The city of Manhattan is preparing for snow-clearing this winter through cooperation with Riley County, Pottawatomie County and USD 383.

Director of Public Works Brian Johnson told city commissioners during a work session Tuesday that some roads are designated as a coop, meaning that while a road belongs to and is typically maintained by one entity, another maintains it for snow and ice removal.

Maps detailing what entities maintain different roads in Manhattan can be found on the city’s website. They also show what roads are designated as primary or residential.

“We do plow all primaries curb to curb,” Johnson said. “Residentials, when we do plow, we only plow one blade width in and one blade width out, so it’s about 18 to 20 feet.”

Johnson said the portion of Anderson Avenue from the Lee school area to Connecticut Avenue will be closed at the onset of a winter weather event and will be reopened after snow is cleared.

Between the Street Division, Stormwater Division, Fleet Division, Parks and Recreation and Parking Services, around 40 people will be out driving equipment during snow removal.

While workers make an effort to avoid damaging property, Johnson said some damaged mailboxes are expected when clearing winter weather. This year the city is implementing door knocker notices, which contain information on how to file a claim in the event a mailbox or parked car is damaged by a snowplow.

Johnson said this method is an improvement over hoping someone answers the door, especially when clearing is happening late at night.

“When we do hit a mailbox, we will take this door hanger, we’ll put it on the front door,” he said. “It’s got the information, date and time, vehicle, number, vehicle or type of damage. So the supervisor has a copy of the report, the homeowner has a copy of the report. Hopefully those two come together quickly and we can get a report to our claims adjusters. On the back of that notice, we’re going to have a QR code so you can go ahead and take your phone, log right onto the claim system, fill out the claim and submit it.”