The leaves will be falling soon, and behind that snow. To that end, the St. Paul Public Works Department is taking a survey to get feedback that will be used to better serve residents to improve its winter road maintenance and snow emergency procedures.

Specifically the department is asking residents for their expectations concerning winter street maintenance and snow emergencies and how satisfied residents have been with those services in the past.

Surveys are being mailed to randomly selected residents. A version of the survey is also on line.

The city has enlisted the services of QEM, Inc. to ask residents "what should be done" when the city declares a snow emergency. The Public Works Department declares a 'Snow Emergency' after snowfalls of 3 inches or more, or after an accumulation of 3 inches or more from several snowfalls.