WINTER IN WEST DES MOINES
expectation from our citizens, the City takes a serious approach to the problems associated with snow and ice control.
W
The City’s responsibility is to clear the streets quickly, efficiently, and safely.
Priority Snow Removal
1. All arterial streets – the major street network which must be kept open to provide a transportation system for police, fire, and rescue squad units.
2. All remaining residential streets including cul-de-sacs.
3. Alleys and City parking lots.
Snow Emergency Parking Ban
To accomplish the removal of snow quickly and most effectively, a Snow Emergency Parking Ban is implemented by the Public Works Director, or their designee.
If a prediction for snow or winter weather conditions exists, check the City’s website or call the Snow Hotline 273-0766 to see if there is a Parking Ban in place! Both are available 24/7. Signing up for eUPDATEs on the City’s website home page will initiate an immediate notification when a parking ban is placed. Facebook users may “Like” the City of West Des Moines on Facebook to receive notices, or follow us on Twitter.
ith an estimated population of 56,600, over 760 lane miles of streets, and the high level of
Vehicles must be removed from all City streets, alleys and city-owned parking areas when the Snow Emergency Parking Ban is in effect. Vehicles parked in these areas are subject to being towed or a $50 ticket. The parking ban is effective from its proclamation through 5:00 p.m. the following day, unless it is extended by an additional proclamation due to the length of the storm or large volume of snowfall.
If you normally park in any of these areas, now is the perfect time to make a plan for when the Emergency Parking Ban is in place and parking is not allowed.
Citizen Responsibilities
Snow can be beautiful, but it can also create hazards. When residents fail to clear their sidewalks, falls and injuries may occur. Residents are required by ordinance to clear sidewalks (including those crossing alleys, crosswalks and driveways) within 24 hours of the end of a storm. Please place the snow in your yard, not in the street. A helpful hint for residents - clear your sidewalk after the snowplows have completely finished plowing the street to the curb. If your sidewalk is icy, please apply sand or applicable deicer product to alleviate the hazard and reduce pedestrian injury.
Mailboxes
The City will plow the snow within the confines of curb line to curb line of a street. During extreme winter events there may be times when City plows cannot physically place the snow onto the public right-of-way (commonly referred to as the “parking”).
12 WDMMAGAZINE • WINTER/SPRING 2012 Visit us on the web at
www.wdm.iowa.gov
During these times the resident will be responsible for clearing the snow around their mailbox to assure delivery of mail. It is also the resident’s responsibility for assuring that their mailbox is properly installed with the face of the door at least six (6”) inches, but no more than eight (8”) inches behind the face of the curb. The post should be at least 24” away from the face of the curb, and it should be adequately constructed to withstand snow clearing efforts but meet “breakaway” criteria. In the Fall of the year, staff will conduct pre-season inspections of mailbox placement throughout the community. If a mailbox is found to be out of compliance, they will notify the resident with a door hanger so the proper corrections can be made before winter begins. Damage to mailboxes that have not been repaired or brought into compliance will not be eligible for a claim adjustment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SNOW CONTROL
How do we know when the Snow Emergency Parking Ban is in affect? 1. Snow Hotline - Call 2730-SNO. (273-0766).
2. Check the front page of the WDM web site:
www.wdm.iowa.gov
3. “Like” the City of West Des Moines on Facebook
4. Follow the City of West Des Moines on Twitter
Visit us on the web at
www.wdm.iowa.gov WINTER/SPRING 2012 • WDMMAGAZINE 13
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