SNOW
Parking during snow events (map) coming soon
Winter is just around the corner and we would like to remind residents about the City’s policy on snow removal:
During moderate snow falls, the Boone Public Works Department will make two initial passes with plowing equipment on every residential street, thereby opening the center of each street for vehicular traffic. Once all streets have been opened in this manner, the City crews will return to complete the curbside plowing. By reducing the priority of curb-edge plowing during minor to moderate snow falls, the process by which all streets are initially opened can be expedited. This will afford greater access to roadways by the general public.
The City will maintain its policy of plowing all emergency snow routes on a curb-to-curb basis prior to the commencement of plowing in residential areas.
Under severe snow conditions, the policy of removing snow from curb-to-curb will be followed (this is typically when the Snow Ordinance is put into effect - no parking in Public Right-of-Way). If the City were to follow the "two pass" process as described above, large windrows would accumulate along the curb-edge and would prevent access to the street from private driveways.
In severe conditions, we ask for your patience and understanding. Be advised that no street or development is always last to be plowed. IT IS THE CITY'S POLICY TO ROTATE THE RESIDENTIAL PLOWING SCHEDULE WITH EACH SNOWFALL SO THAT NO ONE NEIGHBORHOOD OR STREET REMAINS IN THE SAME POSITION ON THE PLOWING SCHEDULE.
The City would like to remind all property owners that the plowing of snow is an imperfect process and certain inconveniences are unavoidable. The two most common complaints received by the City are damage to mailboxes and the plowing closed of previously cleared driveways. There are no remedies to these problems. City plows must operate at a minimum rate of speed in order to create enough momentum to remove snow from the road, therefore, windrows are unavoidable. Old, unsecured mailboxes are prone to damage because of the weight of the snow. The City will not be responsible for improperly mounted or maintained mailboxes that are damaged by snow.
We ask for your understanding and your acceptance of these realities and suggest that, if possible, you delay shoveling your driveway until after the City plows have completed curb-to-curb snow removal.
PLEASE REMOVE VEHICLES FROM THE ROADWAY WHEN SNOWFALL IS PREDICTED. Snow Emergencies are declared by the Mayor’s designee and announced on KWBG News Radio (1590) and central Iowa television stations. DURING PERIODS OF "SNOW EMERGENCY," VEHICLES ARE PROHIBITED FROM PARKING OR STANDING UNATTENDED ON ANY ROADWAY WITHIN THE CITY. The purpose of the "Snow Emergency" is to facilitate snow plowing. Any vehicles parked on the roadway will be ticketed and towed. The City will make an initial contact via e-mail or text enabled phone if you provide us with your e-mail address or cell phone number and current wireless provider. Send this information to clerk@city.boone.ia.us
Residents are reminded that within 48 hours (24 hours for commercial businesses) after snow has ceased to fall, or the formation of ice has occurred, a 24" path must be cleared on all sidewalks. Residents are advised that when clearing snow from driveways, it should not be shoveled into the roadway.
Now, A Reminder About Mailbox Placement...
In order to minimize the possibility of damage to your mailbox during snow plowing operations, mailboxes should be installed so that the front of the mailbox is even with the back of the curb. In areas that have no curbs, the face of the mailbox should be set back six inches from the edge of the blacktopped roadway.
It is important for residents to realize that a certain amount of momentum is necessary in order for plows to move snow on the roadways. City employees, as well as contracted snow removal personnel make every effort to avoid hitting or damaging mailboxes, however, accidents do happen. The City will not assume responsibility for damage to mailboxes that are improperly located or for mailboxes that show evidence of prior post deterioration. |