Functions

The mission of the Public Works Department is to provide for the effective and efficient design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the city's infrastructure. In pursuit of this mission, the Public Works Department is organized into several divisions. These divisions work together to coordinate services and to achieve the following objectives:

• To clean, repair, clear snow and ice from, and maintain the municipal street, alley, and sidewalk systems
• To provide convenient, well-maintained parking facilities in the downtown area
• To provide quality maintenance and repair to prolong the life of city equipment
• To provide quality municipal refuse and recycling collection services
• To provide and properly manage a yard waste compost site

Fund Support

The Public Works Department is supported by revenue from property taxes, engineering, and administrative fees, reimbursement for administration of enterprise funds, and state and county reimbursements for roadway maintenance. Municipal state aid funds are used to finance capital outlay purchases for the Public Works Department.

The Sanitation Division is supported by revenue from refuse and yard waste bag sales, a recycling pass-by fee, and other refuse / recycling system user fees. Property taxes are not used to support this division.

The downtown parking system is supported by revenue from parking meters, parking permits, and other parking system user fees. Property taxes are not used to support this division.

Winter Parking Restrictions

Winter parking restrictions go into effect November 1 each year and remain in effect until April 1.

If a snow emergency is declared and you are parked in violation of the ordinances, your vehicle can be towed to facilitate plowing. Snow emergencies will be announced on local radio stations and posted on the City of St. Cloud website and social media. To receive a notification when a snow emergency has been declared, please sign up under "Notify Me". The sign up for Snow Emergencies is listed under "Alert Center".

If you have questions, contact Parking Violations at (320) 255-7209 or you may view the information online.

Snow Emergency

The City of St. Cloud may declare a snow emergency if weather exists or has the potential to create hazardous road conditions because of snow, freezing rain, sleet, ice, snowdrifts, or blizzardlike conditions.
A snow emergency will exist for seventy-two (72) hours but may be terminated sooner if conditions permit.

Notices of snow emergencies shall be given to the local newspaper and radio stations and shall be posted on the City of St. Cloud webpage and social media.

During a snow emergency, parking regulations will be enforced and towing of illegally parked vehicles will commence. The cost and expense of towing and impounding are the responsibility of the vehicle owner.

Sidewalk Snow & Ice Removal

St. Cloud ordinance 680:05 requires property owners to clear public sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall. This is necessary to ensure the safety of people using the sidewalks during winter.

• Shovel sidewalks on all sides of your property, the full width of the sidewalk.
• Remove ice to bare pavement and treat with salt or sand, if needed.
• If you have corner property, clear curb cuts at corners and crosswalks to the street gutter to facilitate handicap accessibility.
• Pile snow into your yard and boulevard. It's against the law to shovel snow into streets and alleys.
• Make arrangements for someone to take over while you are away.