Snow & Ice

Snow & Ice  *  Roadway Plowing Priority   *  Storm Water  *  Sandbags   *  Snow Removal

The Town of Paradise Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining the safety of streets within the Town limits. As part of its mission, the Street Maintenance Division conducts sanding and snow removal operations to mitigate hazardous driving conditions during snow and ice events.

The Town of Paradise Snow and Ice Control Plan is designed to provide the safest possible roadway system. However, this plan does not guarantee that streets will be free of snow and ice after plowing. Bare, dry pavement should not be expected and will not be provided. This plan attempts to maintain an adequate driving surface for properly equipped vehicles and drivers prepared for winter driving conditions.

Click here to watch a Power Point Presentation on how the Paradise Public Works Department responds to winter weather conditions and what you can do to help.

Click here for pictures of the Feb 27, 2007 Snow storm

For more information about Winter Weather Conditions and how to best prepare for them. Visit the American Red Cross.

Go to Priority Listing of Roadways for the priority list of Town roads to be snow plowed during a snow storm. 

Can’t the Town remove the snow they put in my driveway and sidewalk?
When you consider the large number of driveways and amount of sidewalks in the Town, it is just too costly and time consuming to use additional people and equipment to perform this service. Our primary duty is to open and keep open the main roadway system.

Why not plow to the center?
Piling snow to the center of a street can create a hazardous situation. Traffic flow is restricted by eliminating a portion of a lane. The freeze-thaw cycle creates problems when the melting snow freezes on the road surface every evening. This practice can also create sight obstructions for low vehicles and cause problems for residents entering and exiting their driveways.

Can I park my car on the street?
Sure, but when snow begins to accumulate we ask that you find an alternative place to park. Having to swerve a snowplow in and out between parked vehicles is not only dangerous, but also nerve-wracking for our drivers. We cannot do an efficient job with parked vehicles on the street. Also, we could plow your car in with a snow bank. So please do not park on the street when there is snow or ice.

Why are residential streets seldom plowed?
With over 102 miles of streets to maintain it is usually not possible to plow all of the streets. The Town has prioritized the streets according to their relative necessity.

For more information about winter weather

PRIORITY LISTING OF ROADWAYS

CLEARING PRIVATE ROADS AND DRIVEWAYS

The Town's Snow & Ice Plan is designed to move the highest number of people by keeping the major arterials, main transit and truck routes usable. The snow and ice removal starts with the major arterial routes, followed by second and third priority roads, following The Town's snow and ice removal plan.

The Town of Paradise Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining the safety of streets within the Town limits. As part of its mission, the Street Maintenance Division conducts sanding and snow removal operations to mitigate hazardous driving conditions during snow and ice events.

The Town of Paradise Snow and Ice Control Plan is designed to provide the safest possible roadway system. However, this plan does not guarantee that streets will be free of snow and ice after plowing. Bare, dry pavement should not be expected and will not be provided. This plan attempts to maintain an adequate driving surface for properly equipped vehicles and drivers prepared for winter driving conditions.

FAQ'S

Can’t the Town remove the snow they put in my driveway and sidewalk?
When you consider the large number of driveways and amount of sidewalks in the Town, it is just too costly and time consuming to use additional people and equipment to perform this service. Our primary duty is to open and keep open the main roadway system.

Why not plow to the center?
Piling snow to the center of a street can create a hazardous situation. Traffic flow is restricted by eliminating a portion of a lane. The freeze-thaw cycle creates problems when the melting snow freezes on the road surface every evening. This practice can also create sight obstructions for low vehicles and cause problems for residents entering and exiting their driveways.

Can I park my car on the street?
Sure, but when snow begins to accumulate we ask that you find an alternative place to park. Having to swerve a snowplow in and out between parked vehicles is not only dangerous, but also nerve-wracking for our drivers. We cannot do an efficient job with parked vehicles on the street. Also, we could plow your car in with a snow bank. So please do not park on the street when there is snow or ice.

Why are residential streets seldom plowed?
With over 102 miles of streets to maintain it is usually not possible to plow all of the streets. The Town has prioritized the streets according to their relative necessity.

EVENT BACKGROUND & RESPONSE

The Town of Paradise Streets Maintenance Division is responsible for approximately 215 lane miles of roadway, and 5 miles of bike/pedestrian walkways.

The following snow and ice removal equipment is based at the Town Corporation Yard, located at 933 American Way:

Equipment

No. Year I.D. # Description

1 2004 3 Ford F-350 4x4 with Plow

1 2005 67 Ford F-550 Dump Bed with Plow

1 1985 24 International Dump Truck with Plow

1 1993 12 GMC Dump Truck with Plow

1 1985 15 Chevrolet 1 Ton 4X4 with Sander

1 1992 09 Ford 1 Ton 4X4 with Plow and Sander

1 1993 07 Ford 1 Ton 4X4 with Plow

1 1994 16 Ford 1 Ton 4X4 with Plow

1 1981 30 Champion Motor Grader

1 1995 21 Cat Front Loader with Backhoe

1 1985 17 Case Front Loader

Staffing includes the seven full-time Street Maintenance personnel, as well as available part-time employees. In addition, the Public Works Department maintains a list of available contract employees that are trained and available to operate Town equipment should the snow event be of extended duration.

While each snow event is different, it is likely that the following call-out procedures will be utilized:

In the event of a winter snow advisory, with a predicted accumulation of greater than 3", the Public Works Director/Town Engineer and/or Public Works Supervisor may call in the personnel he feels will be required to have an effective initial response. All available Town employee resources may be called in initially, but at least two employees shall be replaced by contract employees within four (4) hours, if it appears that plowing and sanding shall be a multi-shift response.

In the event of wet pavements and predicted temperatures below freezing the Public Works Director/Town Engineer and/or Public Works Supervisor may authorize the activation of sander units. The goal is to be pro-active and to sand and/or place salt on streets before the pavement temperature reaches freezing, to avoid the early morning traffic reduce the potential for ice induced accidents.

If the snow or ice event occurs that has not been predicted, the existing procedure of Police Department call-out shall be utilized. The Public Works Director/Town Engineer, Public Works Supervisor and On-Call person should be notified.

SNOW AND ICE OPERATIONS

Snow and ice removal operations will be conducted on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, as needed. Equipment operators and supervisors should be ready to commence snow and/or ice removal operations at any time it is determined that operations must begin.

Primary responsibility for snow removal planning, operation direction and snow fighting decision making will be the Public Works Director/Town Engineer and Public Works Supervisor. There will always be one (1) person in charge of the operations and that person will have all authority and responsibility to conduct snow/ice control operations as outlined in this policy. In addition, this policy is designed to be used in conjunction with the existing Town Incident Command System (ICS), and the existing framework of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

If the decision to commence snow and/or ice removal operations is made during the normal work day, operators and supervisors shall be prepared to cease the activities they are engaged in and begin snow and/or ice removal preparations and operations.

If the conditions are such that snow and/or ice removal must begin after normal working hours, the Police Department will notify the Public Works Director/Town Engineer, Public Works Supervisor and the On-Call Streets Maintenance Worker.

Rest periods or meal breaks shall be coordinated by the Supervisor until all Priority One Streets have been plowed. Employees will normally be limited to a maximum of 16 hours of continuous snow plowing. This is in consideration of the safety of the operator and the public and liability exposure to the Town. Employees may be requested to work longer than 16 hours during a declared snow disaster.

Cooperation and communication between the Police Department and the Public Works Department is critical during a winter storm. There will be close contact between the two departments during plowing and sanding operations. The Police Department shall keep the Public Works Department informed as to street conditions and be on the alert for trouble spots including icy streets and reduced visibility at intersections. The Public Works Department will inform the Police Department when plowing operations begin, and keep them informed until operations have ceased. The Police Department may request certain areas be plowed or replowed if hazardous or dangerous conditions exist. All such requests shall be addressed to the Public Works Supervisor or Public Works Director/Town Engineer. It is likely that during significant snow events, all requests shall be made through the organizational structure of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

EQUIPMENT OPERATION

Equipment operators are responsible for their equipment and shall inspect this equipment prior to beginning plowing operations to insure it is in proper working order. All malfunctions must be reported to the Public Works Supervisor. Operators will perform an inspection and complete the vehicle pre-trip checklist for their particular vehicle prior to placing into service.

Fueling of equipment will occur at the end of each shift, to prepare for the next shift’s operation.

Whenever feasible, equipment operators shall obey all traffic laws during snow plowing and sanding operations. Operators shall strive to avoid pushing large quantities of snow into private driveways or in front of mailboxes. However, given that all of our equipment pushes snow, it is not possible to completely avoid placing snow in front of private driveways or mailboxes. Town staff will not assist residents with clearing snow from private driveways or mailboxes.

Operators who are involved in an accident are required to report the accident immediately to their supervisor and the Police Department. Damage to fixed objects such as mailboxes, etc., should be noted as to time, place, and circumstances in the daily snow report. Operators must also complete an accident report, and submit to their supervisor before the end of their shift.

The Town Policy with regards to private vehicles stuck in the snow will be as follows:

Operators are prohibited from assisting motorists with tire chains, unless request is made by the Town Manager and/or EOC Director.
Operators are prohibited from assisting in freeing stuck vehicles, unless the vehicle is blocking the roadway and creating a traffic hazard. Operators will inform the Police Department Dispatch of the location of vehicles stuck and/or off the road, in order to arrange for towing.
If requested by the occupant of the vehicle (and necessary for the safety of the occupant), operators may provide courtesy transportation along their assigned route, to the nearest public phone. The operator will call in to the Police Dept. Dispatch to log the time and mileage at the start of the trip. The operator will also call dispatch upon completion of the courtesy transportation, to log the time location and ending mileage.

Operators are required to submit snow reports at the end of each shift. Items to be included in these reports are:

Date, time and duration of shift
Wind velocity and direction
Route(s) plowed
Supervisor
Tons of material spread (if sanding)
Breakdowns (if any)
Percentage of Route completed
Any deviations from the assigned route
Other applicable comments

See Appendix A-1 for a sample snow report form.

CITIZEN COOPERATION

In order to achieve the best possible result from the Public Works Department’s snow and ice removal operations, all citizens of the Town of Paradise are requested to cooperate fully with the Department. During winter storm conditions, all residents are asked to remove their parked vehicles from all Town Streets. This will allow snow plows an opportunity to clear the streets quicker and with fewer passes, saving both time and money.

TRAFFIC CONTROL

The Police Chief, after consultation with the Town Manager and/or EOC Director, shall institute chains or four wheel drive with snow tires restriction, when conditions warrant. It is anticipated that these restrictions shall be setup in conjunction with Butte County Public Works Department, Butte County Sheriffs Department, and the California Highway Patrol. It is critical to the success of this plan that non-chained vehicles be stopped prior to entering the Town of Paradise. Normally, the first tier of controls will be enacted by the Highway Patrol, at Bruce Road and Skyway, just east of Chico. The second control point will be staffed by the Town Police Department or Town Disaster Volunteers, at the lower Skyway Crossroad, where non-chain equipped traffic shall be diverted back to Chico. The third anticipated control point shall be staffed by the Butte County Sheriffs Department on Skyway, at Coutolenc Road. Non-chain equipped traffic shall not be allowed to proceed up the Skyway towards Paradise Pines.

DAMAGE CLAIMS

Any damage claims caused by Town snow and ice removal operations shall be submitted to the Town Clerks office. The Town will not consider payment for damaged mailboxes unless actual contact is made with the mailbox by the plow unit. The Town also will reject claims for damage to driveways, fences or other home owner installed improvements within the public right of way, unless actual contact is made by the plow unit.

Claims for damage to individual vehicles due to flying snow or debris shall be considered on a case by case basis.

DEPARTURE FROM POLICY

The Town acknowledges the policies as set forth in this program are of a general nature and recognizes conditions may be so unusual or unexpected that a departure from this general program may need to be authorized. When conditions warrant, the Town Manager or Public Works Director, after consulting with the Police Chief, may order a departure from the general policies when conditions are such that the departure from this policy is necessary and warranted for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Town of Paradise. The Town Manager and/or EOC Director is authorized to publicly prohibit non-emergency travel when conditions warrant such a prohibition.

POLICY PRIORITY

To the extent that any previous rule, regulation, policy or past practice, written or unwritten is in conflict with the provisions of this policy, such is hereby withdrawn and voided and all personnel shall conduct themselves in conformity with this policy.

CLEARING PRIVATE ROADS AND DRIVEWAYS

The list of contractors (below) is not exhaustive and is being provided without endorsement or recommendation. The Public Works Department of the Town of Paradise is providing this list merely as a potential resource for citizens during inclement weather.

If you elect to hire a contractor for snow and/or ice removal, we recommend that normal precautionary practices suggested for hiring a home improvement contractor be utilized in dealing with these businesses. Suggested questions to ask might include:

1. How long have you been in business?
2. Are you licensed and registered with the State?
3. Have you done any snow removal jobs like mine before?
4. May I have a list of references?
5. What types of insurance do you carry?
6. Will you be removing the snow, or moving it to a different location? Where?

Further background inquiries can be made by contacting the California State Contractor License Board (800-321-2752) or the Better Business Bureau (916-443-6843).

SNOW REMOVAL CONTRACTOR LIST
*NOTE: ALL PHONE NUMBERS LISTED BELOW ARE 24 HOUR NUMBERS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

Conner Landscaping
Paradise
877-1976
228-1976 (Daylight hours only)

Dave Gaylord Enterprises
Paradise
877-4674 / 521-0268

DW Stuermer Landscaping
Magalia
873-1248

Franklin Construction Co.
Chico
343-9600

Green Ridge Landscaping
Paradise
872-1706

Lawns R Us
Chico
893-4450

McDonald Construction
Magalia
873-2397 / 521-1282

Moe's Tractor Service
Magalia
873-6045

Nickol's Backhoe & Bulldozer
Magalia
521-7403

RE Construction
Paradise
872-8338 / 514-9434

Tri-R Tractor
Magalia
873-2058 / 893-2002

Visinoni Bros. Construction
Paradise
877-3071

PRIORITY LISTING OF ROADWAYS

PRIORITY ONE - MAP

Plowing shall begin on Priority One Streets within one (1) hour of the start of snow accumulation. Priority One Streets shall be plowed curb to curb before plowing proceeds to other lower priority streets. Sand, salt, pre-wetting agents and deicers may also be used when warranted, as determined by the Public Works Director/Town Engineer or his designee.

The following streets are major arterials or collectors and are considered to be first priority routes with respect to plowing and sanding activities:

Skyway - south of Town limits to North of Town limits (This may also include plowing or sanding of Skyway to South Park Drive and plowing or sanding of Skyway crossroad if requested by Butte County Public Works or required to maintain a smooth flow of traffic.)

Clark Road - Pearson to Skyway

Pentz Road - South Town limits to Skyway

Pearson Road - Skyway to Pentz

Elliott Road - Skyway to Clark

Bille Road - Skyway to Pentz

Wagstaff Road - Skyway to Pentz

Emergency Operation Center Access Routes

Birch Road (Skyway to Black Olive Street)

Almond Street (Pearson Road to Cedar Street)

Black Olive Street - Pearson Road to Cedar Street

Alley (Between Cedar Street and Birch Street, and Between Almond Street and

Black Olive Street)

The goal of this plan is to have these streets open to properly equipped vehicles within three (3) hours and kept open throughout the event. By clearing these streets early in the event and often, the goal is to prevent the formation of an "ice deck" on the roadway.

PRIORITY TWO - MAP

Plowing shall begin on Priority Two Streets when accumulations of snow on the roadway exceeds two (2) inches and after all Priority One Streets have been plowed. Sand, salt, pre-wetting agents and deicers may also be used when warranted, as determined by the Public Works Director/Town Engineer or his designee.

The following are collectors or residential streets, and are considered to be secondary priority with respect to plowing and sanding activities:

UPPER 1/3

(BILLE ROAD TO SKYWAY)

Cabernet Lane

Gate Lane

Dean Road

Merrill Road

Rocky Lane

Harvey Road

Wagstaff Road (West of Skyway)

Oliver Road

Bille Road (West of Skyway)

MIDDLE 1/3

(BILLE ROAD TO PEARSON ROAD)

Academy Drive

Nunneley Road

Middle Libby Road

Kibbler Road

Young Avenue

Maxwood Drive

Vista Knolls Drive

Sawmill Road

Elliott Road (East of Clark Road)

North Libby Road

Central Park Drive

Maxwell Drive

Elliott Road (West of Skyway)

Oliver Road

Castle Drive

Cliff Drive

Valley View Drive

Crestmore Drive (Redbud Drive to Valley View Drive)

Redbud Drive

Honey Run Road (Skyway to Little Grand Canyon Drive)

LOWER 1/3

PEARSON ROAD AND BELOW

American Way

Edgewood Lane

Sawmill Road

South Libby Road

Buschmann Road

Scottwood Road Neal Road

Wayland Road

Foster Road

PRIORITY THREE

Plowing operations should begin on these streets when the accumulation of snow on the roadway exceeds four (4) inches and after the completion of plowing operations on Priority One and Two streets. Sand and/or salt shall normally be applied only to hills, school access streets and problem intersections as identified by the Public Works Director/Town Engineer or his designee.

The following are residential streets and are considered to be third priority with respect to plowing and sanding activities:

UPPER 1/3

Arany Court

Twin Oaks Drive

Deercreek Lane

Hollybrook Drive

Brook Way

Thomasson Lane

Ginny Lane

Parkwood Way

Diamond Avenue

Sweetbriar Lane

Sequoia Court

Berkshire Avenue

Apple View Way

Bader Mine Way

Oak Way

Zenith Lane

Lofty Lane

Himmel Street

El Toro Court

Firland Drive

Country Oak Drive

Paradisewood Drive

Molokai Drive

Melene Court

Puddleduck Court

Montana Drive

Mountain Meadow Court

Rexdale Lane

Ridgecrest Drive

Dawnridge Court

Sylmar Lane

Gregory Lane Sawmill Road

Nedry Drive

Wagoner Road

Lancaster Drive

Chris Court

Evergreen Lane

Forest Lane

Shay Lane

Roberts Road

Forest Circle

June Way

West Wagstaff Road

Bille Road Extension

Belleview Drive

Madrone Way

Danika Court

Robin Place

Graham Road

Alexander Court

Pamela Drive

Lucky John Road

Dolores Drive

Posey Lane

MIDDLE 1/3

Fickett Lane Debbie Lane

Vineyard Drive Del Mar Avenue

Conifer Drive Delia Way

Norwood Drive Tahoe Way

Vista Knolls Drive Brookwood Circle

Redwood Lane Woodbrook Circle

Freestone Court Maple Park Drive

Mabelle Way Coral Avenue

Hazel Way Coral Circle

Fox Road Berkshire Way

Sylvan Way Greenwood Drive

Elliott Road (east of Sawmill) Fairview Drive

Nielsen Drive Ripley Lane

Nielsen Court Edwards Lane (to 250' west of Ripley Lane)

Center Street Valstream Drive

Oliver Road Pineview Drive

Camellia Drive Wildwood Lane

Poppy Lane Boquest Blvd.

Aster Lane Fir Street

Dogwood Lane Honey Run Road (Little Grand Cyn. Dr. to Skyway)

Sunset Drive (Cliff Dr. to Oliver Rd.) Foster Road (Pearson Rd. To Skyway)

Laurel Drive Almond Street (Cedar St. to Elliott Rd.)

Valley Ridge Drive Cedar Street

Point West Drive Black Olive Street. (Cedar St. to Willow St..)

Royal Point Drive Willow Street

Bartels Place Queens Drive

Chandler Drive Windsor Drive

Acorn Ridge Drive Violet Way

Hollis Hill Drive Camino

Pinewood Drive Scotwood Drive (Pearson Rd. To Oak St.)

Royal Court Shadowbrook Way

Pinewood Court Golden Oaks Road

Tranquil Drive Copeland Road

Rose Lane Cathy Lane

Crestmoor Drive Newland Road

Yorkshire Drive Ingalls Road

Rankin Way Deodara Way

Locksley Court Kenglo Drive

Nottingham Drive Bonnie Lane

Nottingham Park Newman Avenue

Crestview Drive Paradise Avenue

Crestwood Drive Butte View Terrace

Crest View Drive Henson Road (to 400' west of Butte View Terrace)

Oakmore Drive Cherry Lane

LOWER 1/3

Malibu Drive Clear View Drive

Royal Canyon Drive Stearns Road

Country Club Drive Drendel Circle

Trafalgar Square Hillpark Lane

Falcon View Court Laguna Court

Feather Rock Court Harrison Road

Tokay Court DeMille Road

Joseph Court Thornberg Road

Blue Danube Drive Richmond Road

Xeno Place Alpine Court

Arrowhead Drive Scott Drive

Crandall Way Black Olive Street

Salida Way Black Olive Drive

Salida Circle Oakwood Lane

Lillian Avenue Almond Street

Yorktown Manor Circlewood Drive

Bennett Road (to 2,200' west of So. Libby Rd.) Topaz Court

Parkway Drive Hickory Way

Newland Road Sunburst Drive

Garden View Lane Filbert Street

Angel Drive (Newland Rd. to 290' south of Pearson Rd.) Green Oak Drive

Heavenly Place Starlight Court

Glen Drive Schmali Lane

Glen Way Princeton Way

Glen Circle Princeton Circle

Glen Park Place Pacific Drive

College Hill Drive Orchard Drive

Recreation Drive (to 400' north of Bushmann Rd.) Russell Drive

Paloma Drive Grinding Rock Road

Bella Vista Avenue Apple Avenue

Keith Road Pintail Court

Sierra Park Drive Ewald Court

Highland Lane McKale Road

Easy Street

Alleys

Town Hall Parking Lots

Fire Station Parking Lots

Memorial Trail Way

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