By ordinance, the City Council authorizes a winter weather emergency declaration when winter weather events create hazardous conditions that warrant the removal of snow and ice from City streets, including the following types of events:

• Snow with 2 – 3 inches or more of accumulation
• Widespread freezing rain or freezing fog
• Other winter weather conditions that warrant a City-wide response

During a winter weather emergency, all vehicles must be removed from City streets until snow and ice control operations are complete. The winter weather emergency is a City-wide declaration and will be in effect until all snow and/or ice has been cleared from City streets. During a winter weather emergency, parking citations ($50 fine) may be issued by the Janesville Police Department for vehicles that violate the parking restrictions. Vehicles may also be towed at the owner’s expense.

The City notifies the public of winter weather emergency declarations in a number of ways. To stay informed: · Visit the City’s website · Follow the City of Janesville on Facebook · Sign up for Winter Weather Emergency email alerts · Sign up for Nixle alerts from JPD

• Call the Snow Hotline at (608) 755-SNOW (755-7669)
• Tune into WCLO 1230 AM and WJVL 99.9 FM · Read the Janesville Gazette or visit www.gazettextra.com

Winter Weather Emergency Parking

The best place to park during a winter weather emergency is in your garage or driveway. Free public parking is available in any City-owned parking lot. Parking is encouraged in the following downtown municipal lots:

1. E. Wall Street Lot at E. Wall Street & N. Parker Drive
2. City Hall Lot at W. Wall Street & N. Jackson Street
3. S. High Street Lot at W. Court Street & S. High Street
4. Senior Center Lot at St. Lawrence Avenue & Water Street
5. Hedberg Public Library Lot on Water Street
6. River/Union Street Lot at S. River Street & Union Street
7. N. Parker Drive Parking Ramp at N. Parker Drive and E. Wall Street

Winter Weather FAQs

Q: My vehicle was towed. Where was it taken?

A: Call the non-emergency Janesville Police Department at (608) 757-2244 to get the location of your vehicle.

Q: What happens if there are is snow accumulating on the roads and I haven’t heard that a Winter Weather Emergency has been declared?

A: For some winter weather storms, it is difficult to predict how much snow and/or ice will accumulate. This makes it difficult for City staff to notify the community of an impending winter weather emergency and City-wide snow and ice control operations for some events. City staff will do their best to provide as much notice as possible of a winter weather emergency, but it is best to plan ahead and park your vehicle off-street if snow or freezing rain is forecasted.

Q: I saw a City truck spraying a liquid on the street before it started snowing. What is the liquid and will it cause damage to my vehicle?

A: The City truck was applying a liquid chemical to the pavement as part of the City’s proactive anti-icing program. The purpose of this program is to reduce the risk of traffic accidents resulting from slick pavement, particularly in frost situations and during minor snow events. This program targets bridges, hills, sharp curves, and certain main arterial streets throughout the City. The applied liquid will not hurt your vehicle, but drivers are asked to stay back a safe distance if traveling behind an anti-icing truck.

Q: I saw a plow drive by with its plow blade up, and there is snow on the pavement. Why aren’t the drivers plowing?

A: When snow is still falling, you may see City crews driving City streets with their plows up while chemically treating the streets with salt. Salting is the City’s primary method of managing ice and minor snow accumulations (less than 2 to 3 inches). If snow accumulates to more than 2 to 3 inches, the salt will help break the bond of the snow and ice with the pavement and also allow for the plows to better clear the roadways once they are utilized. Depending on the pavement temperature, the rate of snowfall, and a multitude of other variables, different salting/plowing strategies may be implemented to maximize the efficiency of snow removal operations. The City is divided into 15 plow routes with plow operators assigned to each. In an effort to provide timely and efficient winter weather management of each of those zones, operators generally do not plow or salt areas of the City that are not their assigned route.

Q: My mailbox was hit by a plow. Will the City fix or replace the mailbox?

A: Occasionally, snow plowing can result in damage to mailboxes. The City will repair the damage or replace the mailbox according to federal and state guidelines if certain criteria are met. Mailbox damage must be reported within 30 days of damage, or at the latest by May 31 of each year, and inspected by City staff prior to approval of replacement by the City. Reimbursement or replacement requests must be submitted by July 1 of each year. Mailboxes that are improperly installed are not eligible for replacement. A standard mailbox design will be used for replacements, including replacement of decorative mailboxes. Property owners who install decorative mailboxes or other materials and structures in the public right-of-way do so at their own risk. Property owners can report damaged mailboxes online at www.janesvillewi.gov/mailboxdamage or by calling City Services at (608) 755-3110.

Q: My neighbor’s sidewalk is always un-shoveled and icy. Are they required to clear the sidewalk of snow and ice?

A: Keeping your sidewalk free of snow and ice is important for the safety and well-being of pedestrians, particularly those with physical disabilities. City Ordinance 34-59 requires property owners to keep sidewalks abutting their property free from snow and ice. This includes the crosswalk approach and the curb line within the crosswalk approach. Sidewalks on residential, commercial, industrial, and vacant property must be cleared of snow and ice within 12 hours after a winter weather event. If a property owner fails to do so within a reasonable time frame, City staff will clear the snow and ice at the property owner’s expense. To report a snow-covered or icy sidewalk, please call the City Services Center at (608) 755-3110. More information is available on the Snow & Ice Covered Sidewalks webpage.

Q: Should I shovel around fire hydrants located near my property?

A: The Fire Department asks all residents to make sure a large area is shoveled around any nearby fire hydrants. In case of a fire emergency, having the hydrants easily visible and clear saves time and allows the firefighters to begin their work more quickly. For questions, please contact the Fire Department at (608) 755-3050.

Q: Is it ok to plow snow from my driveway into the terrace on the other side of the street? Can I shovel snow from my sidewalk or driveway into the road?

A: City Ordinance 34-343 prohibits depositing snow from a sidewalk, driveway, or driveway approach onto a City street or alley. The violation that most frequently occurs is when snow from a driveway or parking lot is pushed across the street from the parking lot entrance or driveway and piled on the opposite side of the street either on the terrace or in the street. Placing snow from a parking lot, driveway, or sidewalk into the street creates a safety hazard for motorists and City snow removal operators. Having to remove or maneuver around these large piles of snow also impacts the efficiency of snow removal operations. Offenders may be ordered to remove the snow, and those property owners who do not comply will be billed all costs incurred by the City to perform the work. To report an incident of plowing into the street, please call the City Services Center at (608) 755-3110.

Q: I have a decorative flower box installed on my terrace, and City plowing operations damaged it. Will the City replace the flower box or repair the damage?

A: Property owners who install or place decorative mailboxes or other materials and structures in the public right-of-way do so at their own risk. The intent of snow plowing operations is to push large amounts of snow out of the street and onto the terrace. The City will not replace or repair any unapproved structures or items that are placed in the public right-of-way and are therefore damaged due to snow plowing operations.

Q: Do snow plow drivers have to deposit so much snow in my driveway?

A: Snow that is deposited in driveway approaches and onto sidewalks is an inconvenient and unavoidable aspect of snow plowing operations. This may occur repeatedly throughout the day depending on the severity of the storm. It is the responsibility of the resident to clear their driveway. To help alleviate excessive snow buildup, the City recommends shoveling or snow blowing the snow back behind the curbing and away from the driveway approach.

For general winter weather emergency information or questions, please contact the Operations Division at (608) 755-3110 or visit www.janesvillewi.gov/snow.