02-26-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Snow accumulation Snow removal operations will generally be conducted for snowfall of one (1) inch or greater on collector roads and two (2) inches or greater on residential roads. During long duration large accumulation events efforts will be focused on higher priority roads. Time of snowfall Snow plowing operations will be adjusted based on the timing of the storm / accumulation to ensure that priority roads are clear prior to the morning and afternoon rush hours as well as school start and release times. Crew Safety Crew availability and safety will dictate how fast roads area cleared. Snow and ice control operations will be conducted only when weather conditions do not endanger the safety of snowplow operators and equipment. Factors that may delay snow and ice control operations include: severe cold, significant winds, and limited visibility C. Post Storm. The City Supervisor(s) will determine if and when snow will be removed from the area by truck. Such snow removal will occur in areas where there is no room on the boulevard for snow storage and in areas where accumulated piles of snow create a hazardous condition. Snow removal operations will not commence until other snowplowing operations have been completed. D. Emergency Situations. The City will dispatch operators and equipment as soon as possible to the routes required by emergency vehicles—fire, medical, police—responding to an emergency situation within the jurisdiction of the City, Fire Department, or Police Department. E. Other. To address isolated icy spots and drift areas the police or dispatch will notify the Public Works on call. The on-call person will assess the situation and apply the appropriate measure to remove the hazard or call in additional public works personnel to assist. F. Documentation. The City and its operators will document control practices and decisions and keep written or printed records of application and other decisions in carrying out this Policy. A storm record will be completed within the Public Works work flow management system (Cartegraph) for each storm event and should include operating times, weather conditions, material used, and personnel and equipment resources committed. 7. Methods of Snow and ice removal. The city of Orono will follow the guidelines provided in the Minnesota Snow and Ice Control Handbook. A. Plowing. Snow will be plowed in a manner so as to minimize traffic obstructions. The center of the roadway will be plowed first. The snow shall then be pushed from left to right on two-way streets. The goal will be to remove snow from roads as quickly as possible to reduce compaction remove snow and loose ice before deicing applications. Snow on cul-de-sacs will normally be plowed to the center in an attempt to provide the largest turning radius possible for emergency vehicle ingress and egress. In times of extreme snowfall, streets will not always immediately be able to be completely cleared of snow. B. Material application. The city will use sand, salt, and other chemicals when there are hazardous ice or slippery conditions. Salt and other chemicals are applied for de-icing and anti -icing. Sand will be applied in situations when de-icing is not possible in order to provide some traction. The city is concerned about the effect of such chemicals on the environment and will limit its use for that reason. Appendix A Contains the guidelines for which material will be used in which situation. (1). De -Icing- Is the process of removing ice from a surface. When a deicing solution such as salt is applied to a surface a brine solution is created. Brine is water saturated or nearly saturated with salt and has a lower freezing point than water. The brine loosens the ice or snow from the pavement.