After receiving about four inches of snow Jan. 20, the Dell Rapids community had its first run of the new snow removal policies.

On that day, at least 13 parking tickets were issued. The city of Sioux Falls issued 833 tickets, as well as 45 tows, during the snow.

Dell Rapids city administrator Justin Weiland said that the smaller forecast made the four-plus inches a surprise to the Public Works Department.

“We were not expecting that amount,” he said of the conditions, which included heavy snow yet at 6 a.m. “It goes to show that weather is unpredictable. There’s definitely a learning curve for the city with this new policy.”

An emergency snow removal alert was officially declared to the public at 8 a.m., but according to the ordinance, an alert is automatically in effect once three or more inches of snow have fallen.

“It makes it more efficient for our vehicles to clear the streets, more effectively and in a timely manner,” Weiland said.

The alert remains in effect until streets have been cleaned curb-to-curb, after which vehicles are permitted to be parked on said streets.

Once plowing begins, the “emergency snow routes” will be plowed first. In addition, the city parking lot, as well as the schools, when classes are in session, or the churches, on Sundays, will be priorities for plowing.

Ticketing may begin as soon as plowing begins. Weiland said that in this case, officers from the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department made an effort to avoid ticketing those parked in violation of the alert.

“They did make attempts on several occasions to locate the owner.”