Can’t the city remove the snow they put in my driveway or sidewalks? Unfortunately, we cannot. When you consider the vast number of driveways and sidewalks throughout the City, it would be very expensive for the taxpayers of the community to provide this type of service. The Public Works Department has over 700 miles of public streets to plow during storm events and typically does this with approximately 14 operators per shift. While we try our best to minimize the amount of snow that is placed on these areas, unfortunately it cannot be avoided.


What can the residents do to get the public to shovel their sidewalks? City ordinance requires property owners to shovel their sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of a storm. You may report unshoveled walks to Code Enforcement at 222-3304.


May I shovel/plow/blow the snow from my sidewalk or driveway into the street? No. City ordinance prohibits this activity due to the hazardous conditions it can create in the street. Violators are subject to being fined.


I am elderly or disabled. Can the City help clean my sidewalk? If you meet the income guidelines a volunteer service coordinated through the Human Services Department (222- 3660) may be able to assist you in getting your driveway and/or sidewalk cleared.


I/my group would like to volunteer to help an elderly or disabled person shovel their sidewalk. Whom should I contact? The Human Services is always looking for volunteers to help clear snow in the winter and we appreciate the help. Please contact the Human Services Department at 222-3660.


14 WDMMAGAZINE • WINTER/SPRING 2012 Visit us on the web at www.wdm.iowa.gov


When will my street be plowed? The City has established priorities for the various classifications of streets. Major arterial streets that must be kept open to provide a transportation system for emergency vehicle units will be our highest priority. Depending on storm conditions, crews may have the opportunity to start plowing some residential streets before the storm ends. Ongoing weather conditions and the number of vehicles obstructing plow maneuverability in the roadways have a major impact on the effectiveness of the operation. Please keep in mind that crews may be coming down your street more than once to fully plow the snow to the curb. The City’s goal is to have all paved streets completely plowed within 24 hours after the storm has ended.


When removing SNOW and ICE – Don’t put it in the street!


• It’s hazardous! • It’s Illegal! • It’s costly to you when you get fined!


See City Code Sections 7-1-4 and 7-1-5


FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT


The City of West Des Moines: By phone: Snow Hotline


Public Works


For Emergencies Human Services


2730-SNO (273-0766) 222-3480 222-3321 222-3660


Sidewalk Violations 222-3304 Facebook: “Like” the City of West Des Moines Twitter:


Follow the City of West Des Moines Visit us on the web at www.wdm.iowa.gov


WDM City Code


The following is the City’s regulation on snow emergency parking bans which is being published in accordance with the City Code regulation:


6-6-7: SNOW REMOVAL: No person shall park, abandon, or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street, alley, or city owned off street parking area during any snow emergency proclaimed by the mayor, public works director, or their respective designees. A snow emergency parking ban shall continue from its proclamation through five o’clock (5:00) P.M. the following day. The mayor, public works director, or their respective designees may extend the duration of the parking ban if conditions require additional time to clear the snow and ice. Notice of an extension shall be posted in the same manner as a proclamation of snow emergency and shall contain the date and time the parking ban shall expire. Such a parking ban shall be of uniform application. The city shall publish information regarding the responsibilities of vehicle owners under this section in the fall and/ or winter editions of the “WDM Magazine” distributed to city residents, as well as post such information on the city of West Des Moines website in the fall and/or winter of each year. When predictions or occurrences indicate the need, the mayor, public works director, or their respective designees, shall proclaim the snow emergency and direct the appropriate city employee to post said proclamation on the city of West Des Moines website and forward notice of the proclamation to at least two (2) radio and two (2) television stations that broadcast their signals into the city of West Des Moines. Such emergency may be extended or shortened as the emergency warrants or when conditions warrant. This section shall not be construed as suspending parking limitations or restrictions imposed by any other section of this title. In addition to enforcement of this section by police officers, code enforcement officials and public works employees have the authority to enforce the provisions of this section. The code enforcement officials and public works employees shall have the power to issue citation- complaints for violations of this section and impound vehicles found in violation of this section as provided in subsections 6-6-15A and G of this chapter. (Ord. 1844, 10-5-2009)


West Des Moines City Code is available 24/7 on the City’s website at www.wdm.iowa.gov.


WINTER/SPRING 2012 • WDMMAGAZINE 15


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