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2 <br /> <br />7. Need for adaptability. Particularly with respect to effectiveness, cost and environmental consequences, <br />snow and ice management is a realm of innovation. It is important that Gem Lake’s policy allows for <br />personnel to maintain awareness of developments and allow for practices to be adjusted as appropriate. The <br />public must practice due care given the continuously changing hazards presented by natural snow and ice <br />concerns. <br />The policies stated in this document, as well as any delegations of authority to set subordinate policies, rest on an <br />assessment and balancing of these considerations. It is not possible or practicable for snow and ice to be fully <br />removed from all surfaces or prevented from accumulating on surfaces. The City of Gem Lake encourages and <br />expects that City residents and other members of the traveling public will at all times conduct their activities <br />mindful of conditions, hazards, and what is necessary to remain safe. <br />B. Snow and Ice Management Priorities <br />The City of Gem Lake differentiates among maintenance areas based on a variety of factors, including traffic <br />volume and location (e.g., business district). The established Gem Lake priority is as follows: <br /> <br />Classification Target Regain Time Lane Description <br />Super Commuter <br />Arterials <br />Central Business District/ Downtown <br />0-3 hours The goal of the jurisdiction having <br />authority is to achieve driving lanes <br />that are as free of snow and ice as <br />reasonably possible in a northern <br />climate. Drivers should take due <br />care when driving on snow and ice <br />surfaces, including reducing their <br />speed. <br />Any associated recordkeeping will <br />be determined and maintained by <br />the jurisdiction having authority for <br />individual roads. <br />Urban Commuter 2-5 hours <br />Rural Commuter <br />Remaining streets, including cul-de- <br />sacs <br />4-9 hours <br />Alleys, parking lots, sidewalks, trails, <br />and other surfaces for non-motorized <br />travel <br />9-36 hours <br /> <br />However, the City of Gem Lake will also consider localized safety concerns, reported hazard conditions and other <br />relevant information in adjusting priorities. The Mayor, or delegated authority, has discretion to direct the resources <br />contained in this Policy. Within the policies and directives set by the Mayor, or delegated authority, operations <br />personnel may adjust their activity as well to address safety concerns, improve effectiveness, reduce costs, and limit <br />environmental impacts. <br /> <br />The City of Gem Lake is not responsible for managing snow and ice on streets, sidewalks, or other areas not within <br />City’s jurisdiction. <br />C. Training <br />It is important that personnel involved in snow and ice management receive appropriate training to inform their <br />operational capacities and the judgment that they must exercise in performing their responsibilities. The Mayor is <br />delegated the authority to determine and provide for appropriate training and tasked to inform the City Council of <br />training funding needs during budgeting. <br /> <br />The City of Gem Lake will document, or require documentation of, all training that it requires or conducts. <br />D. Delegations of Authority <br />Authority with respect to snow and ice management decisions is delegated as follows: <br />1. Mayor of Gem Lake or delegated authority. The Mayor of Gem Lake, or delegated authority, will <br />exercise general oversight of snow and ice management activities and will make recommendations to the <br />City Council on staffing, purchases and funding as a part of annual budgeting. The Mayor or delegated <br />authority will exercise responsibility with respect to personnel training as indicated in Section C, above.