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With the advent of each North Idaho snow season comes the
concern about access to work, school and business.
The City of Sandpoint has adopted a snow removal policy to
serve as a guide for city operations and to inform roadway users
of the process by which snow removal situations will be addressed:
When Snow Plows Will Be Dispatched
The Snow Plow Routes And Parking Along Those Routes
The Use Of De-Icing And Traction Agents
Personal Property and City Responsibility
Communicating With The City About Snow Removal Conditions/ Problems
Due to conditions beyond anyone's control--e.g., uneven road surfaces,
cars driving on new snow before plows arrive, etc.-the city cannot
always assure a completely bare roadway surface. Nonetheless,
the safety of the traveling public is the paramount concern of
the City. Our goal is to have all city roadways passable within
a reasonable amount of time after a snowfall has stopped.
When Snowplows Will Be Dispatched
The City will not usually dispatch snowplows until after
a snowfall has stopped. It is simply not economical to continuously
plow each street, and there are times when it is too hazardous
to the snowplow drivers to be plowing. However, the Public Works
Director will make exceptions if the snowfall appears to be heavy
and sustained.
If the snow stops falling during regular working hours, plows
may be dispatched at that time. If snowfall stops during the
night or early morning hours, plows will be dispatched at an early
morning hour. Weekend plowing will be handled in a similar fashion.
The exception: Snowplows normally stay off emergency snow routes
during peak traffic hours to avoid congestion and visibility problems.
The Snowplow Routes and
Parking Along Those Routes
Emergency Snow Routes- A system of "emergency snow
routes" has been established to ensure access to critical
facilities, emergency services and trunk highways.
Commercial Access Routes-These are supplemental to the
emergency routes and provide access to major business centers.
For both of these route systems, upon an accumulation of two
(2) to four (4) inches of snow, at the discretion of the Public
Works Director, snow plows will plow the snow from the center
of the roadway to the curb line or roadway shoulder where it will
be stored.
Upon the accumulation of measurable snow, parking on Emergency
Snow Routes and Commercial Access Routes is prohibited until the
entire width of the roadway has been plowed. Signs will be
posted.
Downtown Business Routes-Upon an accumulation of two
(2) to four (4) inches of snow, at the discretion of the Public
Works Director, snow plows will plow the snow from the curb lines
to the center of the roadway from where it will be removed and
hauled away. Normally the plowing and removal will occur simultaneously.
However, certain conditions may cause the piled snow to remain
for a period time.
After snow has been plowed from the curb lines, depositing
snow from sidewalks onto the roadway is prohibited. Depositing
snow from parking areas and alleyways onto the street is prohibited
at all times.
Parking is prohibited in the Downtown Business Routes until
the snow has been plowed from the curb lines.
Residential Streets-Upon an
accumulation of two (2) to four (4) inches of snow, at the discretion of the
Public Works Director, snowplows will plow ALL residential streets. (Residential
streets are defined as all roadways not classified as "emergency snow routes,"
"downtown business routes" or "commercial access routes.")
It shall be unlawful for any person to park a
vehicle on any city street of the city, whether designated as a loading zone or
not, at any time after snow has fallen and the accumulation of snow is such that
covers said street with the following exceptions:
A. Residential zones only, on odd numbered
calendar days, parking is allowed on the side of the street with odd numbered
addresses; and on even numbered calendar day, parking is allowed on the side of
the street with even numbered addresses.
B. In the downtown limited parking zone, such
regulation shall apply only between the hours of two o'clock (2:00) A.M. to six
o'clock (6:00) A.M.
Said parking restrictions shall remain in effect
after the snow has ceased to fall and until snow removal operations have been
completed. (Ord. 1177, 7-18-2007)
Vehicles left on streets during parking prohibitions are subject
to removal (towing) by the Sandpoint Police Department.
A good job of snowplowing on residential streets can happen
if everyone does their part.
The Use Of De-Icing and
Traction Agents
The EPA's and the City's concern for air pollution limit our
use of sand. Although sand works great on snow and ice, after
the snow season passes, cars and trucks kick sand residue into
our air.
We will use crushed rock (anti-skid) materials at intersections
to provide stopping/ starting traction.
A chemical de-icing agent, magnesium chloride, a naturally
occurring mineral, is used on selected roadways-for example, the
emergency routes-to control the formation of ice.
Personal Property and City
Responsibility
Mailboxes
Mailboxes damaged during snow removal will be evaluated on a case
by case basis. Only those mailboxes that were properly located
and installed in accordance with City of Sandpoint and United
States Postal Service standards, and which were damaged by actual
contact with City equipment, will be considered for repair at
City expense.
Depositing snow on public roadways
City residents are reminded that it is unlawful to deposit
snow upon public roadways. Piles of snow left on or near the
roadway can freeze into a solid mass, creating a hazardous situation
for vehicles and snowplows. The property owner can be held liable
for collisions and damages caused by snow piles placed in the
roadway.
Assistance to stranded motorists
City personnel may assist stranded motorists by contacting
law enforcement or emergency personnel. City employees will not
attempt to remove vehicles from ditches, snowbanks or any other
impediment.
Driveways
City plows are equipped with "snow gates" so that
when the plow arrives at a driveway, the driver will make every
effort not to plow in the driveway.
Communicating With The City
About Snow Removal Conditions/ Problems
Questions or concerns regarding snow removal operations may
be directed to the Public Works Director at 263-3407 between 8:00
a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or the City Shop at 263-3428 between 7:00 a.m.
- 4:00 p.m.
Snow removal is a partnership between residents and the City.
Part of everyone's job is to communicate their questions
and concerns.
Listen to local radio stations KPND (93.5 FM) and KSPT (1400
AM) for information on road conditions and snow emergency declarations. |
