When the weather and conditions make it necessary for snow removal procedures to be implemented the City of Algona will issue a Snow Emergency.  This notice will be announced on KLGA, the City of Algona website, the City of Algona Facebook page, the Algona Police Department Facebook page and the ALERT IOWA emergency notification system.  The intention of the Snow Emergency is to keep the streets and alleys free and clear of vehicles that are normally parked there so snow removal can take place.

Many things determine when the snow plows are sent out: the rate of snowfall per hour; the moisture content of the snow; the ambient temperature of the air; the temperature of the pavement; the wind direction and velocity; the time of day; and the forecast of the predicted snowfall. Unless extenuating circumstances make it inadvisable to do so, snowplows are activated when two (2) or more inches of snow have fallen on the ground. Salt/sand trucks may go out sooner to ensure that main roads and intersections are safe for travel prior to the snow event’s completion.

Per state law, it is the home owner’s responsibility for upkeep of the sidewalk. Contact City Hall or visit the website for proper repair procedures and requirements.

Per City ordinance, it is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain the tree. The city ordinance states that limbs overhanging the roadway must be 15 ft. above the street or 2 ft. behind the curb, and 8 ft. above the sidewalk.

If the right-of-way tree is dead and/or diseased then the City of Algona pays for the removal of this tree. Contact City Hall to schedule a time to view such trees and staff will determine the proper course of action to be taken.

If your mailbox is damaged by a plow the City will repair or replace it with a standard metal mailbox and treated post.  Call 515-295-2411 to report a damaged box. Residents are responsible for replacing mailboxes that are knocked down by snow due to a pre-existing state of disrepair or deterioration. Custom mailboxes are placed in the public right of way at the property owner’s own risk; repair or replacement will be with a standard metal mailbox and treated post.

The Street Department has five (5) employees and are responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and repairing approximately 60 lane miles of roadway and right-of-way, replacing and repairing all signs in the right of way, performing snow removal on all city streets, alleys, and public parking lots, removing tree’s on city property and right-of-way, operating and maintaining all excavation and road maintenance equipment, reviewing and commenting on construction site plans submitted to the city, and doing concrete and asphalt paving repair on city property. This list just scratches the surface of the day to day situations that may occur.

Call City Hall during normal business hours to report an issue and staff will respond accordingly.

For a resident this can be quite annoying, but unfortunately it cannot be helped. Snowplow drivers do not intentionally fill driveways. When plowing a street, the excess snow accumulates along the curbside, gaps such as an open driveway will inevitably be filled with new snow during this process. Waiting to shovel until the end of the snowstorm will help minimize the need for repeated shoveling. When you shovel, do not push the snow into the street. The practice of depositing snow from driveways and sidewalks into the street is prohibited by City Ordinance.

The City will remove dead animals from the streets and right-of-ways.  Contact the Street Department at 515-295-2411.