Agenda - Public Works Committee - 08/14/2014

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Public Works Committee 6. 4. Meeting Date: 08/14/2014 By: Grant Riemer, Engineering/Public Works Title: Consider Enforcement Options Regarding Sidewalk Plowing in Town Home Developments Purpose/Background: Purpose -Consider enforcement options when contractors plow snow on to public sidewalk Background: Sidewalk plowing in townhome developments is always a challenge for public works crews. With the limited space available for snow storage, the contractors hired by the the development inevitably end up piling the snow on the public sidewalks within the development. When the city crew arrives to clear the sidewalk, they spend extra time and fuel moving the compacted snow off of the sidewalks,which delays the clearing of the rest of the sidewalks and trails in the city. In the past associations have been reminded to inform their contractors about plowing snow onto sidewalks, but compliance is sporadic at best. Timeframe: 10 minutes Observations/Alternatives: Staff intends to send out letters again this fall asking townhome associations to remind their contractors to plan accordingly for snow storage in their snow removal operations and include State Statute 169.42 in the letter to help reinforce our position. If contractors do pile snow on the public sidewalk, they will be given every opportunity to remove it in a timely manner. If requests are ignored or it continues to be a constant problem, public works staff will then ask code enforcement to issue the citation to the contractor responsible. Our goal is not to fine people, but educate them and improve service for all residents involved. The statute reads as follows: 169.42 LITTERING; DROPPING OBJECT ON VEHICLE; MISDEMEANOR. Subdivision 1. Objects on highway. No person shall throw, deposit, place, or dump, or cause to be thrown, deposited, placed, or dumped upon any street or highway or upon any public or privately owned land adjacent thereto without the owner's consent any snow, ice, glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, garbage, swill, papers, ashes, cigarette filters, debris from fireworks, refuse, carcass of any dead animal, offal, trash or rubbish or any other form of offensive matter, or any other substance likely to injure any person, animal, or vehicle upon any such street or highway. Funding Source: All activities would be included in staffs normal duties Recommendation: Informational only Action: Based on committee discussion Attachments Photo 1