3.8 Snow and Ice Control Policy
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Streets Street Operations Manager Lamson October 25, 2021
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Consent City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
City Engineer Wagner
City Planner Licht
3.8 – Snow and Ice Control
Policy
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
X Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative
communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
X Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and
expectations in a cost-effective manner.
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends adoption of a resolution revising the City’s Snow and Ice Control Policy.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
City staff was directed to review and redraft the City’s Snow and Ice Control Policy. The last policy was
adopted in 2019 and needed some updating. Staff has revised the policy to address a number of issues and
to also match the formatting of our more recent policies. The bulk of the policy is largely the same but it
goes into great detail addressing how City staff responds to concerns about damage while plowing snow
and how we make the repairs.
The proposed Snow and Ice Control Policy was reviewed by the Administrative Subcommittee at their
meeting on 13 October 2021 and the Public Works Subcommittee at their respective meeting on 20
October 2021 which recommended approval.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
▪ Draft Snow and Ice Control Policy
▪ Resolution 2021-83
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to adopt Resolution 2021-83 revising the Snow and Ice Control Policy.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
N/A
N/A
SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY
ADOPTED: December 9, 2019Draft for Review
1. POLICY INTRODUCTION
The City of Otsego finds that it is in the best interest of the residents of the City to assume basic
responsibility for control of snow and ice on City streets. Reasonable snow and ice control are
necessary for routine travel and emergency services. The City will attempt to provide such
control in a safe and cost‐effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget, personnel and
environmental concerns. The City will use City employees and equipment to provide this
service. This policy does not relieve the operator of private vehicles, pedestrians, property
owners, residents and all others that may be using public streets, of their responsibility to act in
a reasonable, prudent and cautious manner, given the prevailing street conditions.
2. WHEN WILL THE CITY START SNOW AND ICE CONTROL OPERATIONS
The Street Operations Manager or his/her designated representative will decide when to begin
snow or ice control operations. The criteria for that decision are:
Snow accumulation of two (2) inches or more;
Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel;
Icy conditions which seriously affect travel; and
Time of snowfall in relationship to heavy use of streets.
Snow and ice control operations are expensive and involve the use of limited personnel,
equipment and resources. Consequently, snow plowing operations may not occur with
snowfalls less than two (2) inches.
3. LEVELS OF SERVICE
It is the intent of the City to complete plowing operations within 24 hours of the time the
snowfall ceases. Plowing will begin as close as practicable to the time the snowfalls stops;
however, every effort will be made to have priority routes plowed prior to morning or evening
rush hour.
4. PRIORITIES AND SCHEDULE OF PLOWING
The City has classified City streets based on the street function, traffic volume and importance
to the welfare of the community.
Those streets classified as high volume routes will be plowed first. These high‐
volume routes are those that connect major sections of the City and provide access
for emergency fire, police and medical services.
The second priority streets are those providing access to schools and commercial
businesses.
The third priority streets are low volume residential streets.
The fourth priority are cul‐de‐sacs, parking lots, trails and sidewalks.
During significant and severe storms, the City must be prepared to move personnel and
equipment to maintain priority routes first. In fulfilling the need to have all priority streets safe
and passable, when resources are limited, plowing of all other streets may be stopped at any
time so resources can be shifted to priority routes.
Unforeseeable circumstances may cause delays in completing assigned plow routes. Such
circumstances may include weather conditions that endanger the safety of snowplow operators
and/or safe and effective operation of equipment, commuter traffic, disabled vehicles, poor
visibility conditions, parked cars along streets, assistance to emergency response vehicles,
equipment breakdowns and personnel shortages. Suspension or changes to these priorities will
be made by the Street Operations Manager or his/her designated representative.
5. WORK SCHEDULE FOR SNOWPLOW OPERATORS
Snowplow operators will be expected to work their assigned shifts. In severe snow emergencies,
operators sometimes have to work longer shifts. However, because of budget and safety
concerns, no operator shall work more than a 12‐hour shift in any 24‐hour period. While work
breaks are not guaranteed, generally operators will take breaks in accordance with City policy,
provided the breaks do not interfere with City services or operations. In addition, operators will
be allowed sufficient time to eat a meal during any shift which is eight or more hours.
6. TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
The City of Otsego recognizes that snowplow operators are exempt from traffic regulations set
forth in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 169 while actually engaged in work on streets, except for
regulations related to driving while impaired and the safety of school children. Pursuant to this
authority, snowplow operators engaged in snow removal or ice control on City streets have
discretion to disregard traffic laws set forth in Chapter 169, except for laws relating to impaired
driving and school children safety, when in their judgment, it is safety to disregard such laws.
The privileges granted herein to operators of snow removal and ice control vehicles shall apply
only if the vehicle is equipped with one lighted lamp displaying a flashing, oscillating or rotating
amber light placed in a position on the vehicle as to be visible from 360 degrees.
7. WEATHER CONDITIONS
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.
8. USE OF SAND, SALT AND OTHER CHEMICALS
The City of Otsego will use sand, salt and other chemicals where there are hazardous ice or
slippery conditions. The City is concerned about the effects of such chemicals on the
environment and will limit its use for that reason.
9. DRIVEWAYS
One of the most frequent and most difficult problems in removal of snow from public streets is the
snow deposited in driveways during plowing operations. City personnel does not provide driveway
cleaning. Residents should be aware that they may have to clear their driveway a second time if
their driveway is cleared prior to the streets being plowed. Residents are not allowed to push or
deposit snow from their driveway in the street. According to the laws of the State of Minnesota,
depositing snow in any fashion onto a public street/right‐of‐way or highway is illegal and punishable
as a misdemeanor. This liability may extend to both the property owner and the person who
actually placed the snow on the roadway/right‐of‐way.
Minnesota Highway Traffic Regulations
160.2715 Subd. A(1)
Except for the actions of the road authorities, their agents, employees, contractors, and utilitities in
carrying out their duties imposed by law or contract, and except as herein provided, it shall be
unlawful to: to obstruct any highway or to deposit snow or ice thereon…
169.42 Subd. (1)
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…
10. VEHICLES
Within the City of Otsego, any person having a vehicle parked on any City street after a continuous
snowfall accumulating of two or more inches of snow will be subject to tagging and possible towing
at the owner’s expense. The City does enforce its No Parking ordinance from November 1st through
March 31st. This rule is enforced until the street has been plowed to the full width of the roadway.
11. GARBAGE & RECYCLING SERVICE
The snow plow operators can not clear the snow as effectively from the street if garbage/recycling
containers are placed along the curb. Therefore, city staff is requesting that residents place their
garbage/recycling containers at the end of their driveway out of the traveled portion of the street.
This allows the plow operators to more effectively/efficiently clear the street.
12. MAIL DELIVERY
The snow plow operators make every effort to remove snow as close as curb as practical and to
provide access to mailboxes for the Postal Service. However, it is not possible to provide perfect
conditions and minimize damage to mailboxes with the size and type of equipment the City
operates. Therefore, the final cleaning adjacent to mailboxes is the responsibility of each resident.
9.13. MAILBOXES AND OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE
Damage to a mailbox or other property along the street right‐of‐way is a risk that snowplow
operators face during their winter plowing requirements. The City will conduct a review of each
damage claim to determine whether the City has any legal responsibility for the damage and, if
so, to replace or provide reimbursement for the damage. Claims will be reviewed by the Street
Operations Manager or his/her representative. Damages will not be allowed if it is deemed that
City equipment did not make contact with mailboxes or other property. Mailboxes and their
supports must also be able to meet the City’s ordinance standards, as well as the state and
federal requirements for mailbox size, support and structure to be allowed a claim. Mailboxes
not meeting these requirements will not be allowed a claim.
Snow plowing and ice control, by its nature, can cause damage to areas adjacent to the street and trails
even under the best of circumstances. The City’s plow operators make every effort to avoid damage to
areas adjoining the street and trails, however, such damage does occur from time to time. The majority
of the damage occurs to improvement in the City right‐of‐way which extends approximately 10’‐15’
beyond the street curbs.
The intent of right‐of‐way is to provide room for snow storage, utilities, sidewalks and other city uses.
However, certain private improvements such as mail boxes are permitted within this area.
Therefore, the City will cooperate with the property owners to determine if the damage is the
responsibility of the City and when it shall be the responsibility of the resident. The City accepts
responsibility for physical damage to legally installed mailboxes if struck by a plow blade, wing or other
piece of equipment. See Appendix A for a properly installed mailbox by the USPS. It is important to
maintain these minimum dimensions to allow plow equipment to travel under the lowest point of the
mailbox of 44” to reduce the likelihood of damage. Damage resulting from plow castings or the
disturbance of snow or ice piles is the responsibility of the resident. If the damage is determined to be
caused by the plow blade the resident will have two options. The City will replace the mailbox,
newspaper box and/or post with a 4 x 4 treated post and black mailbox or the resident can replace their
own mailbox, newspaper box and/or post and the City will reimburse the resident $150. If just the
mailbox is damaged, the City will replace it with a standard black mailbox.
If a permanent repair can’t be made during the winter, City staff will provide a temporary measure to
assure that the resident can still get their mail. Temporary repairs will be a mailbox post in a bucket of
sand/concrete. Staff will complete a form on every mailbox call to document and streamline resident
calls for damage (See Appendix B).
The City bears no responsibility for damage to irrigation systems, driveway markers, landscaping beds,
decorative boulders, or other items improperly placed in the City right‐of‐way along streets, paths or
sidewalks. If such items are deemed to be a traffic hazard or endanger maintenance equipment or
operators, the owner will be required to remove such items from the City right‐of‐way. Lawns that are
scraped or gouged by the City equipment will be repaired by top dressing and seeding the following
spring. Residents are requested to assist by watering the areas that are repaired. In instances where
there is a disagreement as to the source of the damage and/or repair responsibilities, the Street
Operations Manager or City Administrator shall determine the obligation.
10.14. DEVIATION FROM POLICY AND DISCLAIMER
The Street Operations Manager or his/her representative may deviate from this policy when in
his or her judgment it is in the best interest of the City or necessary because of budget needs or
other circumstances. All parts of this policy may be affected by at least one or more of the
following which may delay all or some of the services provided:
Equipment breakdowns
Vehicles disabled in deep/drifted snow
Weather conditions so severe as to cause crews to be called in from their routes (i.e.
white‐out conditions
Equipment rendered inadequate by the depth of snow or drifts
Crew break, breaks required by refueling, refilling of spreaders, installing chains or
cutting edges
Unforeseen emergencies
11.15. TRAIL SNOW REMOVAL
The City will provide snow and ice control measures on certain park trails throughout the
winter. Trails to be plowed will be designated on the City of Otsego Winter Trail and Sidewalk
Map. Plowing will be done on designated trails during a street snowplowing event or on regular
workdays (Monday through Friday). Trail plowing will begin either during or on the first work
day after a snow event of two or more inches or when drifting snow blocks pedestrian trails.
Trails used by students to walk to school will be completed to allow students safe access prior to
school opening whenever possible. The plowing of trails will typically be done in the following
priority, however, there may be changes in the priority due to the type of snow, depth of snow
or timing of snow event.
1. Trails used by students to walk to/from school
2. Trails adjacent to City streets
3. Interior park trails
It is the City’s goal to get the trail plowing completed in two working days after the snow event.
Things such as equipment breakdowns, size of storm or difficult conditions may extend this time
frame.
12.16. PARKING LOT SNOW REMOVAL
Snow plowing in municipal parking lots will begin when two (2) inches of snow has accumulated
or when vehicular movement becomes difficult. Not all parking lots will be maintained.
Applicable parking lots include: City Hall, Prairie Center, Prairie Park, Beaudry Park, Norin
Landing and School Knoll Park.
13.17. USE OF SALT OR TRACTION MATERIAL IN PARKING LOTS AND TRAILS
The City is concerned about the effect of salt, materials for traction, or chemicals on the
environment and will limit their use in parking lots for that reason. Therefore, it is the policy of
the City to utilize salt, materials for traction or a chemical mixture in the ratio that provides for
reasonable safe driving conditions in parking lots. The application of these types of materials is
not always intended to provide bare pavement during winter conditions. In addition, the
desired results of these materials can vary with different temperatures.
The application of salt on trails is not a general practice in the City of Otsego. Conditions during
the winter months can be unpredictable, therefore, it is recommended that pedestrians always
wear traction cleats when walking during the winter months.
14.18. CITY SIDEWALKS
All City owned sidewalks will be plowed within 36 hours of the time the snowfall ceases.
15. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE 15.To report a complaint.
Complaints will be recorded on written logs and contacted by the Street Operations Manager or
his/her representative in a timely manner. Calls requiring service will be transferred to the
appropriate supervisor for scheduling. Emergency complaints will be handled in an expeditious
manner as resources are available.
If a resident would like to report a concern regarding snow removal, a damaged mailbox, or
damaged turf, they are encouraged to call City Hall at (763‐441‐4414; or to email
streets@ci.otsego.mn.us.
16. 16. POLICY HISTORY
This is the current and most recent version of the Snow and Ice Control Policy. Previously:
Adopted December 10, 2011
Revised December 9, 2019
Appendix A
Appendix B
Mailbox Damage/Concern Form
Complaint Date: ____________
Resident Name: ____________________
Contact Number: ___________________
Address: __________________________
Explanation of Damage: _______________________________________________
Staff Decision: _______________________________________________________
Circle One: Repair/Reimbursement
Resident Signature: __________________________
Date: _____________________________________
1
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO: 2021-83
APPROVING REVISED SNOW & ICE CONTROL POLICY
WHEREAS, the City previously adopted a snow and ice control policy on December 9, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the City has made certain revisions within the snow and ice control policy; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has met to discuss and review the revised policy; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the revised policy shall be in force and effect upon the date
of adoption of this resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO, MINNESOTA:
1. That the revised Snow and Ice Control Policy as attached hereto is hereby adopted effective
immediately.
2. That the Snow and Ice Control Policy previously adopted on December 9, 2019 is no longer in force
and effect.
ADOPTED by the Otsego City Council this 25th day of October, 2021.
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
IN FAVOR:
OPPOSED:
CITY OF OTSEGO
__________________________________
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk