News

Snow Removal Q & A

Now that winter is close, we will be facing the obvious problem of snow removal. Each year, City Hall receives many telephone calls regarding this issue and we offer the following answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Q. At what point do the crews begin to plow the streets?

A. Once the depth of the snow has reached 6 inches, the plows are activated.

Q. Why does the plow always leave a burm in my driveway?

A. Unfortunately, the plows cannot lift the blades at every driveway in order to prevent blocking them with snow. It is the responsibility of every homeowner and/or occupant to keep their driveways clear and accessible.

Q. What is the time schedule for plowing?

A. The plows will usually start in the morning between four and five o'clock a.m. The first goal is to clear the downtown First Street area before the opening of most businesses. Usually, there are no cars parked on First Street at that time of day, which offers the clearest path for plowing. Once First Street is completed, the downtown avenues are cleared. Once the businesses are cleared, the plows commence with the residential streets. By that time, the residents that go to work have usually left, which again allows a clearer area for plowing. According to the Cle Elum Municipal Code 10.12.060, "no vehicle shall be parked on any public street or avenue continuously in one location for more than twenty-four hours in the city from November15th to April 15th..." If a vehicle is not moved from the public street, the plow has no option than to plow around the vehicle and is not obligated to come back at a later time to remove the snow left next to or around the parked car. If the car is not removed and becomes a hazard, the City has the right to have the car towed at the owner's expense. However, the City will make every attempt to contact the owner prior to towing. During the snowy season, the plows usually maintain a set schedule, so residents can count on them plowing at about the same time of day.

Q. Does the City plow the alleys?

A. Yes, the alleys are plowed in conjunction with the streets and avenues. The alley right of ways are 20' wide and need to be clear of all vehicles and personal property in order to be plowed.

Q. Who is responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of the businesses and homes?

A. Business owners and home owners/occupants are responsible for clearing sidewalks of snow and ice. This is referred to in Municipal Code 12.08.010.

Q. Snow has been piled in front of my home/business. Why is this done and when will the City remove it?

A. When the City removes snow, they put it in an area that is not located within the City's highly populated area. However, when a business person or homeowner/occupant hires an individual to clear snow, the independent operator will often place the snow in another business or person's right of way. The City is not responsible for the removal of snow placed by an independent snow remover. We ask that those independents please take into consideration the nearby business owners and residents and please remove the snow to a designated snow storage area. Chapter 12.14 of the Cle Elum Municipal Code refers to snow removal and the applicable penalties if violated. You may contact City Hall for information on where to put the snow.

If you have any questions that have not been addressed here, please do not hesitate to contact City Hall at 674- 2262. Our staff and crew are more than happy to help you in any way we can. We respectfully ask for your patience during the upcoming winter months. We will make the streets accessible as soon as possible. If you feel that you have not been plowed after a reasonable amount of time has passed, please, by all means call us. We will make every effort to help you.

Code References

Parking

Do not leave vehicles parked on city streets for more than 24 hours.

Cle Elum Municipal Code section 10.12.070 states:

No vehicle shall be parked on any public street or avenue continuously in one location for more than twenty-four hours in the city from November 15th to April 15th, being the winter months, contrary to the regulations prescribed in Section 10.12.060. The parking regulation shall not apply to vehicles parked off the street or avenue, in private driveways or on private property, where they do not interfere with the plowing or removal of snow.

Sidewalks

It is the Home or Business Occupants responsibility to keep the sidewalks free of obstructions, including ice and snow.

Cle Elum Municipal Code section 12.08.010 and 12.08.020 states:

Any snow, ice, slippery substance, hole, obstruction or defect in or upon any sidewalk, parking strip or curb open to the public in the city is declared to be a nuisance. It is unlawful hereafter for any owner, occupant or person, firm or corporation having charge of any premises or portion thereof abutting upon any portion of any sidewalk, parking strip and/or curb to allow such nuisance to remain in or upon such abutting portion of sidewalk, parking strip and/or curb for more than twenty-four hours continuously. It is the obligation and responsibility hereafter of any and all owners, occupants or portions thereof to keep all abutting premises or portions thereof to keep all abutting portions of sidewalks, parking strips and curbs lying between such premises and any public avenue, street or alley adjoining such premises shall be purposes of this chapter be included in the term "abutting portion" The removal of any such nuisance or nuisances by the city or any of its agents or employees at any time or times shall not excuse the failure of any owner, occupant or person, firm or corporation, hereinabove declared responsible, to remove any such nuisance or nuisances from such places at such time or times and at any subsequent time or times.

Snow Removal from Private Property

Snow or Ice removed from private property may not be placed on City streets, alleys or sidewalks.

Cle Elum Municipal Code section 12.14.010 states:

No person, firm, company or corporation, nor the agent representative or employee of any person, firm, company or corporation, shall plow or otherwise clear a parking lot, sidewalk, or any other private property of snow or ice and thereafter place, throw or deposit that snow or ice on any street, alley or sidewalk. Snow may be piled on paved parking right of way of a firm, company or corporation during snowfalls as long as it is removed within forty-eight hours of deposit. Snow and ice may also be piled by a firm, company, or corporation ob gravel parking right of ways only abutting its property as long as the snow or ice does not encroach on paved driving surfaces or create a sight-distance safety problem as will be determined by the city superintendent and/or police chief. Any firm, company or corporation may be asked at any time to remove some or all snow on public rights-of-way within a forty-eight hour period or the city will remove such and bill the firm, company or corporation for the city’s cost plus fifteen percent.