Snow Plowing

We have approximately 12,500 residential units on 150 plus miles of road. Each plow truck is assigned a designated area. This equipment is designed to push snow to the side. Creating an unavoidable situation of plowing snow in front of driveways and mailboxes in order to open all roads for public access.

The number one priority is the city's main roads. These are considered to be roads most traveled by the public and first responders. Main roads are always plowed, salted and maintained to a level of safe travel. Snow zones are designed where residents do not travel more than a quarter mile out of their subdivision to reach a main road.

When plow drivers see that main roads are acceptable for safe travel, clearing secondary arteries and subdivisions will start. We will cut the center of the roads throughout the entire subdivision and later return to clear curb to curb.

The last to be cleared of snow are the 300 plus cul-de-sacs and no outlets due to the time required and traffic affected. The reason cul-de-sacs are so time consuming is the limitations as to where the snow can be pushed.

We ask that all residents work with us in making our job easier by remembering to comply with the city's no parking on streets during snow removal. We also ask that residents do not push snow into the streets. This creates road hazards that causes unsafe driving conditions. If a medical emergency occurs, please call 911! We assist all first responders during weather events when requested. The Street department has plowed and cleared snow covered roadways for the fire department emergency vehicles.

Remember, we have many miles of road to clear. This takes 3 to 4 swipes to open a street depending on the volume of snow. Your street department usually can clear all roads within 24 hours in a typical snow weather event. Expect delays in clearing snowy roadways when unforeseen equipment failures happen or continued deteriorating weather conditions such as lake effect, high winds and frigid temperatures occur.

Section 78-296. - Parking during snow removal.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to park any vehicle on the paved or travelled portion of any street within the city for a period of time longer than five minutes for loading and unloading persons or passengers or 30 minutes for loading or unloading property at any time after snow begins to fall and the snow on the streets exceeds two inches in depth. (b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be fined the sum of $25 for the first offense, and $100 for each subsequent offense. In addition, the police department shall remove and impound any vehicle parked on the street in violation of this section. The owner of a vehicle so removed and impounded shall, in addition to any fine imposed under this subsection, be financially responsible for the expenses incurred in the removal and storage of his vehicle. (Code 1985, § 18-11-6; Ordinance Number 89-18, §§ 1, 2, 5-2-89; Ordinance Number 90-13, §§ 2, 3, 3-6-90; Ordinance Number 09-5, § 2, 2-17-09)