Snowplowing

A recently plowed street in the winter.

Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions (and answers) received by the Public Works Department regarding snow removal in the city.

If you have a question that is not answered here, call 952.988.8400 or submit a question or service request via Minnetonka Mike.

When do snowplowing operations begin?
By November 1, Minnetonka Public Works snow removal crews have been assigned and more than 29 vehicles, from dump trucks to motorgraders to pickups, have been prepped and are ready to roll in event of a snowfall.
Does the city have snow emergencies that affect on-street parking?
The city of Minnetonka does not declare snow emergencies. As is required by city ordinance throughout the year, vehicles may not be parked on city streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Illegally parked vehicles may hinder snowplows from fully clearing streets. Call the Minnetonka Police Department at 952.939.8500 if you are concerned about a vehicle parked on your street.
How often does chemical control take place in the city?
Frost patrol starts in December and continues through February. Public Works employees are on the roads at 5 a.m. five days a week to check for frost and light snow. Should they find these conditions, chemicals are spread to increase traction and promote melting. Chemical control trucks work just about every day, with major efforts occurring about 25 times a year.
What is that white residue I’ve seen on city roads the past few winters?
Lack of snow and less moisture, in combination with the salt used on roads, helps contribute to the white residue visible on Minnetonka roads the past few winters. The city, as well as the county and the state, are using salt only on the roads in Minnetonka, instead of a salt and sand mixture. However, Minnetonka Public Works now uses less than half the salt that was used a decade ago. Sand has been eliminated completely because of its negative effect on the city’s water resources.
Once snow begins to fall, when does snow removal start?
Timing of the start of snow removal depends on when the snowfall ends. In most cases, snowplowing operations begin between midnight and 4 a.m., but the exact time depends on the predicted start and end of the snowfall and its intensity. Usually two inches or more of snow accumulation triggers the start of city-wide snow removal.
Does the city plow every road in Minnetonka?
City personnel are responsible only for city roadways. They do not plow county or state highways or private roads and parking lots.
Why are some streets plowed before others?
The city is divided into 24 areas, each of which has ‘arterial’ or ‘collector’ streets. These streets are plowed first, while residential streets and cul-de-sacs are plowed last. It’s anticipated that by plowing collectors and arterials first, motorists will have only two or three blocks to travel before reaching a plowed street. In an average snowfall, the goal of city crews is to clear streets and cul-de-sacs within 10 hours. Bare pavement is not the goals of snow removal in Minnetonka—instead, roadways are cleared then treated to hasten melting of any remaining snow.
What is the priority for plowing the city’s sidewalks, trails and ice rinks?
Heavy or even average snowfall requires a three-day operation to clear (in this order) streets, city-owned parking lots, sidewalks, trails and ice rinks. Removal of snow from streets is the first priority, and since the amount of personnel and equipment working on the city parking lots, sidewalks, trails and ice rinks is smaller, it takes more time to clear these areas.
Why do people living in cul-de-sacs seem to receive more snow in their driveways than people living on regular streets?
Snow removal in cul-de-sacs is challenging because of the way driveways are situated. As much as possible, plow drivers try to plow snow away from driveways and deposit it in open areas of the cul-de-sac.
Shoveling a big pile of snow out of a driveway.
Why does the snowplow come back and fill in my driveway after I’ve already cleaned it?
During heavy snowfalls, snow removal is accomplished in three separate steps, so plan your driveway snow shoveling or blowing accordingly.
  • The first pass provides an initial access path down streets.
  • After all streets have received a first pass, full-width plowing takes place, often within a few hours of the first pass.
  • Final cleanup occurs the next day and includes intersection cleanup, chemical control and plowing where vehicles were parked.
Can I push my excess snow into or across the street?
City ordinances require that snow be placed on the right-of-way adjacent to the closest property. It should not be pushed into or across the street. If you use a contractor to clear your snow, it is your responsibility to make the contractor aware of city snow removal guidelines.
Does the city plow out fire hydrants?
With more than 3,500 fire hydrants in Minnetonka, it’s impossible for public works crews to remove snow from around all of them. You’ll save precious minutes in event of a fire by ‘adopting’ a hydrant and keeping it clear of snow throughout the winter.
Does the city plow out bus benches?
Bus benches are owned by a private company, U.S. Bench, not by the city or by Metro Transit. It is the responsibility of U.S. Bench to remove snow from its benches in Minnetonka. Questions and concerns about bus benches may be directed to U.S. Bench at 612.721.2525 or www.usbench.com.
Does the city plow around recycling containers and garbage cans?
Unfortunately, plow drivers can’t plow around or set up containers that are knocked over. Please set out garbage cans and recycling containers behind the curb line so they won’t be knocked over by snowplows or by snow coming off the plow.
Does the city repair damaged mailboxes?
Mailboxes that are physically hit and damaged by city snowplows will be repaired. However, mailboxes that break from the force of snow coming off the plow will not be repaired.
Will the city repair damage that occurs near the edge of the street?
The city will repair sod damage that results from city snowplows, but as a rule does not repair private improvements (fences, sprinklers, rock gardens, etc.) installed in the city right-of-way.
When will damage be repaired?
The street division is responsible for boulevard restoration of plow damage to sod and curbing. This restoration is generally completed in May and June. Damage to mailboxes, sprinklers and other private improvements within the right-of-way will be assessed by the street manager to determine if the city is responsible for restoration. After snow removal operations are complete, the street manager will respond to calls received for damages to private improvements. If you have questions or concerns, call Minnetonka Public Works at 952.988.8400 or contact Minnetonka Mike.
How do the plow drivers know where the edge of the street is when there’s a heavy snowfall?
Zones are assigned to each snowplow driver at the start of the season. As much as possible, snowplow drivers stay in their assigned zones for the entire winter, allow him or her to become very familiar with the roadway features in a specific area. However, you can help make the snowplow driver’s job easier by putting in curb markers to show the edge of your lawn or driveway. The city provides free markers to residents—stop by Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, or Minnetonka Public Works, 11522 Minnetonka Boulevard, to pick up your markers. Remember, installation is easier when the ground isn’t frozen solid, so plan ahead!