Agenda - Public Works Committee - 02/21/2012

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CITY POLICY ON SNOW REMOVAL, ICE CONTROL The control of snow and ice through quick and effective snowplowing ensures safe transportation for citizens, emergency vehicles, and the ongoing commercial activity in Ramsey. Due to the significant amount of public dollars spent on these services, it is the city's goal to manage and operate winter road maintenance in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Because timing is critical for snow and ice control, the City's goal is to achieve roads clear of snow in a reasonable time period. This is always dependent upon the type and amount of snow. The City cannot guarantee bare, dry pavement after each snowfall, or that streets will be totally free of ice or other driving hazards common to Minnesota winter conditions. Snowplowing begins after the accumulation of two inches of snow. It takes City crews approximately eight hours to clear streets after a "normal" snowfall of two to four inches. During major snow accumulations, emergency plowing operations usually begin about 2:00 a.m. In those situations, lead personnel will begin plowing as soon as possible so that primary arterial roadways are passable by morning "rush hours". The City is divided into seven routes. Major collector streets are plowed first. Other streets are plowed in an order determined by the driver for the quickest and most practical way to open all roads. Cul-de-sacs and short dead-end streets are divided into 7 routes and are plowed with different plows, adding speed and efficiency to the operation. Ice control consists of distributing a salt or salt/sand mixture when and where the Police and Public Works departments deem necessary. The City sands all main intersections, dangerous curves, and steep grades as needed to control traffic. Because temperature determines the effectiveness of a salt/sand mixture, sanding will not be done on extremely cold days except in emergency situations. Some of the main intersections along State and County roads are sanded as they are plowed. Others are sanded after all roads are cleared of snow, because the sand is needed for weight on the trucks. During ice storms when no plowing is occurring, intersections along the State and County roads are sanded first and all others are sanded immediately thereafter.