Goals

The goal during snow and ice events is to keep the main and secondary streets as clear as possible, curb-to-curb, this may require running the routes more than a couple of times during a snow or ice event. The intention is to be proactive not reactive!

Snow Event

When a snow event occurs, the crews will begin to plow and salt/sand when the depth reaches 1/2 inch to maintain good driving surfaces on all the main and secondary streets in the city, throughout the day, while plowing the remaining streets at 2 a.m.

Ice Event

When an ice event occurs, the crews will begin to salt/sand immediately to maintain good driving surfaces on all the main and secondary streets in the city, throughout the day. After the main and secondary streets, all other streets will be salt/sanded.

Factors Considered in Plowing Times

Since each snow or ice occurrence is unique, there are many factors to be considered; the time of day or night when the snow or ice begins falling, how much snow or ice is expected to fall, when the snow or ice is expected to stop, whether or not high winds are forecasted, as well as if the temperature is expected to rise or fall, etc. The city generally begins to plow curb-to-curb at 2 a.m. when a snowfall total has reached or exceeded 1 and a half inches to take advantage of the city’s winter no-parking ordinance, which is in a place form 2 - 7 a.m. from November 1 to April 1.

Snow Plowing

While the city usually begins to plow at 2 a.m., if a major snowfall or snowstorm occurs (generally when a snow amount greater than 6 inches is expected), with this type of snowfall, the side streets (anything not listed as a main or secondary) will have one path plowed out down the center of the roadway. Trying to minimize, putting more snow on one side of the street than the other. We will start plowing a path down the center of all side streets and alleys, at the 4 inch plus mark. Light sanding can be done at intersections, if it is warranted. The combination of daytime plowing conditions and the weather forecast will determine when a total curb-to-curb plowing will be done or a path through the center of the roadway.

All main and secondary streets will be salt/sanded mid-blocks and at all stopping/turning points.  The only exception is during major snow events. The intent here is to have bare road surfaces on these roads when possible.

While the conditions and forecast determine how and when to plow, the main goal of the Public Works Department is to serve citizens and businesses by keeping city streets and roadways as safe and drivable as possible at all times.

Snow Removal Map

View our snow removal map (PDF).