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11-58 - 10-18 - amend snow plowing and ice control policy - streets, alleys, parking lots, trails, sidewalks Resolution 11-58 October 18, 2011 Member Scanlon introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION AMENDING SNOW PLOWING AND ICE CONTROL POLICY FOR CITY STREETS, ALLEYS, PARKING LOTS, TRAILS AND SIDEWALKS 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, alleys, parking lots, trails and sidewalks; 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. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council adopts the amended Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy for City Streets, Alleys, Parking Lots, Trails and Sidewalks dated October 18, 2011, attached as Exhibit A. � , Linda R. Loomis, Ma or ATTEST: l� Susan M. Virnig, City Clerk 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 11-58 - Continued October 18, 2011 EXHIBIT A Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy for City Streets, Alleys, Parking Lots, Trails and Sidewalks • January 20, 2009 Amended October 18, 2011 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 snow and ice control in a safe and cost- effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget, personnel, and environmental concerns. The City will use City employees and City-owned equipment, and private equipment when necessary. This policy does not relieve the operator of private vehicles, pedestrians, property owners, residents and all others that may be using public streets, alleys, parking lots, sidewalks and trails, of their responsibility to act in a reasonable, prudent and cautious manner, given the prevailing 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 finro (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 dedication of a significant amount of personnel and equipment. Consequently, snow plowing operations will not generally be conducted for snowfall of less than finro (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 may not be immediately cleared of snow. Plowing procedures will be adapted to address field conditions. Resolution 11-58 - Continued October 18, 2011 4. Maintenance Priorities and Schedule of Streets, Alleys, Municipal Parking Lots, Sidewalks and Trails a. Streets, Alleys and Municipal Parking Lots 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, except for those parking lots needed for Public Safety and Public Works functions. Each year the Public Works Department prepares a map of the City showing the City's streets 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. Collector and arterial streets under the City's jurisdictional authority are the first priority. 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. Once the collector and arterial streets are plowed and opened, the remaining streets and cul-de-sacs in the residential, commercial and industrial areas will be plowed and de-iced. The goal is to complete this work within 8 hours of the end of the snow event. 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 collector and arterial streets safe and passable, when resources are limited, plowing of all other streets may be suspended at any time so resources can be shifted to the 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. Resolution 11-58 - Continued October 18, 2011 b. Sidewalks and Trails The City will maintain some of the sidewalks and trails in the City. A map of the trails and sidewalks is prepared annually and the sidewalks and trails have been prioritized based on function and use. As there are a limited number of personnel available, the City will only maintain these sidewalks and trails in accordance with personnel and equipment availability. i. Priority 1 and 2 trails and sidewalks are typically plowed within 24 hours after a 2-inch snow event occurs, if resources allow. ii. The City may plow only Priority 1 trails if a snow event occurs with excessive accumulation (greater than 2 inches), in the event of an ice storm, or if equipment or manpower issues require an adjustment in the City's schedule. iii. Priority 3 trails are plowed only after the maintenance effort for Priority 1 and 2 trails has been completed. This may typically be 48 to 72 hours after a 2-inch snow event. The trails may not be completed if consecutive snow events occur, or if manpower or equipment issues do not allow for plowing. 5. Hauling Snow from Rights-of-Way The Public Works Maintenance Manager, or designee, will determine if and when snow will be removed from City-owned parking lots and rights-of-way. Such snow removal will occur in areas where there is 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 impacts. 6. Work Schedule for Snowplow Operators In severe snow emergencies, operators may have to work in excess of 12-hour shifts. Operators may be 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 traveling to work. 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 Resolution 11-58 - Continued October 18, 2011 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.Mailboxes Mailboxes, which are generally an obstruction in City's right-of-way, are sometimes impacted by snow removal operations. The City will conduct a review of each mailbox incident to determine whether a snowplow came into direct contact with the mailbox or support structure. The City will only repair mailboxes actually hit by a snowplow and installed to United States Postal Service Residential Mailbox Standards (see detail below). The City will not be responsible for damage to mailboxes or support posts caused by snow or ice coming into contact with the mailbox. Based on the City's review, the City will repair the mailbox to an operational state, or if the mailbox is unable to be adequately repaired, the City will replace the mailbox with a standard size, non-decorative metal mailbox. The City may also replace the support post as necessary with a 4" x 4", decay resistance wood support post, if necessary. Dents, scratches, or other superficial damage that does not prohibit normal use of the mailbox will be considered normal wear and tear and will not be repaired or replaced by the City. NOl'� BOITQMOFMAIL80XSHOlJLDBE41-451NCHE3 � ABOVE RaAD SURFAGE.FACE OF MAILBOX 8HOULD BE BENVEEN 8 AND 8 INCHE8 FROM FACE {"e'TO FROM OF CURB. � FACE WRB ROAQ 3URFACE � Resolution 11-58 - Continued October 18, 2011 11.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. 12.Suspension of Snow Removal Operations/Weather 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.