At the April 19th and at the July 19th PW committee meetings, staff was directed to draft a citywide policy for snow removal on sidewalks/trails. The initial direction was townhome associations would be responsible for snow removal in their developments. Staff was also directed to include language that would make the responsibility of snow removal in residential areas that of the homeowner. The city would retain maintenance responsibilities for all bituminous bike trails and sidewalks along collector streets. The city would also continue to plow sidewalks, as needed, in the school designated walking area. These routes change yearly depending on the students and their locations. The committee also recommended that the policy initially be enforced, through public education, and not the use of fines or citations. The policy would read as follows:
• Snow and Ice Removal - All property owners/occupant are required to remove snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their property:
• Must be removed from the entire width of the sidewalk up to a maximum of 50 inches (to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and adults with children in hand).
• Must be removed within 24 hours after the completion of snow removal operations when accumulations are less than 6 inches, and within 36 hours when 6 or more inches of snow accumulate. Snow accumulations and plowing start and stop times will be posted on the City of Ramsey web page, Facebook and the Snowplow Information Hot line @ 763-433-9852.
• Exceptions: the City of Ramsey PW staff or designated contractor will clear all bituminous bike paths and the following sidewalks. These sidewalks are plowed by city forces due to the possible heavy snow loads from plowing:
Sunwood Drive –from Waco St to Armstrong Blvd
Riverdale Drive- from the west intersection of 139th Ave to Garnet St
Ramsey Blvd- from Sunwood Drive to Hwy 10 (Allina?)
167th Ave-From County Road 5 to the sidewalk termination at 7131 166th Ave.
Dysprosium St-from County Road 5 to Bunker Lake Blvd
Xkimo St-from Hwy 47 to 142nd Ave
Helium St from Alpine Dr to 150th Lane
150th Ln from Helium St to CR 5
 

It should be noted that after researching other communities’ sidewalk snow removal policies, the time frame chosen for our policy was close to the standard. Most policies didn't take in to account snow depth, just the time frame for removal. With present personnel levels and equipment, staff could not guarantee we could meet the time frame we are asking our residents to meet. Council may want to take this into account when making their decision on this policy.

Direct staff to move forward with the proposed policy.