2024 01-16 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 City of Gem Lake Snow and Ice Policy as based on the MINNESOTA MODEL SNOW AND ICE MANAGEMENT POLICY January 16, 2024 A. Introduction It is among the responsibilities of the City of Gem Lake to manage snow and ice on city streets and public property under the city’s jurisdiction. The purpose of this document is to set policies for how the City of Gem Lake will fulfill this responsibility and to identify those City officials and employees/consultants who are authorized to set subordinate policies and make judgments in the course of carrying out snow and ice management activities. Note that due to its small size and limited budget, the City of Gem Lake will contract for snow removal on city- owned streets or alleyways. As of the current version of this policy, January, 2024, the current contracted entity responsible for plowing Gem Lake city streets is White Bear Township. The City of Gem Lake recognizes that White Bear Township has its own snow and ice policy that its public works staff follows, thus that policy is incorporated here by reference. Likewise, certain Gem Lake streets are maintained by Ramsey County Public Works. These streets include County Road E, LaBore Road, Goose Lake Road, and Otter Lake Road. Ramsey County Public Works staff will determine and establish the priority levels for these roads. Setting policies for snow and ice management involves evaluating and weighing a number of considerations, including the following: 1. Public safety. The safety of those traveling by motor vehicle, on foot and by other modes of transportation is of high priority. The goal of the City of Gem Lake is to provide for surface conditions that are safe for travel in consideration of surrounding conditions and circumstances. Also, vehicles and personnel engaged in snow and ice management activity can increase risk to the public by virtue of their presence on public ways during times when travel conditions and vision are impaired. 2. Personnel safety. City contracted personnel incur risk by their presence on public ways while managing snow and ice. The safety of City contracted personnel as well is of the utmost importance. 3. Cost. City funds are limited and taxpayers require that they be spent cost-effectively. It is not possible to address all snow and ice issues simultaneously and completely. It is not practical to maintain equipment and personnel availability at a level that is sufficient for all circumstances. 4. Environment. Materials to maintain or improve surface traction contribute pollutants such as sand and chlorides to surface waters and to City of Gem Lake stormwater basins and other facilities, which in turn can increase the cost of maintaining those facilities. It is important not to use an excess of these materials. Chloride harms fish and other freshwater aquatic life and also negatively affects infrastructure, vehicles, plants, soil, pets, and wildlife, as well as impairs groundwater and drinking water supplies. Once in the water, chloride becomes a permanent pollutant and continues to accumulate in the environment over time. The data show that salt concentrations are increasing impairments to both surface waters and groundwater across the state. 5. Priority setting to optimize outcomes. Because consideration must be given to all factors, it is necessary to set priorities for snow and ice management activities. Considerations include, though are not limited to, maintenance area classification and vehicle use level, need for emergency vehicle access, areas of known safety risk, reported conditions, costs, and impact on the environment. 6. Management/professional/technical judgment. Policies and practices rest on management, professional, and technical knowledge, on prevailing weather and travel conditions and on other circumstances that operators encounter. As to important policy elements, the Gem Lake City Council cannot state a policy but instead must delegate the authority to establish and adjust the policy to the professional judgment of appropriate contracted White Bear Township personnel. p-tr1-51a