Ramsey Resident - 2003 - March/April

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13 SNOWBIRDS GET TAGGED AND TOWED Remember not to parl< your motor ve- hicle on any City street during a snowfall, or af- terwards, until it is plowed. Vehicles parl<ed along the roadway cause the snowplows to go around them, leaving unplowed areas. They also present a danger to plow drivers when visibility is poor. These "snowbirds" are tagged and towed at the owner's expense! Save yourself money and ag- gravation while you help us provide for safe and efficient snowplowing services. SNOWPLOWING The Public Worl<s Department is responsible for clearing all city streets and municipal parl<ing lots. This equates to over 300 lane miles of roads. The Public Worl<s Department mal<es every attempt to avoid damage, but because of the conditions encountered during plowing and the size of the equipment used, it is sometimes difficult to judge where the edge of the pavement ends, and where the grass begins. The City retains an easement on the edge of the road for snow storage purposes. When sod is damaged due to plowing in this easement it will be repaired in the spring, with blacl< dirt and grass seed. Irrigation systems, landscaping and plant materials placed in the City's easement will not be repaired and are the responsibility of the homeowner. Several things can be done to diminish the chance of damage to the easement near your home: SNOWPLOWING FAQ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 lathe, free of charge in the fall, to help marl< the edge of the boulevard. This lathe is available at the fall recycling day in October or at City Hall. The lathe will breal< off after a couple of snowfalls, but will have served its purpose by helping the driver establish the curb line. Please do not use metal stal<es to marl< the boulevard. They are dangerous to install and can be a hazard to pedestrians and motorists using the roadway. City crews will remove metal stal<es used in the boulevard. Q. The snowplow tore up the grass in front of my house. Who's responsible for repairing the damage in the spring? A. The City of Ramsey retains an easement on the edge of the road for snow storage and utility placement. This easement varies, depending on the development, but normally is 12' -15' from the edge of the road. When you call in to report sod damage, your name and address are recorded on a list. In the spring, city crews will go around and repair the turf damage with blacl< dirt and grass seed. We try to avoid damage, but it does happen. The weather, especially early and late in the season, has a great impact on the amount of damage that occurs. Un-frozen ground is not very forgiving and even the slightest touch of the plow causes damage to the surrounding turf. Staking the blvd. is a great help to drivers as it helps them to visualize the edge of the road. The drivers try their best, but it's not easy lmowing exactly where the edge of the road is at all times, especially at 3am in the middle ofa snow storm! Q. Why won't the city repair my sprinkler system or other improvements I've made in the ROW when they damage it plowing? A. The City retains ownership of the right-of-way, which in most cases is 12-15 feet from the edge of the road. This ROW is reserved for utilities and their equipment, snow storage, sidewall<s, etc. Any improvements made to the ROW by the homeowner are done so at their risl<. Q. Who do I call if I have a complaint or comment about snowplowing A. Call the City of Ramsey's main switchboard@ 763-427-1410, the receptionist will direct the call to the proper personnel. During a snowfall the public worl<s staff will be out of the shop, so calling the public works garage directly may not be the best way to get a response to your question. After 5 p.m. the answering machine will record the messages and city personnel will distribute them after 8 a.m. the following morning. The policy of the Public Worl<s department is to return all phone calls, or meet with residents if they so request. If at first you do succeed - try to hide your astonishment. - Anonymous 1) Place wooden lathe every 20 to 30 feet along the boulevard to marl< the road edge, 2) Pay special attention when stal<ing corners and radiuses, as they are difficult to judge after a snowfall. If you have any questions about snowplowing, please call Ramsey Public Worl<s at (612) 427-8254.