Winter in the Chosen Valley!
Any time snowfall is in the forecast, and especially when it starts to snow, it is most helpful for the City Crew in cleaning the streets, if no vehicles or trailers are parked in the street when plows come by.
Accommodating parking needs and winter street maintenance is a balancing act. In order to allow residents to make the most use of the streets as possible, the City Council has chosen not to adopt even-odd parking or to totally prohibit parking during the winter months. Instead, residents are allowed to use the streets all winter long, but asked to move vehicles when necessary to accommodate the plows. If a plow driver must plow around a vehicle, a ticket will be issued. While it might seem difficult to anticipate when the plows might go out, this is the only way to allow the most use of the streets as possible.
Sidewalks
Sidewalks need to be cleared as quickly and completely as possible, after a snowfall (within 24 hours)!!!
Pedestrians depend on the sidewalks and need the corners clear, too.
Downtown business owners need to clear the entire sidewalk, from the building to the curb. Please keep downtown safe, convenient & inviting.
Homeowners need to clear the public sidewalk in front of their home. Clear safe sidewalks are extremely important to young children as they walk to school early in the morning. Please respect the safety and convenience of your neighbors and keep the sidewalks clear.
To assist in keeping the public walks clear, citizens may obtain small amounts of salt / sand from the City sand pile located at 315 Third Street SW (across from Groen Park). Please limit yourself to a 5 gallon pail. This service is not meant for private driveways or parking lots, rather it is meant to keep public walkways safe for all to enjoy.
Snowplowing
Generally, plowing procedures begin, as closely as possible to the end of the snowfall, to avoid plowing twice. However, depending on the type of precipitation and the temperature, if conditions warrant, plow operators inspect routes during a snowfall for icy conditions and salt / sand as needed. During a large, continuous snowfall, plowing operations may occur multiple times. The best practice is to not park on the City Streets if snow is in the forecast.
Sanding
Streets are sanded in the following order;
- Intersections where City streets adjoin County and State highways, schools & pedestrian crossings, bridge decks and all arterial stop sign intersections.
- Local street intersections having higher than average traffic volumes and streets with hills or curves.
- All other stop sign areas.
- Areas considered to be hazardous.
Snow Removal from Private Property
When snow is being removed from your driveway or parking lot (whether you do it or hire someone to do it), do not move it onto public roads, sidewalks, or neighboring property. Moving snow and ice from private property onto or across a public roadway is a violation of State Statute. Pushing snow onto a sidewalk is prohibited by City Ordinance.
Winter Parking
City ordinance 16-2(b) does not allow vehicles to be parked or to be left unattended on the streets or in the alleys such that they interfere with the plowing or removal of snow. If it is snowing or is about to snow, do not park on the street until the street is plowed curb to curb.
Parking is strictly prohibited in the downtown area during snow removal (when the snow is banked in the middle of the street for pick up & removal).
The fine amount for a ticket issued for violation of ordinance 16-2(b) is $25.00 plus about $95.00 for towing and impound plus $10.00 per day storage if applicable.