In accordance with City Code 90.04, after snow has ceased to be deposited, snow removal on public sidewalks must be completed within 24 hours on commercial property and within 36 hours on property zoned other than commercial.  As per City Council direction on December 6, 1994, the Public Works Department shall maintain snow removal on all sidewalks and trails that abut collector streets and county roadways.  Property owners are required to remove snow on all other sidewalks and trails along "local" streets.  Per city policy, plowing by the city is not required unless there is an accumulation of 2" or more.  

The city has a total of 153.4 miles of sidewalks and trails.  Last season through the winter of 2017/2018, the city plowed 79.1 miles.  An additional 1.0 miles are recommended to be added as follows:

• CH 16 (new trail along north side, from CH 15 to Windemere Way)
• Windemere Way (new trail along west side, from CH 16 to CH 15)
• CH 15 (new trail along west side, from Windemere Way to CH 16)
• Vierling Dr. (new trail along south side and sidewalk along north side, from Taylor St. to CH 69)

The total length of sidewalks and trails to be plowed during the winter of 2018/ 2019 is 80.1 miles (see attached 2018/2019 Sidewalk and Trail Snow Plowing Map).

It should also be noted that over the past few years, the following miscellaneous areas were being plowed and/or added and the annual Sidewalk and Trail Snow Plowing Maps were not correctly depicted in the past:

• Southbridge Community Park (Dog Park)
• County Road 21 underpass trail
• Adams Street trail along Hyvee (added mid-winter in 2018-2019)

Currently, Public Works staff use seven plowing routes for sidewalks and trails.  Per city policy, due to limited personnel available, the department plows sidewalks and trails only after the majority of the streets are plowed.  It is also policy that the designated trails should be cleared as thoroughly as possible but need not be cleared of all ice and snow (e.g. compacted snow) nor need they be maintained to bare pavement.  Additionally, in extreme snow events, it

should be understood that the timelines for sidewalks and trails can be delayed while focusing on the snow and ice control on the public roadways for safety reasons. 

Funding is included in the current budgets for 2018 and for 2019. It should be noted with increased development and the addition of sidewalks and trails and to maintain the same service levels, it may be necessary to increase resources in the near future.