Hromatko brought suit against the City of Worthington, alleging that the city was negligent by plowing snow so that it obstructed Hromatko's vision at the intersection. Hromatko deposed the city's superintendent of streets and community services who testified to the city's snowplowing and snow removal policies. The city does not have a written snowplowing policy other than an informal document that is mailed annually to city residents to inform them of snowplowing priorities, materials used, and dangers associated with driving near snowplows. The city does have an unwritten policy that developed over the years from annual city council discussions. The superintendent personally trains new plow drivers in the customary procedures of the unwritten policy.
Drivers are responsible for moving snow from streets and intersections to their full widths.
As to Grand Avenue, city policy requires drivers to plow snow onto the median. The city does not have a policy restricting the height of plowed snow piles. The only part of the unwritten policy that addresses hauling snow away is that the city gives priority to the downtown area and to one street that is also a state highway. In other areas, such as at the intersection of Grand and Miller, the city hauls away snow as directed by the superintendent. Snow is hauled away when the superintendent decides it is necessary because it is obstructing traffic vision.