Agenda - Public Works Committee - 04/17/2001

Home

RELOCATING MAILBOXES IN CUL-DE-SACS By: Grant Riemer, Public Works Supervisor P.W. CASE #: 4 Background: One area of concern for snow removal and postal personnel is the placement of mailboxes in cul-de-sacs. This problem was magnified this year with the heavy snow totals we received. With the mailboxes placed in the bulb of the cul-de-sac it limits the amount of space available for snow storage. The space that is available quickly piles up and starts to creep out into the paved area because the smaller trucks used in cul-de-sac plowing can no longer push the snow back onto the easement. When this begins to happen the mail carrier can no longer drive around the cul-de-sac easily to deliver the mail. At this point we need to push the banks back with larger equipment. This becomes a time consuming and expensive process. On a good day the loader can clear about 15 cul-de-sacs. Out of our 240 cul-de-sacs about 20% have mailboxes placed in the bulb. The public works departments is recommending the removal of mailboxes from inside cul-de-sacs and place them on the throat of the road. We would propose city staff accomplish this task over a period of two years. We as staff realize that this will create an inconvenience for residents, but it also will have advantages. Mail delivery should no longer be interrupted because the mail carder can not get close to the box and the amount of snow needed to be removed by the resident near the mailbox should also decrease. Pictures will be provided to illustrate this problem. Recommendation: The Public Works Department is asking the Committee to adopt the attached policy on cul-de-sac mailbox placement. Adopting this policy will prohibit placement of mailboxes in radius of cul-de-sacs within new and existing developments. Committee Action: Motion to recommend adopting policy prohibiting the placement of mailboxes in the radius of cul-de-sacs. Reviewed by: City Administrator Director of Public Works City Engineer(s) PW: 04/17/01