Public Works Department
The Public Works Department ensures that the City streets, parks, stormwater system, and buildings are maintained and safe for the residents of Ham Lake. Plus, they maintain a fleet of construction equipment, trucks, and city vehicles.
Streets
The Public Works Department maintains approximately 140 miles of roads which includes 235 cul-de-sacs. Street Maintenance minimizes deterioration and maintains public safety, providing safe, convenient travel, and prolonging the life of streets. Maintenance includes seal coating, crack sealing, pothole patching, street sweeping, and gravel road maintenance in the summer months and snow plowing with ice control in the winter months. This department also is responsible for roadside mowing and trimming boulevard trees.
The City of Ham Lake, Anoka County, and MnDOT have ongoing street construction projects. To find out updated information about these projects, including maps, click here.
The City has developed a Pavement Management Plan. The Plan, along with yearly inspections, helps determine the course of maintenance for each street.
- Pothole Patching Policy
- Street Sweeping Policy
- Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy
- Traffic Sign Policy
Residents can ensure that snowplow drivers can do their jobs by installing their mailboxes per the specifications of the U.S. Post Office and not place landscaping or debris on the City right-of-way.
- Mailbox Installation Specifications
- Utility Right-of-way (ROW) permit application form
- Utility Right-of-way (ROW) extension request form
- Utility Right-of-way (ROW) completion certificate
Winter Parking Rules
In an effort to keep all City streets clear in the winter months, THERE IS NO PARKING ON ANY CITY STREET BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 6:00 A.M., BETWEEN OCTOBER 1 AND APRIL 30, OF ANY YEAR.
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."
Several issues should be considered before pushing snow into or across the street. One is increased spring flooding. The city’s stormwater 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 taxpayers 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.
Stormwater
The City of Ham Lake’s stormwater system is made up of its storm sewers and related water quality and holding ponds that help control the quantity and quality of rain and snowmelt entering our area’s ponds and ditches. It is the responsibility of the Public Works Department to maintain this system.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program
City Parks
To view our parks and amenities, click here.
For park rental information, click here.