Discussion:
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 and ice on all other "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 150.73 miles of sidewalks and trails. Last season through the winter of 2016/2017, the city plowed 73.01 miles. An additional 2.17 miles are recommended to be added as follows:
- CH 78 (new trail along north side, from CH 79 to Jennifer Lane)
- CH 79 (new trail along east side, from CH 78 to 17th Avenue)
- 4th Street (new trail along north side, from Shenandoah Drive to CH 83)
The total length of sidewalks and trails to be plowed during the winter of 2017/2018 is 75.18 miles (see attached 2017/2018 Sidewalk and Trail Snow Plowing Map).
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.