From the Mayor:

The winter / snow season is upon us.  As beautiful as the snow may be, it increases several city maintenance issues.  As the recession has hit our state, the money from road use taxes has declined significantly over the past year or so.  This is the fund that we use for City road repairs and maintenance, including snow removal and overtime for that. 

We have upgraded our equipment over the past two years but snow removal is a challenging job anyway for all of us.  We can always find things that can be done better and the city is continually looking for ways to do it better.  We have made several changes in the past couple of years. All three local television stations are notified of the snow emergencies, which gives residents four hours after the declaration to move vehicles off the streets. Less severe snow storms require at least 24 hours to move vehicles.  Signage has been improved to remind residents of the “Snow Routes”.

Arterial streets are done first, then streets and cul-de-sacs in descending order of use and importance.  Trails and city sidewalks will be done as soon as feasible.  We remind residents of the importance of clearing their own walks in a timely manner. 

Personally, I am very pleased with the attitude and efforts of our Public Works employees, when it comes to snow removal.  I believe they are as good as any of the surrounding cities, and better than most.

Nonetheless, snow removal is a major nuisance and requires patience from all of us, as we strike to improve our services and overall life in the City of Tiffin.

Just a few reminders:

• The City begins snow plowing or ice removal immediately after it has stopped snowing or sleeting.  Plowing or sanding of emergency routes may begin sooner at the discretion of Public Works.
• Any vehicle found to be parked where not permitted during emergency declaration may be towed to storage lot. To release a vehicle form the storage lot, the owner must go to the Sheriff’s Office and get a release order. Towing costs shall be assessed to owner of vehicle.
• The snow plowing may create a snow pile in driveways and crosswalks that cannot be prevented, property owners should not push the snow back into the streets, where it will create a hazard as compacted and frozen snow and ice patch. 
• Efforts will be made to remove as much snow as possible from Cul-de-sacs after the streets have been cleared.
• Assistance is requested in keeping fire hydrants dug out for your protection and will help the fire department find the fire hydrants in an emergency.
• Try to help keep snow away from mail boxes.
• Respect your neighbors and do not push your snow onto their properties.
• Residents are asked to clear sidewalks within 48 hours of the snow storm. Several residents have become somewhat lax in this responsibility.  A City Ordinance provides for a municipal fine be assessed.  We have been hesitant to enforce this provision, but safety will make this necessary if more of our residents don’t take this responsibility more seriously.
• Hwy 6 plowing is done by the Iowa Department of Transportation, because it is a Federal Highway.