Resolution 4373 - Snow Removal Policy1711
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RESOLUTION NO. 4373
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL POLICY FOR THE
CITY OF KALISPELL.
WHEREAS, the current snow and ice removal policy of the City
has in certain respects been inadequate to deal
with the degree of inclimate weather the City has
experienced over the last several years, and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to enact a written snow and
ice removal policy for the City of Kalispell.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the Policy and Procedure Manual, Snow and
Ice Removal, City of Kalispell is hereby
adopted, as set forth in Exhibit "A", attached
hereto and for purposes of this Resolution
made a part hereof.
SECTION ��. That this Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon passed by the City Council.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR OF THE CITY
OF KALISPELL, THIS 90 DAY OF OCTOBER, 1997.
ATTEST:
49&�S'961(j '
Debbie Gif CMC
Clerk of Council
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EXHIBIT "A"
POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL
SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL
CITY OF KALISPELL
1.0 POLICY
This doctunent states the normal snow and ice removal policies of the City of
Kalispell. Under certain circumstances such as emergency situations, budgetary
and/or personnel limitations, and the unpredictability of weather conditions in
Northwest Montana, these policies may have to be suspended or revised to reflect
conditions in place at the time.
2.0 MONTANA WEATHER CONDITIONS
YEAR
SNOWFALL
1992-93
34.3"
1993-94
57.9"
1994-95
57.6"
1995-96
60.6"
1996-97
126.8"
The overall budgetary and planning goal for our snow and ice removal efforts is to
plan for the worst, hope for the best, budget for an average snowfall and use
contingency funds if we have a severe winter.
3.0 SNOW/ICE REMOVAL - RESOURCES AVAILABLE
3.1 CHEMICALS AND ABRASIVES (3/8" washed „gravel, chips and
Magnesium Chloride)
To ensure conformity with all applicable State and Federal regulations, the City of
Kalispell employs the following policy regarding the use of abrasives and
chemicals for ice and snow control.
The policy of the department is to use Magnesium Chloride for melting of ice and
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hard packed snow. Magnesium Chloride is used only when it can be effectively
applied. Other chemicals may also be investigated and tested for cost effective ice
removal.
Locally available 3/8" washed gravel and chips are used as street sanding
abrasives to help as a driving aide during slippery conditions.
3.2 EQUIPMENT
During normal snow removal operations, the Superintendent shall schedule
appropriate equipment from the snow removal equipment inventory.
During a major snow event, contractor equipment may be placed in service
subject to City Manager concurrence.
3.3 MANPOWER
Total manpower consists of l Superintendent, 7 Foremen, 1 plant manager, 2
mechanics and 27 operators and maintenance personnel. See Appendix for a full
listing of available personnel.
During a major snow event, contractor personnel may be placed in service subject
to City Manager concurrence.
For normal snow events, work schedules shall be determined by the Public Works
Department Superintendent, or the Director of Public works and City Manager as
conditions direct.
4.4 SNOW ROUTES
A primary system of unmarked snow routes has been established for effective
snow removal on the collector and arterial system. The snow routes are divided
into first priority and second priority routes. These routes will be plowed to
provide essential access to residential areas, hospitals, government buildings,
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schools and central businesses. Any hour snow and ice removal will be provided
to the first priority snow routes. (See Appendix)
5.0 MONTTORiNG AND NOTIFICATION OF ICE/SNOW EVENTS
Weather reports shall be continuously monitored by the Police Department and
the Public Works Department Superintendent when inclement weather is
approaching. The Police Chief, Director of Public Works, Public Works
Superintendent and City Manager shall keep each other informed of anticipated
snow events, including timing and intensity of the event. The primary
responsibility for coordinating and directing work shall rest with the Public Works
Department Superintendent
During night time, weekends and holidays the Superintendent shall identify the
shift personnel available for sanding and ice control operations. During these
periods the Police Department shall monitor weather reports and road conditions
and notify the Superintendent when additional action is needed by the Public
Works Department Street Division that cannot be met by on duty shift personnel.
During normal weekday operations, the Police Department dispatcher shall notify
the Superintendent when action may be needed by the Street Division. (See call
list in Appendix for notification of appropriate personnel.)
6.0 OPERATING PROCED
6.1 SNOW REMOVAL PRIORITIES AND GOALS
Snow removal efforts shall be made on a priority system as follows:
First Priority Snow Routes
Second Priority Snow Routes
Other Residential Streets
- Any hour service by
the Street Division for
first priority routes.
- Second priority routes
to receive immediate
attention following
plowing of first priority
routes.
Pu+red t1un 48
h�r� �f�end o£'snow
event for<sno►'all
excess of 3 mc� es
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Alleys - Alleys will not be
plowed except to
maintain essential City
services
Public Parking Lots - Plowed within 12
(Parking lots and sidewalks administered by hours of the end of
the Kalispell Parking Commission are not snow event by Street
covered by this policy) Division.
CBD-Street Parking - Snow moved from
parking areas within 24
hours of snow event by
Street Division,
depending on severity
of occurrence.
Sidewalks, City responsibility - Cleared within 36
hours of end of snow
event by Parks
Department personnel.
6.2 SANDING/ICE CONTROL
Use of street sanding abrasives and chemicals will be dictated by the specific
weather and road conditions of each snow event. Street sanding abrasives and
Magnesium Chloride solution shall be used sparingly and only when application
will produce a positive result.
Sanding abrasives generally will not be used except when a solution of
Magnesium. Chloride will be ineffective. Abrasives may be effectively used when
the temperatures are below 20° F and melting is not expected to tame place,
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6.3 TOWING VEHICLES ILLEGALLY PARKED
Cars parked on the streets during a snow removal effort may be ticketed and/or
towed away. The City Code states:
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6.4 CONC CRMCATIONS
All snow plow equipment shall keep in radio communication with the Police
Dispatch Center or Superintendent at all times. Radio communications by snow
plow operators shall be between supervisor, equipment, and/or Dispatch Center.
The Police Department shall keep the Superintendent advised on road conditions
only and shall not direct the operations of snow removal by the Street Division.
All Communications, whether they are direct, telephone, or radio shall be made in
a courteous manner. No temper flare ups or profane language will be tolerated.
The Superintendent shall periodically inform the Public Works Director on road
conditions and snow removal efforts.
The Police Department may provide periodic notification of the media on street
conditions or when any street needs to be closed due to weather conditions.
6.5 SAFETY
Safety is paramount to any snow event. The sole purpose of the snow/ice removal
operation is to make the streets, sidewalks, alleys and parking lots safe for the
motoring and walking public. The following safety rules shall be observed by all
snow plow operators.
Aj Check your snow removal equipment prior to
leaving the yard including:
1. All working lights and emergency lights.
2. Radio
3. Snow plow and frame for damage
4. Sander
5. Rear view mirrors
6. Flags and reflectors
7. Windshield wipers
8. Heater and defroster
9. Check oil and gas levels.
tfic iiws
C) Report any non -working equipment immediately. _
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F) Slow down if in close quarters with parked cars on a street.
G) Know your route and any fixed objects covered by snow.
H) Travel on wrong side of street is permitted only when
conditions permit safe operation.
AIW- kys 3nawtaan a safe 01::gw ng c s nce
J) Slow down prior to turning -- your plow will tend to push you
where it wants to go.
K) Snow plows are emergency equipment, but they still must
obey all traffic laws and give right-of-way to other vehicles.
L) When plowing in tandem notify following truck prior to
turning.
6.6 CITIZENS COMPLAINTS
.....
ct glatn# a removal ei s7 fie xo the Pub
Worirs vice for f411w�y eupendnt 5rplow shall
avid verbal vgnfi�ono3s wpm es► compnts slll be
treatedtu'ebusly snd falltatved'bp pxnptly
6.7 ACCIDENTS
Report all accidents immediatel to your supervisor and the Police Department.
All accident reporting and documentation shall be performed in accordance with
City of Kalispell Personnel Policies Handbook, Section 70-16.
6.8 CARE AND USE OF EQUIPMENT
The snow plow operator is responsible for routine maintenance on his vehicle.
Report any maintenance needed to the supervisor on duty. Check vehicle before
and after use for any maintenance needed or damage to equipment. The vehicle is
to be refueled at the end of duty shift.
During snow removal emergencies snow removal equipment and public safety
equipment maintenance will take priority over maintenance of any other city
equipment or vehicles, subject to the discretion of the City Manager.
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7.0 LIMIT OF JURISDICTION & RESPONSIBILITY
The City of Kalispell will not be responsible for any snow removal outside its
municipal boundaries.
7.1 PLOWING PRIVATE PROPERTY
It is strictly forbidden for a city plow to clear snow or ice from private property
unless it must be done to allow emergency vehicle access to said private property
for ambulance, fire, or police calls.
7.2 DRIVEWAYS - PRIVATE
City snow plows are not responsible to clear private driveways or snow from
private property. The snow placed in driveways by city plows is the
responsibility of the property owner to remove. Snow from a private driveway or
property maynot be placed on or pushed across a city street. All complaint calls
shall be routed to the Police Department for complaint follow-up and code
enforcement. The City Code states as follows:
Sec. 24-18. Pushing snow from private remises
onto streets and sidewalks. It shall be unlawful to
push snow from private property onto city
sidewalks, streets and boulevards.PAE
equesih
7.3 -SIDEWALKS -PRIVATE RESPONSIBILITY
All sidewalks adjacent to private property are the responsibility of the property
owner or occupant. All complaint calls shall be routed to the Police Department
for complaint follow-up and code enforcement. The City Code states as follows:
Sec. 24-17: Duty to keep sidewalks clean L
snow, ice, etc., removal. It shall be the duty of the
occupant of any premises within the city limits, or
in case the same are unoccupied, then of the owner
or his agent, to keep the sidewalks in front of and
adjoining his premises clean and safe for
pedestrians. Such occupant, owner or agent shall,
within 72 hours ,
remove snow, ice, slush, mud or other impediment
to safe and convenient foot travel, and prevent the
continuance and accumulation of the same.
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A reasonable time period shall be 72 hours for purposes of enforcement. The City
lacks sufficient manpower to clear sidewalks so every effort should be made to
convince the property owner to clear the sidewalk of ice and snow.
7.4 MAILBOXES
7.5 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
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