Ames Today

City of Madrid recently issued the following announcement.

What is the biggest thing the people of Madrid can do when there is a threat of measurable snowfall?

First thing, residents should watch the weather forecasts.  Also – residents can sign up for MadTap – the City’s text notification system, view our Madrid, Ia facebook page or go to www.madridiowa.org for snow ordinance updates and finally, the most important thing is to get vehicles off the road.  Snow removal operations will begin when there is an accumulation of at least ONE INCH of snow. Any vehicle parked in any public street or alley during a snow ordinance may be ticketed by the Madrid Police Department.

Also, if cars are off the road, Public Works crews can plow more effectively which helps residents get back to normal sooner.  Please allow Public Works at least 24 hours to return streets back to normal winter driving conditions.

What are some tips/tricks people can do through the winter to help out with public works?

The biggest tip would be to get cars off the roadways.  By getting cars off the roads and alleys, it allows the Public Works crews to clear the snow faster and more efficiently.

There are three phases of snow removal:

1) The initial pass to open up the traveled portion of the roadways

2) the clean-up phase sends crews back down our streets to widen roadways and remove piled up snow.  This will move snow from curb to curb.

3) Alleyways – Alleyways are always completed AFTER the streets are clear.

What kind of material gets laid down to prepare for a winter storm?

The City of Madrid combines liquid salt brine and rock salt.  The liquid salt brine is laid down prior to any snow or ice event and the rock salt is used during removal.

Where does the snow get placed, if anywhere, when the streets are plowed?

Snow is pushed onto the back side of our curbs/city right-of-ways.  It is also piled and hauled to different city-owned lots within the city limits.  When pushing and removing snow from our streets, our plows can cause snow to backfill into an open, clean driveway.  This is not meant to be a burden on residents, but is an unfortunate side-effect of snow removal.

What can citizen’s do to help with sidewalks in residential and business areas?

Madrid’s Code of Ordinances require property owners to remove snow, ice and accumulations promptly from sidewalks. If a property owner fails to remove snow, ice or accumulations with 24 hours from end of snow event, the City may do so and assess the costs against the property owner.

Anything else?

It is unlawful for any person to throw, push or place any snow from private property, sidewalks or driveway into the street. Snow must remain on your property.

A typical Iowa winter will include 32” of snow, several freezing rain events, below zero temperatures and lots of blowing and drifting snow.  Please contact Scott Church, Madrid Public Works Director or City Hall with any questions.

Original source can be found here.