12-13-10 Council Agenda & Packet

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Snow and ice Removal Ordinance Cover Letter -page 2 need for improved regulations, and helping to coordinate with the city a volunteer student program to assist those who have a hardship due to a disability. Currently South Bend has regulations which assist those who have physically disabled persons issued Disabled Veteran Registration Plates, Special Registration Plates, and State of Indiana Handicapped Parking Permits for mobility handicapped parking. The proposed ordinance would compliment those regulations by providing limited hardship exceptions which would trigger the volunteer program into action. Draft versions of the proposed regulations were shared earlier this year with the City Administration for their review and comment. The proposed ordinance would authorize an ordinance citation to be issued to any property owner or occupant of a building who has a sidewalk with abuts or is adjacent to their property who fails to remove any snow or ice within 24 hours after the it has accumulated. Persons violating the regulations would be subject to a fine of $15 for the I"violation with $25 penalties for all violations occurring thereafter. It also maintains the current provisions which authorize the city to remove accumulated snow /ice after a citation has been issued in limited situations with the violator being required to pay for the costs incurred to remove the ice and snow. The ordinance also updates the Schedule of Ordinance and Code Violations Chart in the South Bend Municipal Code. It provides for a monthly update on matters referred to the Legal Department on their collection efforts on ordinance citations referred for legal action. This would provide greater accountability and transparency. We believe that these proposed amendments will assist the city having safer public sidewalks. Thank you. Since ely, Member Ann ZeIlo, Vice - Chairperson Health and Public Safety Committee Council Member Thomas LaFountain, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee Council Memb r Community/Campus Ad i ory Coalition C azrperson Attachment