Snow and Ice Control Policy

Rural Municipality of Cartier, Manitoba

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ISSUE DATE: REVISION/REVIEW DATE(S): - December 2019 - February 2022 (Resolution No. 22-046) - March 2022 (Resolution No. 22-100) PAGE 1 of 3 Rural Municipality of Cartier Section: MS - MUNICIPAL SERVICES (HIGHWAYS) Policy No. MS - 3.5 SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish a quality standard for snow clearing, snow removal, and for sanding of streets, roads, sidewalks, and Municipal owned properties within the Rural Municipality of Cartier. 1.0 POLICY STATEMENT Using resources allocated by Council, the Municipality, will clear and/or remove snow and ice as necessary on municipal roadways/property in accordance with this policy. Snow clearing operations will commence at the discretion of the Public Works Manager but will typically begin once the snowfall has ended or is expected to end shortly, and visibility is greater than 300 meters. In cases where the snow fall ends the evening before or during the night, snow clearing operations may begin the following morning or at any time that is as soon as practicable as determined by the Public Works Manager. The Municipality's goal for completion of snow clearing of municipal maintained roads and streets is 3 days or sooner. Employees and equipment will be dispatched or put on standby according to the Public Works Manager's discretion and upon review of meteorological forecasts and other factors such as wind velocity and direction. During extreme snowfall events where the snowfall amount and/or accompanying severe drifting conditions makes it impractical to complete the snow clearing operations with a full complement of resources and continuous effort, the time limits specified may be extended as required. ISSUE DATE: REVISION/REVIEW DATE(S): - December 2019 - February 2022 (Resolution No. 22-046) - March 2022 (Resolution No. 22-100) PAGE 2 of 3 2.0 PRIORITIES The order of snow clearing priorities is as follows: 1st Priority: Roads required for emergency services, school bus routes as determined by Prairie Rose School Division and Red River School Division, and urban areas. 2nd Priority: Any remaining paved municipal roads, followed by gravel roads and dirt roads if necessary. 3rd Priority: Recreational centres, churches, and parking lots. 4th Priority: Sidewalks and pathways. 5th Priority: Second pass on all roads as needed, snow removal/snow windrowing, and other municipal owned properties. These priorities apply to every snow removal and ice control operation; however, the Public Works Manager has the discretion to deviate from these priorities depending on conditions. 3.0 SNOW REMOVAL Some urban centres may require removal of snow from storage areas to maintain safety and access to fire hydrants and to keep site lines clear. Snow windrowing in problem areas using motor graders may also be necessary. The Public Works Manager or their designate shall have the discretion in determining when to commence such works. 4.0 SPECIAL SITUATIONS The Public Works Manager shall have the authority to dispatch equipment for special situations that arise outside of day-to-day operations such as medical emergencies. 5.0 RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY FOR THIS POLICY The Public Works Manager or their designate is charged with the responsibility for executing snow and ice clearing, using their best efforts and judgement to ensure that municipal roads, sidewalks, and parking lots are safely navigable, and for coordinating maintenance and removal operations. In addition, they are responsible for exercising the appropriate levels of authority to ensure that best practices are used and that resources ISSUE DATE: REVISION/REVIEW DATE(S): - December 2019 - February 2022 (Resolution No. 22-046) - March 2022 (Resolution No. 22-100) PAGE 3 of 3 are efficiently and effectively allocated to execute snow and ice removal in accordance with this policy. The Public Works Manager or designate retains the authority to alter assignments based on weather conditions, equipment, and safety of the staff, staff availability, and other conditions related to snow removal/ice control. In cooperation with emergency services and other Public Works personnel, the Public Works Manager or their designate shall continuously monitor weather conditions to determine appropriate action. 6.0 PUSHING SNOW, SLUSH, OR ICE ONTO PUBLIC ROADWAYS It shall be considered a violation of this policy to move snow, slush, or ice from private properties onto or across public roadways. Resolution No. 474-10 (see attached) provides that any ratepayer who pushes snow onto any municipal road will be charged for the cost of removal at a rate of $100.00 per hour with a minimum one-hour charge.