Snow and Ice Control Plan with Maps

The City’s Snow and Ice Control Plan is designed to provide prudent drivers with reasonably safe road surfaces on the City’s major collector and arterial roads.

When severe weather is forecast, the City monitors conditions around the clock to respond quickly as needed. Two trucks are equipped as snowplows, and also conduct sanding operations. A third truck serves as a deicing unit; deicing may take place prior to a weather event to prevent or minimize the formation of ice upon a roadway.

In the wake of the February 2021 ice storm, the City’s plan articulates debris removal protocols. In the event of large debris generating event, City crews are to prioritize debris removal along designated plowing routes. Debris generated from private property, including street trees, must be cleared and collected for disposal by the property owner. The establishment of a regional debris collection site is dependent on the severity of the event and available resources.

In the event of snow, Public Works crews begin plowing and sanding roadways after two inches of snow has accumulated. The City prioritizes the clearing of primary roadways to ensure access to essential facilities, such as schools, fire stations, public transit facilities and the police station. Afterward, the City clears or sands roads that provide secondary connectivity and/or help mitigate problem areas. Due to limited staffing and equipment, residential roads are not serviced in the event of  ice and snow.

City Code stipulates that property owners are responsible for clearing ice and snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property. For the few sidewalks located adjacent City property, crews clear a path at least four feet wide. To reduce the accumulation of ice, crews may apply a minimal amount of deicing product.

To support an effective  community-wide response to severe weather, please remember:

• No parking is allowed along the City’s snow and sanding routes.
• Snow and ice must be cleared from sidewalks and driveway approaches.
• Snow should never be heaped over catch basins or culvert pipe openings in order to prevent flooding, unsafe driving conditions and/or property damage.
• The City recommends that residents clear their frontage after the City snowplow has passed.
• Though it is uncommon, residential property owners can be sued in civil court by pedestrians who fall and suffer injuries on unsafe sidewalks.
• Debris generated from private property, including street trees, are the responsibility of property owners.