City services
City Hall is closed, effective at 1 p.m. today (Dec. 22). Offices will reopen after the Christmas holiday, on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
Sanitation trucks are running as scheduled. Delays may occur, but trash will be collected as crews and equipment are able.
Public Works Department crews have been treating bridges, roads, and intersections since 5 a.m. today (Thursday) and began plowing main arterial streets around noon due to snowdrifts. Crews will work around the clock to clear these areas, in accordance to the City’s Snow and Ice Removal Policy, for as long as needed.
Bartlesville Public Library is closed, effective at 1 p.m. today.
There will be no municipal court, which is held inside City Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 22, Dec. 27, or Dec. 29. Court will resume as regularly scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
CityRide is operating based on availability. Longer wait times should be expected.
Additional information
Snow and/or ice event protocol
During snow and/or ice events, the Public Works Department applies a sand and salt mixture to city streets where needed, in accordance with the City’s Snow Removal Policy.
Priority is given to streets in the following order:
- Major arterial streets
- Collector streets
- Residential streets
The Public Works Department currently has seven trucks capable of snow plowing and sanding. These trucks are prepped by City staff well in advance — typically in November — for the upcoming season to ensure they are serviced and all equipment is in working order.
Some equipment, such as spreader boxes and snowplows, are detachable; therefore, these pieces of equipment remain detached so the trucks can be used for other work when the additional equipment is not needed.
The number of trucks and the equipment used during an event depends on the amount of accumulation. When minor accumulation is forecast, the trucks are equipped with sand boxes but not snow plows, as the plows can be dangerous to have on the truck, if not needed, and only take about 10 minutes to attach if they are needed.
A minimum of two trucks are equipped and used during no or light accumulation. During major events, when significant accumulation is forecast, all seven trucks are utilized.
One staff member is on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week. During snow and/or ice events, the on-call staff member will determine how much additional assistance will be needed based on the severity of the event and call out other staff accordingly. During major events, crews will work 12-hour shifts for as long as needed.
Snow and Ice Removal Police
- Snow is plowed only on major streets.
- Snow will not be plowed on residential streets.
- It will be the responsibility of the property owner to clear their driveways and sidewalks.
- Snow removed from driveways, sidewalks, or parking areas shall not be placed in the street.
- An attempt will be made to follow set priorities, however, due to blowing or drifting snow, some streets must be plowed repeatedly to control drifting snow.
- In removing snow from the streets, it cannot be expected that all the snow will be removed down to bare pavement. What snow or ice remains will be salted or a salt/sand mixture applied to improve traction.
- CMA may be applied to dry road surfaces in anticipation of snow or ice to help facilitate in keeping the snow or ice from adhering to the roadway surface. It may be applied later to help keep the precipitation from freezing solid.
- Due to the intensity of the storm or the time of day that the storm arrives set priorities may be changed with prior approval of the City Manager, Public Works Director, or his designated representative.
The policy may be viewed in its entirety at Snow and Ice Removal Policy.
Warming shelters
To help those without shelter keep warm during the weather event, volunteer warming centers will be open Wednesday through Sunday. (Note: The following warming shelters are sponsored and operated by local volunteer groups, not the City of Bartlesville.)
- Home for the Night Emergency Shelter, located in the Disciples Christian Church, 5800 Douglas Lane, will open at noon on Wednesday. Sign up to help here.
- Warm Up Bartlesville Shelter, located in the former NIPER Building, 219 N. Virginia Ave., will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Sign up to help here.