LAKES HIGHWAY DISTRICT RESOLUTION 2008-2009
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lakes Highway District Board of Commissioners adopt the following SNOW REMOVAL AND SANDING POLICY FOR THE LAKES HIGHWAY DISTRICT:
WHEREAS, it is the general policy of the Lakes Highway District to maintain the roads in the Lakes Highway District system in as safe a condition as possible during winter months, depending upon available budget, manpower and equipment; and
WHEREAS, the adequacy of this policy is also dependent upon variables not within the control of the Lakes Highway District, such as weather conditions and the capabilities of the traveling public, who must prepare for winter driving through prudent operating practices, use of winter tires and/or chains, and adequate vehicle maintenance; and
WHEREAS, this Resolution is intended to set general policy, not to forbid exercise of judgment by supervisors, Foremen or field personnel; and
That the first priority of the Lakes Highway District is the removal of snow that is a minimum of 0-2 inches in depth on 1st priority routes (2 inches after regular working hours or 4 inches on recognized holidays), 2nd priority routes will be done after 1st priority routes. 3rd priority routes will be done during normal working hours or after 4 inches of snow has fallen and 1st and 2nd priority routes have been plowed and sanded as needed as determined by the District supervisors. Plowing and sanding/chemical operations between the hours of 9:00pm and 5:00 am will only be done on an emergency basis.
- 1st Priority: Major and Minor collector routes, major intersections
- 2nd Priority: Local collector routes, steep grades, sharp curves, minor intersections with significant traffic volumes and school bus routes.
- 3rd Priority: Rural routes with lighter traffic, sub-divisions, minor curves and minor intersections.
That snow removal operations will generally begin after a snowstorm has subsided or 2 inches has accumulated, with snow to be plowed from roadways to provide two-way traffic as soon as practical. Additional widening and clearing of roadway shoulders and intersections may be performed after the initial snow removal operations have been completed and the snow removal crews have allotted time remaining as determined by supervisors and foremen; and
That Lakes Highway District has a set policy for time worked by employees at a maximum of twelve (12) hours, with an absolute maximum time of sixteen (16) hours in emergency situations. This policy is set for safety of the employees and the traveling public; and
That Lakes Highway District shall place primary efforts on clearing travel ways and will not be responsible for the berms of snow left in driveways or mailboxes due to the plowing actions of snow removal equipment; and
The Lakes Highway District shall not plow or sand on private property, except for emergencies requested by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and determined by the District supervisors to not endanger the District employees or jeopardize the District equipment to make it unavailable for District use in maintenance of the public roadways; and
That sanding/chemical treatment will not be performed until the roadway has been plowed. Use of sand/chemical treatments will be limited to steep roadway grades, at intersections, on sharp curves with significant traffic levels and in other areas determined by the District to be hazardous. Sanding/chemical operations will not generally be performed while a snowstorm is in progress. The sanding/chemical operations performed by the District are only an aid to the traveling public and do not return the road to normal conditions; and That Lakes Highway District reserves the right to make changes in priorities and levels of service upon available budget resources as well as weather and road conditions.
ADOPTED this ____Day of ______________ 2008. ____________________________________
J. Marvin Lekstrum, Chairman ____________________________________
Rodney A. Twete, Vice-Chairman ____________________________________
Weston E. Montgomery, Commissioner ATTEST: ______________________________
Bonny A. Flagg, Board Secretary/Clerk