01-14-2004 Council Workshop Agenda

Home Browse Search

2gt/1 G'ana�* MAYOR Michael 1. Fahey COUNCIL Jim LaValle Matt Anderson Rick Montour Bill Blesener 515 Little Canada Roact, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 ADMINISTRATOR (651) 766 -4029 / hAX: (651) 766 -4048 Joel R. I-tansoo www.ci.little- canada.mn.us MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Fahey & Members of the City Council FROM; Greg Schroeder, Public Works Director DATE; January 8, 2004 RE: Winter Parking Restrictions As indicated in my December 1511i, 2003 memo, we have already experienced some measurable snowstorms this winter requiring City crews to clear our streets. One outside impact that has impacted our efficiency so far this year is the number vehicles parked on our streets while we are trying to plow them. Council Member LaValle has also expressed concern about the efficiency of plowing streets when there are vehicles parked on the street during a snow emergency. I have attached a copy of our Snowplowing Policy and current Snowplowing Procedures for your reference. Staff has reviewed our Snowplowing Policy and Snowplowing Procedures to determine ways to improve our efficiency. It has been determined that our 1992 Snowplowing Policy still applies to our city very well. In addition, our Snowplowing Procedures accomplish the goals of our Snowplowing Policy with city crews and equipment in an efficient way. The Snowplowing Procedure section addressing vehicles parked on city streets during snow removal activities needs to be revised based on staff and Council discussion. Vehicles parked on our streets, especially overnight, while we are trying to remove snow from our streets, imposes the most impact on our efficiency. As noted in our Snowplowing procedures, we rely on the Sheriff's Department to be out enforcing winter parking restrictions during a 2" or greater depth snowstorm. During the initial snowstorm of the season, this sends a message to vehicle owners to move their vehicles off the street during snow emergencies. The reality, however, is that during these initial storms there are quite a few vehicles parked on our streets impacting our efficiency. To my knowledge, no vehicles were tagged during the first snowstorm this season. Additionally, none of the vehicles that remained parked on the street the following morning were tagged or towed. The Sheriff's Department was contacted about this and we requested better response. During the second storm we saw one Ramsey County Deputy out enforcing our snow emergency parking regulations, but he did not cover the entire city and vehicles were missed. We again contacted the Sheriffs Department, and they indicated they would do a better job during the next storm. We are waiting for that storm. There really are two problems with enforcing our existing winter parking restrictions. ICiiowing in advance when they go into effect and when should a vehicle be just tagged or tagged and towed. As you know our eb,',110 Plo,vmu0AM roe 'str]c It :Oc