods. Collector and arterial streets under the City's jurisdictional authority are the first priority. Once the priority areas are plowed and opened, the remaining streets and cul-de-sacs in the residential, commercial and industrial areas will be plowed and de-iced. During significant and severe storms, the City must be prepared to move personnel and equipment to maintain priority routes first. In fulfilling the need to have all priority streets safe and passable, when resources are limited, plowing of all other streets may be stopped at any time so resources can be shifted to priority routes. Unforeseeable circumstances may cause delays in completing assigned plow routes. Such circumstances may include weather conditions that endanger the safety of snowplow operators and/or safe and effective operation of equipment, commuter traffic, disabled vehicles, poor visibility conditions, parked cars along streets, assistance to emergency response vehicles, equipment breakdown, and personnel shortages. 6. Work Schedule for Snowplow Operators In severe snow emergencies, operators may have to work in excess of 12-hour shifts. Operators are allowed a 10-minute break every 2 hours with a 20-minute meal break after 4 hours. Except for special emergency situations, the operators will be replaced after a 12-hour shift if additional qualified personnel are available. Ideally, snow removal operations should be conducted during early morning hours to avoid interfering with traffic, and allow property owners the time to clear their driveway approaches before heading to work. Resolution 09-6 - Continued January 20,2009 7. Traffic Regulations The City recognizes that snowplow operators are exempt from traffic regulations set forth in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 169, while actually engaged in work on streets, except for regulations related to driving while impaired and the safety of school children. Pursuant to this authority, snowplow operators engaged in snow removal or ice control on City streets have discretion to disregard traffic laws set forth in Chapter 169, except for laws relating to impaired driving and school children safety, when in their judgment, it is safe to disregard such laws. The privileges granted herein to operators of snow removal and ice control vehicles shall apply only if the vehicle is equipped with one lighted lamp displaying a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light placed in such a position on the vehicle as to be visible throughout an arc of 360 degrees. 8. Weather Conditions Snow and ice control operations will be conducted only when weather conditions do not endanger the safety of snowplow ,operators and equipment. Factors that may delay snow and ice control operations include: severe cold, significant winds, and limited visibility. 9. 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. With the exception of Winnetka Avenue, south of TH 55, the City of Golden Valley does not strive to achieve bare pavement. Sand, salt, and other chemicals are not placed on City trails and sidewalks, except for those which immediately service a City building that is programmed for use during the winter. 10. Sidewalks The City will maintain some of the sidewalks and trails in the City. A map of the trails and sidewalks is prepared annually. As there are a limited number of personnel available, the City will only maintain these sidewalks after the streets have been plowed. 11. Mailboxes Coming into contact with a mailbox is a common obstacle snowplow operators face during storm activities. The City will conduct a review of each mailbox incident to determine whether the City will replace or provide reimbursement for the mailbox. Only mailboxes actually hit by a snowplow will be the responsibility of the City. The City will not be responsible for damage to mailboxes or support posts caused by snow or ice coming into contact with the mailbox. At the mailbox owner's request, the City will replace the mailbox with a standard size, non-decorative metal mailbox and replace the support post as necessary with a 4" x 4", decay resistance wood support post, both installed by the City. Resolution 09-6 - Continued January 20,2009 12. Complaint Procedure Complaints will be recorded on telephone logs. Calls requiring service will be transferred to a work request and forwarded to the appropriate supervisor for scheduling. Emergency complaints will be handled in an expeditious manner as resources are available. 13. Completion Goals It is the Public Works Department goal to have all streets and cul-de-sacs plowed within eight hours of the end of the snow event. Trails and sidewalks are cleared in priority order: priority ones the first day, priority twos the second day and priority threes by the third day. City-owned parking lots should be cleared prior to regular business hours. 14.Suspension of Snow Removal OperationslWeather Conditions The Public Works Director, or designee, may suspend plowing operations. Generally, suspension of plowing operations will be considered only when weather conditions endanger the safety of City staff and equipment. Factors that may suspend snow and ice control operations include: severe cold, significant winds and limited visibility, or the weather forecast calls for temperatures of 40 degrees within 12 hours.