(A) The city shall repair or reimburse a property owner for a damaged or destroyed mailbox if the damage results from the city plowing, winging, or blowing snow beyond the curb of the street, if all the following is established:
(1) The mailbox was damaged by city employees in the above manner while the city was in the process of snow removal and any part of snow removal equipment makes direct contact with the mailbox;
(2) The mailbox was, before the damage occurred, legally situated so that no part of the mailbox extended over the curb;
(3) The mailbox belongs to the property owner making the claim;
(4) The property owner did not in any way contribute to such damage;
(5) The alleged damage to the mailbox occurred within three days of the claim being made to City Hall; and
(6) All mailboxes must be located in compliance with M.S. § 169.072, Minn. Rule 8818, and U.S. Postal Service specifications.
(B) At the mailbox owner's request, the city will replace the mailbox with a comparable mailbox and replace the support post as necessary with a standard four inch by four inch, decay-resistant wood support post. Alternatively, the city will reimburse the mailbox owner for the replacement of an equivalent mailbox and post to what was there prior to the damage. Receipts for approved claims must be turned into City Hall within six months of the claim being submitted. Effective with the date of this section, reimbursement expenses shall not exceed: $75 for a single mailbox; $150 for a two-three mailbox group on a single structure; and $225 for four or more mailboxes grouped on a single structure, for approved claims.
(C) The property owner who claims the above described damage to the owner's mailbox shall file with the City Hall a written claim setting forth: the description of the damage; the address of the property where the mailbox was located; the date the alleged damage occurred to the mailbox; the manner in which the said damage occurred; the cost of repair or replacement actually expended along with a receipt showing payment. The Street Superintendent or Assistant Street Superintendent shall investigate the claim and report to the City Administrator whether the damage claim is an appropriate claim to be reimbursed and the amount to be paid, if any.
(D) Claims resulting from snow being pushed against the mailbox or other indirect contact from snow removal equipment are not eligible for repair by the city or reimbursement to the property owner.
(Ord. 100, passed 6-4-2019)