Winter

Savanna Illinois Plowing and Salting
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Salting Operation Plan
SNOW PLOWING OPERATIONAL PLAN
SAVANNA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

A. SNOW EMERGENCY
A snow emergency is declared when "weather predictions or occurrences indicate the need." A snow emergency is declared when two inches occurs. Snow plowing begins as soon as possible. All streets are plowed on a priority basis. Priority one streets include all hills and primary highways, priority two streets include residential and other municipal service streets including streets in commercial areas. Priority three area include alleys and City parking lots. Priority three areas are only cleared after priority one and two streets are plowed. It is not possible for snow plows to remove snow from private driveways. If snow is shoveled onto the street from driveways or sidewalks after the street has been plowed, the snow plow will not be back to clear the street again. Always shovel snow to the right (assuming you are standing in your drive and facing the street or alley), this will result in the least amount of snow being pushed into the driveway.

B. NOTIFICATION AND CALL-OUT OF PERSONNEL
Snow plow and equipment operators shall consider themselves notified whenever the weather agency forecasts a snow accumulation of more than two inches and shall be available to call and may notify the radio operator at the Fire Station. Failure of an employee to respond to call may be subject to disciplinary action. During non-working hours the Police Department will monitor street conditions and notify the Superintendent or Maintenance Foreman if crews are to be called out. Initially two plows will be utilized until four (4) inches of snow accumulation has occurred, whereupon all snow equipment may be utilized to clear the streets and alleys.

C. PLAN EFFECT
The snow removal plan will go into effect only when the accumulation of snow is in excess of two inches, as determined by the Public Works Superintendent or his assistant. Accumulations less than two (2) inches of snow or ice shall be taken care of with salt mixed with small diameter rock and sand, as directed by the Public Works supervisory personnel.

D. SNOW PLOWING DISTRICTS
The City shall be divided into four snow plowing districts as directed by supervisory personnel. The areas to be plowed (except alleys) and the equipment assigned to each specific area shall be determined by supervisory personnel.. Plowing of alleys in each district shall be provided by the assigned vehicle.

E. CONTROLLED PLOWING
Normal plowing operations techniques shall be utilized on all streets and alleys. Plowing operations shall start at the center of the longest dimension and the snow angle-plowed towards the side of the street of alley until the street of alley is cleared. Exceptions are as follows. Main Street, from Chicago Avenue to Division Street, will be plowed into the center of the street pursuant to removal. Also, several streets or alleys may be plowed to one side only, when conditions are favorable. The Superintendent shall identify said streets and alleys.

F. SNOW PLOWING PLAN
The snow plow routes are identified as follows: (1) PRIMARY DISTRICTS Plowing operations consisting of two units shall be called out for the primary streets when the accumulation of snow is in excess of two (2) inches. The remaining units for the primary streets shall be called out when the accumulation of snow is in excess of four (4) inches and all units shall remain in service until the streets and alleys are completely plowed. (2)SECONDARY DISTRICTS Plowing operations consisting of all available units shall be called out for the secondary streets when the accumulation of snow is in excess of four (4) inches and all units shall remain in service until the streets and alleys are completely plowed. The Superintendent or Foreman will advise if the snow accumulation is in excess of two (2) inches but less than four (4) inches. (3)CITY OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES Plowing operations shall be called out for City off-street parking facilities only after the Superintendent has determined that the storm has ceased.

G. PLOWING AGAINST CURB
Plowing against the curb in areas where the public sidewalk parallels the street shall be accomplished at a reduced speed to prevent depositing snow on the public sidewalk.

H. SPEED FOR SNOW PLOWING
The recommended speed for snow plowing is 5 - 15 MPH to reduce damage to the plowing unit. Damage to equipment is almost always traceable to plowing unit plowing at excessive speeds.

I. SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS
Following the storm, snow removal operations shall be implemented in the following areas during regular working hours. (1) Main Street - from Chicago Avenue to Division Street. (2) Adams Street, Jefferson Street, Madison Street and Murray Street, from alley west of Main Street to the alley east of Main. (3) Fourth Street from Bowen Street to Oak Street. (4) South side of Bowen Street approximately 75 feet east of Fourth Street. (5) Any other area as determined by the Superintendent.

J. SNOW PLOWING - INTERSECTIONS
Upon completion of the street and alley plowing operations, plowing units with power angling blades shall be utilized in clearing the intersections by short passes with the plow.

K. SNOW PLOWING - PROBLEM AREAS
During the snow storm limited effort shall be made by the Public Works Department to initiate removal of parked vehicles. After the storm, problem areas may be cleared of snow by placing temporary "No Parking" signs along the affected area on the day prior to the proposed work. Said signs shall notify the public of the proposed work. Public Works employees shall note the location of any raised manhole or water valves that may damage snow plows and notify their supervisor of said locations. Guide markers shall be placed at all potential hazard areas to reduce damage to the plowing unit and minimize down time.

L. IDENTIFICATION OF SNOW DISPOSAL SITES
The following areas shall be designated snow disposal sites and may be utilized by business sector for snow disposal. (1) All City Parking Lots - leased or owned. (2) All City Parkways, including public sidewalks if the snow accumulation warrants such action. (3) Extreme Westerly end of the following streets in areas that will not conflict with any parking lot access drive or impede traffic: (a) Adams Street - West of Main Street (b) Jefferson Street - West of Main Street (c) Madison Street - West of Main Street (d) Quincy Street - West of Main Street

M. EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
1. Before Plowing: (a) Check hydraulic reservoir for proper oil level. (b) Check hydraulic system for leaks. (c) Check all snow plow mounting bolts and nuts for proper tightness. (d) Check cutting edge wear. (e) Check engine oil and radiator levels. (f) Check tire chains, repair if needed. 2. When checking the hydraulic reservoir fluid level, the lift cylinder must be fully retracted or down to obtain an accurate reading and to prevent over-filling which can damage the hydraulic system. Use automatic transmission fluid, Type "A", for adding fluid to the hydraulic system. Fill to the mark only. 3. When the snow plow is disconnected from the vehicle, extend the lift cylinder to the end of its stroke and coat the chrome rod with a light grease. This procedure fills the cylinder with hydraulic fluid and protects both its interior and exterior from rust and corrosion. 4. Whenever the snow plow is disconnected from the vehicle, coat the exposed area of the power angling cylinder chrome rods with light grease to protect them from rust and corrosion. 5. When disconnecting the snow plow from vehicles equipped with power angling and with the engine off, operate the power angling control through its positions several times to release trapped pressure, to aid in disconnecting. 6. When disconnecting the snow plow from vehicles, be alert not to allow the snow plow to sink into soft earth and become frozen in, preventing quick connection when the unit is to be used again.

N. ACTIONS OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS
1. Fire Department (a) The Fire Department shall monitor weather reports and advise the Public works Department twice daily to provide said employees with information needed to determine when to mount snow plows of load salt, as well as alert said employees of an impending call out. (b) The Fire Department shall periodically inspect the fire hydrants and advise the Public works Department of any buried hydrants. Guide markers shall be attached to fire hydrants that are partially covered or buried to aid P.W. personnel in locating and avoiding said hydrants. 2. Police Department (a) Parking: The snow plow operators shall note any vehicles parked for more than seven (7) days (City Code Sec. 9-1-28 (B)) and after notification, the Police Department shall implement remedial action. (b) News Releases - Letters The Police Department shall issue news releases requesting cooperation of the public in removing their vehicles from the street and into driveways until the street is plowed.

News releases shall also be issued advising the public to park vehicles ( if no drive way is available ) on the same side of the street (regardless of parking restrictions) until the opposite side is plowed and then moving to the other side of the street until it is plowed and normal parking can resume until the next snow storm.

Letters shall be mailed to individuals that are dumping or plowing snow onto public streets, advising them of their responsibility. See City Code Title 8, Chapter 6.

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SALTING OPERATIONAL PLAN

NOTIFICATION AND CALL-OUT OF MATERIAL
The Public Works Superintendent or the Maintenance Foreman shall be responsible for determining equipment call-out during regular working hours. The Police Department shall notify one of the above after regular working hours.

The salting operational plan shall go into effect during regular working hours at the discretion of the Public Works Personnel. Accumulations of less than two (2) inches shall be controlled with rock salt mixed with small diameter rock and sand, if available, as directed by the Superintendent.

OPERATIONAL PLAN
Salting operations during the storm event shall be limited to the Traffic light at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Route 84 South and on the curve located on Chicago Avenue and East Fifth Street intersection and also at the curve located on Chicago Avenue and Main Street, except as directed by the Superintendent or Foremen.

All other areas designated to be salted shall be salted based on conditions, after the storm has subsided, as directed by the Superintendent or Foreman.

By Paul Hartman, Superintendent

Savanna Illinois Plowing and Salting