Laserfiche WebLink
Item # 6.4 <br />MEMORANDUM <br />giver <br />TO: Mayor and City Council <br />FROM: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br />DATE: January 9, 2012 <br />SUBJECT: Sidewalk and Trail Snow Removal <br />During the recent New Year's weekend we requested parks maintenance staff to clean the <br />sidewalks and trails from the New Year's Eve slush and snow that occurred. It was not a <br />typical fluffy snow but aslush/sleet combination that started with a rain changeover to <br />snow. Parks Maintenance Supervisor Rodney Schreifels used his judgment based on past <br />experience to work on the trails and sidewalks before they froze and further become more <br />work. The additional work would have included additional staff time on regular hours and <br />use of equipment and additional supplies that would have taken time and additional cost <br />during the week. <br />Two parks maintenance employees were already scheduled to work Monday morning (city <br />New Year's holiday) to clean the Handke ice rinks. We did not schedule anyone for Sunday <br />morning because of the holiday. Due to the snowfall, we brought in two employees to clear <br />the snow off the rinks Sunday morning. These two employees and a third employee who <br />was called in cleared the snow and ice off the sidewalks and trails Sunday morning. A <br />majority of the snow/sleet removal was Sunday morning and some was completed Monday <br />morning. A total of 13 hours of overtime was used New Year's holiday weekend (Sunday <br />and Monday) to clear the sidewalks and trails. <br />The current snow ordinance outlines that residents are required to clear snow on their <br />sidewalks within 24-hours of a snow event. The actual ordinance reads as follows: <br />Section 46-34 (8). All sidewalks must be free of snow and ice during normal business <br />hours in commercial and industrial honed districts and within 24 hours after a snowfall <br />within residential honed districts. <br />Based on the ordinance, past experience, and the type of snowfall we received, Mr. Schreifels <br />made the decision to clear the sidewalks and trails. <br />We would appreciate direction from City Council regarding snow removal of sidewalks/trails <br />during holidays based on our current ordinance, policies and past practices. <br />~®~EaEe ~r <br />~JIA~ <br />