snow removal

A committee discussion flagged potential future changes to sidewalk snow-shoveling rules and snow-plowing practices as topics for possible future agenda action.

The same discussion also referenced a resident raising bike accommodations on 22nd Street near the bridge at a City Council meeting, alongside the snow-related topics.

Staff told the committee the sidewalk snow shoveling policy/ordinance topic was reintroduced with the city attorneys, but the committee was still waiting for clarification and direction.

Staff said the city attorneys advised that changing all ordinance language would run contrary to state statute and recommended against that approach; an alternative mentioned was charging a fee per foot of sidewalk cleared (around $1.00).

The committee reviewed how Public Works prioritizes snow plowing by storm size, including brining routes pre-storm and focusing on primary roads first in smaller events.

Staff said Public Works is trying to round corners more to reduce snow buildup at intersections.

A committee reviewed attorney-proposed edits to the city’s sidewalk snow/ice rule, including clearer timing language for when sidewalks must be cleared after a snow event.

The proposed edits expand who can require sidewalk clearing to include the city manager, public works director, city engineer, or public works staff/designees.

The proposed edits would make enforcement less dependent on resident complaints by allowing more proactive enforcement when crews notice problems.

The proposal describes charging property owners per linear foot for city-performed clearing, with possible add-on charges and extra penalties for repeat violations.

The committee voted to forward the proposed changes to the City Council.

City Council passed Ordinance 25-227 amending Municipal Code Section 4-1-6 on snow and ice removal, approving a shift to a “reasonable timeframe” for clearing sidewalks and corner ramps that is presumed to be within 24 hours after snow stops falling.

The ordinance strengthens the city’s ability to recover costs when the city clears a sidewalk itself, including staff time, and adds escalating penalties for repeat violations.

The ordinance authorizes additional city staff beyond Public Works to enforce the snow-and-ice clearing rules.

Council approved the ordinance on an 8-0 vote.

Snow removal appeared in the City Council agenda under Council Communications.

In a 2026 budget discussion, staff described a “challenging” budget with potential service-level impacts including overtime reductions, fewer part-time hours supporting plowing and leaf collection, and ending the Snow Watch program in 2026; staff also warned of reduced funding for concrete/asphalt patching and winter supplies (salt/sand) and said close monitoring would be needed to avoid surprises.

The committee discussed confusion about how the 24-hour sidewalk clearing requirement applies during consecutive snow events (whether the clock restarts, extends, or results in stacked violations).

Staff described that sidewalk snow complaints are logged and forwarded to DPW, and noted DPW does not have immediate resources to chase sidewalk complaints during heavy operations.

Staff discussed staffing and equipment constraints for plowing, including that a full plow ideally needs 12 staff (or 14 with windrow cleanup), the city completed a Sunday plow with eight people, and a key loader broke down with a possible $50,000 engine replacement.

City Council discussed a draft overhaul of the City’s schedule of fees and fines, including a proposed shift to percentage-based building permit fees that would increase costs for new construction and large commercial projects; council members asked staff for alternative fee structures and directed staff to return with multiple revised options for the Dec. 1 meeting.

In a winter season update, staff reported the city had about 500 tons of salt on hand (slightly under half of the annual amount) and still needed to take delivery of 100 tons as part of the spring order, with an option for another 100 tons if needed.

Staff reported salt brine prices dropped to about $1.18 per delivered gallon this winter compared with last winter’s spike.

Staff reported the city logged 91 private sidewalk complaints so far this season, including repeat locations, describing it as an ongoing enforcement and safety issue.

An agenda item titled “Sidewalk Snow Clearing Invoice Consideration - 2203 12th Street” was listed.

A Public Works Committee agenda included an item titled “Snow Storm Update.”

A Public Works Committee agenda included an item titled “Sidewalk Shoveling” with subtopics “3/15-16/26 Event” and “Appeal Request.”

A Public Works Committee agenda included an item titled “Plowing Change Request - Mishicot Road.”