Winter Regulations and Information
As we enter November, residents are reminded that from Nov. 1 through April 1, there is no parking on City streets between 2-6 a.m.
These parking restrictions were instituted to allow snowplows to effectively clear snow from City streets. Please keep in mind cars can be ticketed for violating this rule even if there is no snow falling, or on the ground. Also, after a two-inch or greater snowfall, “No Parking” is automatically enforced on City streets, day or night, until snowplowing has been completed. Residents also need to keep garbage and recycling cans, as well as basketball hoops, off the streets.
Keep Snow and Objects off the Roadway
Snowplow drivers would like to remind citizens not to push snow from driveways onto the street. Any snow left on the road or side of the road can freeze and create a hazard for snowplow drivers and equipment if they catch the frozen ridge with their plow.
Minnesota Statutes prohibit plowing, shoveling, blowing, or depositing snow on a public street. The violation is a misdemeanor. In addition, the property owner and/or person dumping the snow could be liable for damages. Also just a reminder to keep garbage and recycling cans, as well as basketball hoops and other objects from the roadway. These items should be kept in the driveway and should not extend into the street making it difficult to remove snow effectively.
Snow Removal
From time to time you may see Public Works staff removing snow from such places as cul-de-sacs or boulevards. This is necessary to maintain capacity and safety for everyone using the roadway. This work takes place as time permits in between snow falls.
Clear Snow from Hydrants and Mailboxes
Please help out by clearing snow from fire hydrants and mailboxes near your house. Street workers try to keep the snow clear from hydrants, but it is impossible to do until all streets and sidewalks are cleared. Your help is greatly appreciated by Street Workers, Firefighters and Postal Carriers.
Application of Salt to Clear Streets
The City on occasion receives questions regarding the use of salt to clear streets. The effectiveness of salt is dependent on the road temperature which is impacted by both sun and traffic volumes. For example, 1 pound of salt at 30 degrees would melt around 46.3 pounds of ice. However, when the temperature drops to zero degrees, then the same 1 pound of salt will only melt about 2.5 pounds of ice. The City also does what it can to limit salt without jeopardizing safety as the use of salt is monitored by the MPCA for environmental quality purposes. Public Works monitors the condition of the City streets to ensure the safety of drivers and also uses sand and rock chips to help with traction under certain conditions.
When does my street get plowed?
The City of St. Michael currently has 12 roadway snowplow routes, each consisting of approximately 10+ miles, and two trail routes. The roads and trails are handled by City employees, and sidewalks are plowed by the City’s sidewalk contractor. Snow accumulation of two inches or more warrants the official snow event plowing of all roads, trails and sidewalks in St. Michael. Call out is normally at 3:00 am when practical, and lasts until all City roads are plowed. Other than in our high traffic areas (downtown and schools), the trails and sidewalks will often be completed the following day. Routes are generally plowed in the order of use demand. The roadways that get the most traffic are plowed first (i.e. Highway 241, collector roads, etc.). What this often means is that low volume roads such as cul-de-sacs and dead ends will generally be plowed later in the day after the main collector roads have been plowed. During long snow events, the main high volume/collector routes are often plowed more than once before we are able to get to the low volume roads, but all roads will be plowed before the snow event is considered complete. Snow forecasts also play a key role in the City’s plowing strategies.