Official Comment From Peru for Snow Issues

City of Peru, Illinois Offices
Yesterday at 14:12 · Edited ·
City of Peru Winter Snow Event Guidelines

As the winter season approaches and the possibility of winter snow storms increase, residents are reminded of the City of Peru Snow Removal Policies and Actions for the 2015/2016 winter season. Please take caution during any snowstorm if you need to be driving on the roadways. If possible, please remain home during the time when it is snowing.

It is unavoidable for City of Peru snowplows to push snow on sidewalks at all intersection corners during cleanup operations. It shall be the responsibility of the adjacent residential/ business owner to remove these snow berms from the corners of intersections.

Snow Parking Ban

On-street parking is prohibited by City Ordinance accumulations of 3 inches or more. Parked cars are an obstacle to the snowplows. In addition, plowing around parked cars leaves large areas of snow and ice on the roadway. Once the snowplow trucks have cleared the street by your home or business, you may move your vehicle back to the street. Some older neighborhoods in Peru do not have adequate off-street parking options. In those areas, residents are encouraged to seek permission from neighbors who have off-street parking spaces and other parking options such as commercial or church parking lots that will allow streets to be clear of vehicles for all snow clearing efforts to be effective. The Peru Police Department will have the option of issuing a parking ticket to the owner of a vehicle left on a city street during a snow event as well as having the option of having the vehicle towed, or both. All towing and storage costs will be the responsibility of the vehicle owner.

During Snowfall Events: The City of Peru Public Works Department will mobilize its crews when there is a measurable accumulation of snowfall or if the winter mix is causing a hazardous driving situation such as freezing rain. The public work department is responsible for over 62 miles of roadway with a fleet of 14 snowplow trucks and a crew of 14 employees. Peru has a goal of clearing all streets within 24 hours after the snow stops falling. Heavier snows often take longer to clear. Due to the volume of streets to be cleared of snow, and the staffing and equipment available, roadways crews may not be able to return to streets where parked vehicles were not moved when the plow came through the first time during snow removal operations. Crews will return during normal working hours after all streets have been cleared.

Streets: Street plowing operations are performed in the following order:
1. Major Arterials, hospital routes, hills, and the bridges and Illinois Valley Regional Airport based on incoming and outgoing flight and air ambulance operational needs.
2. Subdivision mains and collector streets
3. All remaining subdivision streets
4. Cul-de-sacs and dead ends
5. The City does NOT plow alleys unless and until, all streets and the Illinois Valley Airport are completely cleared.

A mixture of salt, sun, and traffic is utilized to help with the de-icing procedures. Some snow is left on the street after plowing because allowances must be made for manhole lids and other above-pavement obstacles to avoid damaging snowplow blades. When plowing is required, snow “berms” are created across driveways. The plow operators do not have control over the windrow of snow coming off the edge of the blade. Public works employees try to keep this problem to a minimum. The residents of Peru are respectfully asked to be patient and recognize that during the winter months there will be some inconvenience.

Shoveling Guidelines
• Commercial property owners are responsible for plowing commercial parking lots, driveways, and public sidewalks adjoining their businesses.
• Residential property owners are responsible for shoveling or plowing public sidewalks adjoining their homes.
• Shoveling snow into the street is a City Code violation.
• Shovel out fire hydrants that are in or around your property and around meters to aid utility meter readers.
• Clear sidewalks of snow for the safety of pedestrians and children walking to school.
• Uncover your mailbox and create a path for postal vehicles to pull up to mailboxes.
• Help your neighbors. For many residents, age or medical conditions make it difficult to shovel snow.

Mailboxes: The City of Peru snow fighters make every effort to clear the roads from curb to curb where cars are not parked on the street. In many cases of wet snow, the snow or plow blade may damage/remove mailboxes that are set close to the street. This is unavoidable. Mailbox damage complaints will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The City of Peru cannot reimburse for any mailbox damage on improperly located mailboxes. The standard and accepted mailbox placement should be 42 inches measured from the ground surface to the bottom of the mailbox. The mailbox should be located so the front of the box is no closer than 6 inches from the back of curb. Any questions regarding the placement of mailboxes should be directed to the La Salle Post Office at 815-223-2635.

Winter Preparedness Kits

Vehicle:
• Cell phone and charger
• Blankets/sleeping bag
• Flashlight and batteries
• First Aid Kit
• High calorie non-perishable food
• Extra clothing
• Windshield scraper
• Battery booster cable
• GPS or maps

Work and Home:
• Battery powered NOAA weather radio
• Extra food and water
• Extra prescription medication
• First aid supplies
• Emergency heat source (wood stove, fireplace, space heater)
• Food, water, and shelter for pets

If you must travel, make sure your gas tank is full and you have a survival kit in your vehicle. Tell your family and friends where you are going, the roads you plan on taking, and your expected time of arrival. If you become stranded on the road during winter storms call for help. Do not try to walk to safety. Stay in your vehicle and attach a cloth to the antenna or window to indicate you need help. Turn on the dome light and flashers to make your vehicle more noticeable.

Public Works Department 223-2962

Stay safe!

Think spring!

Doug Bernabei
Chief of Police
Administrative Services Manager
City of Peru