Snow Emergency Plans include two City ordinances which regulate vehicles driving on the streets or parked in neighborhoods, because a major factor in how quickly the City can clear streets is the number of vehicles on the roads or parked in neighborhoods. The first ordinance allows the City to fine vehicles which obstruct or impede traffic on any street designated and posted as a snow emergency route when the vehicle is not equipped with snow tires, MS radials, seasonal tires, or, in extreme cases, chains. The other ordinance permits the City to levy fines and tow vehicles at owner's expense, which are parked on posted snow emergency routes during a declared snow emergency. When these emergency plans are in effect, public service announcements are made on radio and television stations, and are posted on the City's web page. Snow removal crews are on emergency call-back status after normal working hours and on weekends and holidays during this time.
Operations begin before the first snow falls.
Bridges and overpasses are also treated in advance and monitored during storms for ice build up. Once snowfall reaches three inches, the traditional measures of salting, sanding, or a combination of salt, sand and calcium chloride are used. Plowing begins when more than three inches of snow have accumulated and the snow is continuing or is predicted to continue. At this point, the City generally mobilizes for continuous 24-hour operation. The Snow Removal Fleet consists of over 30 pieces of equipment.