Created 1995
Revised 2002 & 2005 

GOAL

The primary goal of the Town of Truckee’s Public Works Department is to provide for the safe and orderly movement of emergency equipment, vehicle traffic and pedestrians throughout the community during winter months, especially during storm periods.  The procedures outlined in this policy serve as the plan which the Department directs its crews in solving the problem of snow and ice control during both ordinary and emergency situations.  This policy is intended to provide Town staff with guidance to ensure that: 

• Public Safety is always the primary concern
• Priorities are understood by all
• Proper responsibility  and authority is established

 PRIORITIES 

In an effort to achieve the Town’s goal of safe snow removal operations, priorities are set as conditions change to establish an efficient and safe order of snow removal

 PRIORITY ORDER

1.  Support for emergency agency responses.

2.  Main arterial and school bus routes.

3.  Secondary residential streets

4. Cul-de-sacs.

5. High elevation areas subject to high winds.

OPERATIONS

Communication between the Town and citizens can be enhanced through the characterization of the storm event to the three levels of operations. Because of the diversity of each storm and the high cost of equipment and labor, the Town cannot economically justify removal of all accumulations with each storm.  Pack is sometimes left as a drivable roadway surface requiring chains or snow tires.  This method allows more area to be covered in less time.  A subsequent thaw event requires immediate clean-up attention.  Pack removal is generally accomplished from the center of Town such that cleared roads will be continuous to the business area or State Highways.

During storms up to 18” of snowfall (Level I), it takes Town crews, when fully staffed, approximately 12 hours to plow every street.  After storms, clean up is necessary which includes cutting pack on the streets and pushing back berms to the full width of the street.  This effort can go on for more than a week.

Because there are many variables in a storm which include intensity and time of storm, the Town does not plow or sand roads at the same hour each day or on occasion, even the same day of the storm.  During a storm, snow removal operations are 24 hours a day. 

The purpose of this policy is to discuss three general categories of events in order that a guideline is established to provide direction for the snow removal effort. 

 LEVEL I OPERATIONS (Green)

Characterized by less than 18” of snow in a 24 hour period.  The most common occurrence representing 80% of all storm conditions.

During a Condition Green storm, all streets are considered top priority with preference given to main arterials and bus routes.  As plowing is accomplished in an area, all streets will be plowed before leaving that area.  School bus routes, when possible, will be plowed prior to 7:00 A.M. and maintained in a safe manner during the day.  The Public Works Director or designee may close streets and determine detours when he deems it necessary for public safety.

 LEVEL II OPERATIONS (Yellow)

Characterized by a storm greater than 18” but less than 3’ in 24 hours.

When snowfall exceeds the ability of the Town crews to successfully perform normal operations through out the Town, The Public Works Street Supervisor, with concurrence with the Public Works Director and/or Town Manager, implement Condition Yellow Operations.  This condition represents the other 20% of operations in any given season.  Beside the storm itself, limitations in labor or equipment can create this condition.  Planning and budgeting are intended to provide service in most storms that will not degrade below this level.

During Condition Yellow Operations, the fourth and fifth level priorities may be suspended until such time as normal operations are again possible.  Personnel from other Town Departments and outside contractors may be assigned to storm related duties.  The Street Supervisor may close streets and determine detours as he/she deems necessary for public safety.  The standards for the third priority (secondary residential streets) may be lowered to allow for one lane of traffic with turn-outs for passing about every 100-150 yards.  This reduction in standard may also remain in effect during Level 1 operations when no room exists in the Town right-of-way for blowing snow with out the possibility of damage to private property.

 LEVEL III OPERATIONS (Red)

Generally characterized by 3’ or more of snow within 24 hours on the general area of the Town. 

These are storm events beyond the planned labor and equipment of the Town.  Storms like the ’92-93 season will require outside assistance and a general ‘dig-out” of the Town after the event.

When snow fall exceeds the ability of the Town crews to successfully perform Level II operations, the Street Supervisor, with concurrence of the Public Works Director and the Town Manager, may implement condition Red or emergency operations.  During Level III operations, priority level 3, 4, and 5 may be suspended.  Emergency snow removal contracts may be implemented.  The Town Manager, if a state of emergency is declared, may contract for manpower and equipment as may be useful for the purpose of providing for public safety.  The Street Supervisor may close streets and determine detours as he/she deems necessary for public safety.

 PERSONNEL 

All Department of Public Works personnel shall be available for snow and ice control operations.  The Town may utilize seasonal personnel and contract services to assist with the snow removal operations as necessary.  Town crews remove snow from approximately 140 miles of street within the Town.

 EQUIPMENT

The Town of Truckee utilizes all the assets of the department as needed to address snow emergencies.  A list of current rolling stock assets is included in the appendix.

 ROUTES

The Town is divided into ten (10) major snow plow routes.   A map showing these routes is included in the appendix.  Storm intensity as well as other factors may cause a deviation from this standard. 

 PROCEDURE 

During the winter, the Road Department employees monitor weather and street conditions daily.  Storm conditions will vary due to temperature, wind, snow moisture content and snowfall amounts.   Over 30 miles of street are designated as main arterials and bus routes requiring immediate and sometimes continuous plowing and sanding.

 COMMUNICATION

Each staff member as well as all Public Works rolling stock is equipped with two way radios.  Each plow and equipment operator is assigned a unique call number.   The call number is displayed on each piece of equipment or truck.  Crew leaders and equipment operators communicate throughout each shift updating road conditions, route status and other pertinent information.

 PARKING

The Town has enacted a winter parking ban effective from November 1 – April 1 of each year (Section 10.17.030).  This ban prohibits parking in or on the Town roads and rights of way.  The Town has the right to tow or ticket violators.  The purpose of this winter parking ban is to allow winter maintenance crews unobstructed snow removal and ice control routes, as much as possible, to maintain the maximum effectiveness of their efforts.

 DRIVEWAYS

One of the most frequent and most irritable problems in removal of snow from public streets is the snow deposited in driveways during plowing operations.

When plowing is required, windrows of snow are pushed from the street surface to the edge of the street right-of-way creating berms that front every property, including driveways, sidewalks or any access to the Town street rights-of-way.  Because each piece of equipment must clear approximately 14 miles of roadway, it is not possible to back up and clear private openings. 

Another concern is the blowing of snow into driveways or access roads.  During large storms and/or clean up, crews may use snow blowers to cut back the shoulders allowing snow to fall off the plow blades easier as well as widen the roadway for safer travel lanes.  While cutting back, driveways may be filled with snow from the snow blower.  Sometimes the snow will fall off the adjacent snow banks, while other times it is blown directly into the driveway.  Drivers try to avoid this situation whenever possible.  When the snow is accidentally blown into a driveway and is on private property, the Town will remove it as soon as possible.  This is usually within the same day.  If snow is blown into a driveway within the Town rights-of-way or snow storage easement, such as an unmarked parallel driveway, the Town may remove the snow if there is available manpower.  Ultimately, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to remove the snow placed in the driveway within the Town’s rights-of-way and snow storage easement. 

There are a few ways to help prevents this situation from happening.  Always remove your driveway snow onto your private property, not the Town’s rights-of- way or snow storage easement.  This keeps the banks from getting too high causing snow to slough off into the driveways.  Another helpful preventative measure is to mark your driveway with snow poles and reflective tape well enough that it is visible along the entire frontage of your property.  It also helps to keep an outdoor light on if your home is blocked by terrain or large snow berms in the winter.  Drivers will see the reflection of the light and know there is a home/garage on the other side of the berm.

 EXCEPTIONS

In the event of equipment failure, extreme snowfall or other unanticipated events including necessity of resting snowplow crews, deviation from these standards may be appropriate at the discretion of the Public Works Director or his designee. 

The policy outlined above is intended to serve as the normal operating guideline for winter maintenance, snow removal and/or ice control for the Town of Truckee.  One or more of the following, which may delay or prevent the implementation of this policy, may affect all or any part of this Policy 

• Snowstorm intensity
• Snowstorm duration
• Temperature
• Equipment Breakdowns
• Traffic Conditions
• Time of Day
• Personnel Illness/Injury

 CLAIMS

It should be noted that the municipality is not held responsible for damage to private property that is located within the public rights of way.  The right of way (ROW) is usually 60’ wide, and is often confused by property owners as their own property.  In most cases, the ROW often extends 10 to 20 feet of either side of the paved road.  Homeowners often cultivate extensions of their lawns, place mailboxes, erect fences or stonewalls in these areas, which improves the appearance of the street, but is obstructive to good maintenance and snow removal being conducted on the roadway.

In the event of personal property damage, please call the Public Works Department as soon as possible.  They will explain the claim process and advise you where to pick up a claim form.  To receive further information regarding claims, call the Public Works Department at 530-582-7707.

 ORDINANCES

 Chapter 10.17 Snow Removal
                10.17.010 Declaration of Snow Season
                10.17.020 Definitions Town Rights-of-way
                10.17.030 Obstructing Snow Removal Equipment Prohibited
                10-17-035 Seasonal Parking Exceptions
                10.17.040 Parking Prohibited
                10.17.041 Obstructing Travel Lane Prohibited
                10.17.050 Vehicle Removal
                10.17.060 Warning Signs
                10.17.070 Additional Signs
                10.17.080 Removal of Snow from Town Streets Without Permit Prohibited: Exceptions.
                10.17.090 Snow Removal
                10.17.100 Regulating Deposit of Snow on Town Street Right of Way
                10.17.200 Prohibition
                10.16.300 Infraction
 Chapter 13.01.270 Mailboxes

If you have any questions regarding these ordinances or would like a complete copy of the ordinances, you may call the Public Works Department at (530)582-7707.

 TOWN OF TRUCKEE – PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Web page -                            http://townoftruckee.com/
E-mail                                     publicworks@townoftruckee.com
Public Works

(road maintenance/snow removal) – 582-7707
Dial-a-Ride –                         587-7451
Truckee Trolley –                 587-7451

 STATE OF CALIFORNIA -  DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION (CAL TRANS)

Dial 511
Inside CA –                           800-427-7623
Outside CA –                        916-445-7623
On radio –                             1610 AM 

Cable Channel 6 – Important road and weather updates
Cable Channel 28 – Local and regional weather information
Local FM Radio 101.5

 Here are some key points: 

• Snow removal crews follow a prioritized plan for clearing streets of snow.  
• Driveway approaches may become blocked after snow plowing. 
• Town ordinance requires residents, business owners or contractors who are clearing snow on private property to not deposit snow into public roads or rights-of-way.
• Residents should set their trash containers far enough away from the street to avoid damage by snowplows and blowers, and to prevent the containers from being buried in snow.  This should be in effect during and after storms, when snow blowers widen the roadways. 
• Snow removal crews sometimes receive requests from residents that their particular streets be plowed immediately because they have a medical appointment or emergency.  In the case of an emergency, residents should call 9-1-1.  Plowing crews will provide top priority assistance to any rescue unit responding to emergencies.  However, a previously scheduled doctor’s appointment does not constitute a “medical emergency”.
• Plowing begins as soon as there is snowfall accumulation of 3” or more.
• Limited sanding is done during a snowfall because falling snow covers sand and it is scraped away on subsequent plowing passes, requiring additional sanding.
• Subdivision roads may not be plowed if parked vehicles or other obstructions interfere with the safe and continuous operation of snow removal equipment.  Equipment will return to plow after parked vehicles or obstructions are removed.
• School bus routes are given special attention.
• Operators will return to widen roads as conditions warrant.  During a major storm, cleanup operations may be on-going for three to four days after the storm.
• Mailboxes installed along roadways are at the risk of the owner. 

 Winter driving tips

•    Do not drive unless you must.

• If you must drive, exercise extreme caution.  Driving on snow-packed and icy roads requires your full attention and demands your best driving ski.

• Have adequate snow tires or chains in or on your vehicle.

• Remember to brake slowly and leave adequate room between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.

• Be patient, drive at reduced speeds.

• Allow sufficient travel time to reach your destination.

• Drive defensively – Be courteous.