RESOLUTION NO. 2015-44

A RESOLUTION ADOPTING POLICY GOVERNING

SNOWPLOWING AND ICE CONTROL

 ON PUBLIC STREETS IN THE CITY OF DYSART, IOWA

 

SECTION 1.  Commencement of Operations.  Snow Plowing and/or ice control operations shall commence under the direction of the Public Works Department or designee.  If necessary, the Mayor may determine when and where operations will begin in accordance with the following criteria:

 

a)      Snow accumulation of 2-inches or more covering the streets;

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 (i.e. weekday a.m. and p.m. commuter periods).

 

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 1 inch.

 

SECTION 2.  Snow Plowing Procedures.  Snow will be plowed in a manner so as to provide access as soon as possible and to minimize any traffic obstructions.  The primary access streets, including Main, Wilson, Clark and Sherman Streets, shall be cleared first.  It is the Public Works Department’s goal to have the entire street system cleaned after a “typical” snowfall in approximately 24 hours.  Depending on snowfall conditions and duration of the storm, streets will not always immediately be able to be completely cleared of snow.

 

Piled snow will be removed from the Central Business District within 48 hours after the end of the snowfall.

 

SECTION 3.  Suspension of Operations.  Generally, operations will continue until all routes are passable.  Widening and cleanup operations may continue immediately or on the following work day depending on conditions and circumstances.  Safety of the plow operators and the public is important.  Therefore, snowplowing/removal operations may be terminated after 10-12 hours to allow personnel adequate time for rest.  There may be instances where this is not possible depending on storm conditions and other circumstances.  Operations may also be suspended during periods of limited visibility, significant winds or severe cold so as to not jeopardize the safety of city employees and equipment.  Any decision to suspend operations shall be made by the Public Works Department and the Mayor based on the conditions of the storm.  The City will still provide access for emergency fire, police and medical services on an “as-needed” basis during a major snow or ice storm.

 

 

SECTION 4.  Use of Sand and Salt.  The City is concerned about the effect of salt and sand on the environment and will limit its use for that reason.  Therefore it is the policy of the City to utilize salt and sand at locations where there are hazardous or slippery conditions.  This provides for traction but is not intended to provide bare pavement during winter conditions.  The City will not be responsible for damage to grass caused by salt and sand and therefore will not make repairs or compensate residents for salt and sand damage to turf areas in the right-of-way.

 

SECTION 5.  Property Damage.  Snow plowing and ice control operations can cause property damage even under the best of circumstances and care on the part of the operators.  The major types of damage are to improvements in the City right-of-way, which extends approximately 10’ to 15’ beyond the edge of the street location.  The intent of the right-of-way is to provide room for snow storage, utilities, sidewalks and other city uses.  However, certain private improvements such as mailboxes, landscaping and other private installations are located within this area.

 

a)      Mailboxes—Mailboxes should be constructed sturdily enough to withstand snow rolling off a plow or wing.  While the installation of mailboxes on the city right-of-way is permitted, the mailbox owner assumes all risk of damage.  The City will not repair or replace mailboxes damaged during snow removal operations

 

b)      Landscaping— Property owners should assume all risk of damage for landscaping, including nursery and inanimate materials that are installed or encroach on City right-of-way.  The City assumes no responsibility for damage incurred to these non-permitted elements as a result of snow plowing and ice control activities.  In addition, inanimate materials such as boulders, timbers, etc. are a hazard and can cause damage to plow equipment.

 

c)      Other Private Installations—Other Private Installations – The City will assume no responsibility for underground lawn sprinkling systems, exterior lighting systems, underground electronic dog fences or any other non-permitted features privately installed in City right-of-way.

 

SECTION 6.  Snow Storage.  Ongoing snow and ice control efforts require the use of the entire City right-of-way and easement areas for storage of plowed snow.  Depending on the volume of snow, available storage within the right-of way can become limited and/or create sight obstructions.  Since it is financially impossible and impractical to remove snow from all intersection corners, the City may push snow father back onto the right-of-way area.

 

SECTION 7.  Driveways.  One of the most frequent and most irritable problems in removal of snow from the public streets is the snow deposited in driveways during plowing operations.  Snow that accumulates on the plow blade has no place to go but in the driveway.  Snowplow operators make every attempt to minimize the amount of snow deposited in driveways, but the snow can still be significant.  City personnel or contractors do not provide driveway cleaning. 

 

SECTION 8.  Mail Delivery.  Snowplow operators make every effort to remove snow as close to the curb line as practical and to provide access to mailboxes for the Postal Department.  However, it is not possible to provide perfect conditions and minimize the damage to mailboxes with the size and type of equipment the City operates.  Therefore, the final cleaning adjacent to mailboxes is the responsibility of each resident. 

 

SECTION 9.  Complaints.  Complaints regarding snow and ice removal or damage will be taken during normal working hours and handled in accordance with the City’s complaint procedures.  Complaints involving access to property or problems requiring immediate attention will be handled on a priority basis.  Response time should not exceed twenty-four (24) hours for any complaint.  It should be understood that complaint responses are to ensure that the provisions of this policy have been fulfilled and that all residents of the City have been treated uniformly.

 

SECTION 10.  All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. 

 

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14^th day of October, 2015.