Snow and Ice Removal

Standard Schedule & Policy

Additional Snow Removal Policy:
--Private streets are maintained by applicable property owners.
--City of Gardner does not plow sidewalks or driveways unless part of city-owned property.
--Driveways may be blocked during snow removal operations; we attempt to minimize this as much as possible. However, property owners are responsible for clearing their driveways.
--Vehicles on roadways may be towed if they impede normal snow removal operations. Residents are reminded to remove portable basketball goals during inclement weather.
--City equipment will not be used to conduct privately-owned vehicle recovery operations.
--City does not have designated emergency snow routes.
--Medical emergencies are referred to 911 for validation.

How many drivers does the City have on the streets during a winter storm? The City operates two 12-hour snow shifts (4 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.) when conducting snow and ice removal operations. When fully staffed, there are approximately 7 vehicles out on the streets. Over 15 Public Works employees are involved in snow removal.

Approximately how many miles of streets are salted and/or plowed? The Public Works Department has approximately 75 lane miles of streets designated for salting and plowing. Materials used for snow removal include rock salt and calcium chloride. The average snow event consumes over 50 tons of rock salt.

How does the department decide when to execute operations? Weather forecasts are reviewed from two different sources. Crews are normally alerted 2-3 hours before the precipitation is expected to start.

How long does it take to clear the streets? It takes, on average, about four to five hours to salt and eight to ten hours to plow the city for one cycle. However, depending on the intensity of the snow event, the number of parked cars, and the traffic volume it can take several cycles to complete the entire operation.

What do I do if I have a medical emergency? If you have a medical emergency, please contact 911. A public safety official will assist and determine the need for a snowplow truck.

What happens after a winter storm?
-- Emergency repairs to pavement and/bridges damaged by snow/ice removal are made.
-- Response to slick calls from citizens begins.
-- The equipment is prepared for the next storm.
-- Materials are replenished, as needed, to maintain needed supply levels.
-- Damages caused by snow plow trucks (sod, sprinklers, mailboxes) are logged.

What do I do if a snow plow truck causes damage to my property? Unfortunately, damage does sometime occur to yards and mailboxes. All damage can be reported to the Public Works Department, 913-856-6945. Sod damage and sprinkler damage are logged and repaired in the spring. If a mailbox is damaged, a temporary mailbox is installed and permanent repairs are generally made with 48-72 hours.

Who plows the highways? The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plows highways and ramps such as I-35 and US 56.

What should people do during a snowstorm?  If you don't have to drive, don't! However, if you must drive in severe winter weather, be prepared for the worst.
-- Leave earlier so you can drive at a safe speed.
-- Allow extra distance between your car and the one ahead of you in case something unexpected happens.
-- Do not assume because you are exercising caution that other drivers are driving sensibly.
-- Have some protective supplies (flashlight, blanket, jumper cables) in your car in case of a breakdown or an accident.
-- Try to limit your driving in winter storms if at all possible; the fewer cars there are on the roads, the easier it is for snow remove to be done successfully.
-- You can also help operations by not parking on the street and by removing all portable basketball goals and recreation equipment from the street.

How do city crews prepare for snow throughout the year?
The city has refresher training for all drivers/operators, including snow truck training in September and dry-run rehearsals in October. All equipment is inspected annually.

A snow advisory committee also provides guidance to ensure snow operations go smoothly. With the exception of emergency requests from the Public Safety dispatchers, individual requests for snow removal cannot be taken until after major operations have been completed.

Reporting a Snow and Ice Problem

To report snow and ice problems: E-mail or call the Street Maintenance Division, 913-856-6945, with a description, location of the problem and any other pertinent information. Regular business hours are 7 am to 4 pm, Monday-Friday.