02-26-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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L �N� CITY OF ORONO SNOW AND ICE lkkl� _t, 1, T_� MANAGEMENT POLICY February 26, 2018 1. Introduction. It is among the responsibilities of the City of Orono to manage snow and ice on City streets and public property under the City's jurisdiction. The purpose of this document is to set policies for how the City will fulfill this responsibility and to identify those City officials and employees who are authorized to set subordinate policies and make judgments in the course of carrying out snow and ice management activities. Setting policies for snow and ice management involves balancing the following priorities: A. Public safety. The safety of those traveling by motor vehicle, on foot and by other modes of transportation is of high priority. The goal of the City is to provide for surface conditions that are safe for travel in consideration of surrounding conditions and circumstances. However it is not possible or practicable for snow and ice to be fully removed from all surfaces or prevented from accumulating on surfaces. The City encourages and expects that City residents and other members of the traveling public will at all times conduct their activities mindful of conditions, hazards, and what is necessary to remain safe. B. Personnel safety. City personnel incur risk by their presence on public ways while managing snow and ice. The safety of City personnel as well is of the utmost importance. C. Environment. Materials to maintain or improve surface traction contribute pollutants such as sand and chlorides to surface waters and to City stormwater basins and other facilities, which in turn can increase the cost of maintaining those facilities. It is important not to use an excess of these materials. D. Cost. City funds are limited and taxpayers require that they be spent cost-effectively. It is not possible to address all snow and ice issues simultaneously and completely. E. Adaptability. Particularly with respect to effectiveness, cost and environmental consequences, snow and ice management is a realm of innovation. It is important that City policy allow for personnel to maintain awareness of developments and allow for practices to be adjusted as appropriate. The public must practice due care given the continuously changing hazards presented by natural snow and ice concerns. 2. Responsibility for Private Roadways, Parking Areas, Sidewalks, and Trails. The City is not responsible for snow and ice management on any roadway or parking area not owned by or dedicated to the City except as may be provided in a legally binding, written acceptance of that responsibility in the context of a development approval or otherwise. It is the responsibility of the resident and/or property owner to remove all accumulated snow from all other sidewalks along public streets adjoining their property. This includes any snow plowed from public streets onto the sidewalk. 3. Staff Responsibilities. Authority with respect to snow and ice management decisions is delegated as follows: