Snow & Ice

Our sanders have the spotlight tonight, but the blades are ready for back up.

Our snow team is anticipating 4"-9" of snow (per NWS) Monday evening after 4:00 p.m. (40% chance) into Tuesday evening (November 25). Prior to a snow event, and each day within the event, Public Works Operations leads a multi-department information meeting. Prior to the first precipitation, here are the reports from around the table:
STREET: The ground is warm, so we'll be watching how that plays with the snowfall. Wind will pick up during the night so we'll be prioritizing sanding hills. We have 4 sanders ready with the 5th possible this evening. Blades are ready. Day shift will stay through until nightshift arrives.
SHOP: Equipment is ready. Loaders are ready. Setting a few GPS tracking features.
MINOT CITY TRANSIT: Superintendent will be out early to safety check routes for buses.
POLICE: Ready
FIRE: Ready
AIRPORT: 12 hour day/night shifts start tonight
COUNTY: Ready
MINOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS: In communication with parents. Will include PW Ops and Transit in any decision announcements.
TRINITY: Ready. Adjustments made to fencing along lot near City Hall.
CONSIDERATIONS: South 16th Street is well known for blowing snow. Streets will be keeping an eye on the area through the night. Consider Broadway for your school commute.

SNOW PLAN AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS PLEASE VISIT: https://www.minotnd.gov/300/Street
 Here are some snow removal operation changes of note:

COMMUNICATION:

Coordinating with Minot Police Department and Code Enforcement to ensure updated ordinances are properly enforced throughout the City.

Early notification and decision-making for a snow removal emergency proclamation to keep emergency snow routes clear of parked vehicles. 

Ensure early recommendations to Mayor for Emergency Declarations to authorize funding for third-party snow removal services. (We're aware that the word 'emergency' is a little heavy handed. Read it as the whole phrase: 'snow removal emergency.' All the words have to be present to trigger the full effect of the ordinance, including enforcement and fees.)

Communicate with downtown businesses to facilitate snow removal operations and create a safer environment for patrons. (Street parking downtown is City responsibility, while sidewalk removal is business owner responsibility. Our teams have been in discussions about how to work in the same direction toward the same goal.)

Update on-call processes to ensure support personnel availability during night operations.

ENFORCEMENT & FEES:

Sidewalk snow removal time extended from 24 hours to 72 hours.

Fees for failing to remove snow from sidewalks will now take effect.

Fees for piling snow in the public right-of-way will now take effect.

Towing of vehicles that are obstructing snow removal operations will now be enforced more strictly, resulting in vehicles being towed for non-compliance with City ordinances. (Please see snow removal priority maps.)

OPERATIONS:

Early vetting for all City third-party contractors to ensure availability for additional support if required.

Continue testing new cutting edges for motor graders to maximize efficiency and extend the useful life of equipment components.

Explore agreements to reduce snow accumulation in the downtown area and test future strategies, including future snow drop locations for contractors, to extend assistance for all businesses spanning quadrants of the City.

Seasonal inspections and functional checks earlier to ensure equipment readiness for snow events.