DID YOU KNOW MOVING SNOW ONTO OR ACROSS A CITY STREET IS ILLEGAL, DANGEROUS AND COSTLY TO TAXPAYERS????

MN State Statute 160.2715

"(a) Except for the actions of the road authorities, their agents, employees, contractors, and utilities in carrying out their duties imposed by law or contract, and except as herein provided, it shall be unlawful to:

(1) obstruct any highway or deposit snow or ice thereon; (b) Any violation of this section is a misdemeanor."

There are several issues that should be considered before pushing snow into or across the street. One being increased spring flooding. The city’s storm water system is designed to flow freely and with minimal restriction to holding areas and other water conveyances. If that system becomes blocked due to an illegal snow pile, it can begin to back up and flood streets, yards and even houses.

There is also the added wear and tear and sometimes damage to city vehicles. Some of these snow banks will freeze solid and if hit by a plow, can damage and even destroy the plow, costing taxpayer’s money and time to repair the plow (time that would be better spent clearing the roads of snow for residents). And lastly, there is the added cost to taxpayers for city crews, vehicles, and equipment to go out and remove the illegal snow to a safe location.