HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-82 Special Committee on Snow Removal A
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The October 13, 1982 meeting of the Special Committee on Snow Removal
was called to order by its Chairman.,Councilman Raymond Zielinski at 3:30 p.m.
in the Council informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Szymkowiak, Voorde,
Zielinski, and McGann, John Leszczynski, Sean Watt, William Penn, Capt. Tom
Gargis, Charles E. Dempsey, Sr. , Carolyn Pfotenhauer, Jerelyn O'Connor,
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand and Marchmont Kovas.
Councilman Zielinski stated that the purpose of the meeting was to
begin the review of the present snow removal procedures and ordinances,
and to evaluate whether any changes should be made. He then called upon
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand to update the Committee on her research.
The Council Attorney then passed out a memorandum to everyone present
which incorporated a summary of what eighteen other cities and towns are
doing in the area of snow removal. She noted that the special committee
on snow removal was originally appointed by Council President McGann on
February 17,1982. Then Councilman Richard Dombrowski requested that
information be gathered from other cities regarding their laws and procedures
pertaining to snow removal.
The Council Attorney stated that three primary areas were studied
when reviewing the material:
(1) procedures and laws regarding the removal of snow and ice
from sidewalks,
(2) procedures and laws regarding removal of snow and ice from
city streets and the various parking bans which may be
implemented, and
(3) the fines or ticketing procedures used
She then circulated various brochures which she had received which
highlighted snow removal operations in Minneapolis, Mn, St. Paul, Mn,
Sioux Falls, S.D. and Indianapolis, Indiana.
The present ordinance No. 6488-78 was passed by the Common Council
on October 23, 1978. It was the final work product of Patrick McMann, the
former director of Public Works. Earlier that year the Council had adopted
a similiar ordinance which was amended at the suggestion of the City
Administration.
The Council Attorney stressed the need to have similiar language
with regards to the following
(1) the names given to snow removal conditions
(2) the times for the ban of parking
(3) the odd-even parking ban.
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Special Committee of Snow Removal
In light of the fact that the City of Mishawaka had passed a snow removal
ordinance this July incorporating identical terminology with regards to
the names of snow removal conditions, similiar odd-even parking bans and
somewhat similiar time restrictions, she stressed the need for cooperation
between the two cities so that if any amendments are made that they would be
similiar in both cities so that the general public could readily understand
and relate to the snow removal procedures.
John Leszczynski then outlined the City Administration' s areas of
concern which included the following:
(1) equipment: to support needed purchases and to maintain
equipment in good working order,
(2). to lower the fine to $25. 00 plus the cost of towing,
(3) to change the wording of the three types of snow removal
conditions and
(4) to change the hours of the parking restrictions to be
7 days a week and from the hours of 9-9.
Councilman McGann also stressed the need for consistency and uniformity
of snow removal operations and the terminology used for them in the
Michiana broadcasting area. He felt that many persons were confused last
year because of the wide variance of times and terminology used for South Bend,
Mishawaka and Elkhart.
Councilman McGann also suggested that the City look into whether a
summary of the snow removal regulations could be included on the monthly
utility bills sent out by the City. He felt that this would be a good way
to inform the citizens of the procedures which will be in effect this winter.
This suggestion was well received by the Committee, and Mr. Leszczynski
stated that he would look into the matter and report back to the Committee.
Sean Watt upon questioning stated that with a snowfall between 6-7 inchE
it would take approximately 36 hours for the City to clean all streets,
if the public cooperated with regards to the parking bans. He felt that there
was a problem with the news media last year in communicating what regulations
were in effect. Mr. Watt further stated that he believed there was a need
to change the language of the snow removal conditions, and to change the times
of the parking bans. He further indicated that the sewer and water works
trucks are equipped with blades for the winter. He believed that the
garbage packers being single axle, are loaded as they can be and therefore
could not carry the additional weight of snow removal equipment. He felt
that the City with regards to equipment was in the best condition it had
ever been.
Capt. Tom GargiB. stated that he believed there was also a problem
with the new media last. year. He stated that there were several snow birds
that were always a problem after each snow fall last year. His department
and the Department of Code Enforcement is now in the process of identifying
cars that have not been removed for a substantial period of time. Tickets
are being issued. He stated that he will do all that is necessary to
cooperate with the snow removal operations and have uniform and consistent
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Page 3.
Special Committee of Snow Removal
enforcement and ticketing procedures. He also believed the amount of the
ticket was t :o high.
Mr. Dempsey then outlined his areas of concern; streets which had
not been plowed for up to two weeks at a time, the problem of multiple-moving
of cars by the residents which often resulted in the cars being parked out
of view of the owner, the need for smaller snow removal equipment for the
residential areas in light of the fact that snow was not removed at corners,
the need for consistent training of .the drivers of such equipment and
the overall need for better service.
Mr. Watt stated that much of the equipment is larger but that in his
opinion it was more efficient. He stated that there would be serious safety
factors involved if the wheels would be removed from the plows.
Mr. Dempsey also suggested that some sort of provision be used before
ticketing cars which belong to the elderly and the handicapped. Capt. Gargis
stated that his people could look for handicapped license plates or
handicapped parking stickers before ticketing, however there was a need for
uniformity in enforcement.
The Committee then examined the procedures pertaining to the removal
of snow and ice from sidewalks. Councilman McGann stated that several
complaints were received last year because school children were forced to
walk in the streets because sidewalks were impassable. Mrs. O'Connor and
Mrs. Pfotenhauer stated that. the City looks to areas which may be a safety
hazard and try to focus on them. They indicated that no tickets were
issued last year for violating sidewalk snow removal violations. The Council
Attorney suggested that the City begin a system which was used several years
ago where Notre Dame students volunteered to assist the elderly and handicapped
to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks. Mr. Leszczynski stated that he
would follow up on this suggestion as well as to contact Real Services.
Councilman Szymkowiak also saw an need for better enforcement pertaining to
sidewalks around schools. He hoped that there would be better cooperation
in removing snow from streets especially around churches and synagogues
when there are funerals in the winter and for their services.
Councilman Voorde also expressed concern about the information being
relayed within the broadcasting area and questioned the parking bans.
The Committee also discussed the need to improve the removal of snow
from fire hydrants. The Mishawaka ordinance and the Fort Wayne regulation
outlined in the Council Attorney' s memorandum may prove helpful in these
areas.
Councilman Zielinski then summarized the meeting and requested that
the following material be sent to him and the Council Attorney prior to
the next meeting:
(1) Information regarding the number of $50.°G iticket . issued
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Special Committee of Snow Removal
last snow season, the amount of revenue which was received
from such tickets, the amount of tickets which were contested
in court and a summary of their result, and
(2) That Various recommendations with regards to suggested
ordinance changes be prepared.
Councilman Zielinski also requested that Sean Watt bring a map so that
he can outline the snow routes and the procedure used by the City once
the snow routes have been cleared.
There being no further business to come before the Committee,Councilman
Harris made a motion seconded by Councilman McGann that the meeting be
adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 4 :50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Raymond Zielinski, Chairman
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�` October -11, 1982
LEWIS A.McGANN -
President
BEVERLY D.CRONE
Vice-President TO: COUNCILMAN RAYMOND ZIELINSKI, Chairman.
JOHN VOORDE Special Committee on Snow Removal • -
Chairman.
Committee of the Whole
FROM: KATHLEEN CEKANSKI-FARRAND
JOSEPH T.SERGE`
First District
RE: SNOW REMOVAL ORDINANCES
WALTER M.SZYMKOWIAK
Second District
BEVERUE J.BECK 1) BACKGROUND .
Third District -
LEWISA.McGANN On February 17, 1982, a special committee of the Common
Fourth District Council was appointed to study "snow ordinances that relate to
ROBERT G.TAYLOR Fafh District parking." A copy of that letter is attached.
A S.xth DD C.ZIELINSKI
On February 22nd, the Mayor sent a letter to the Council
BEVERLY D.CRONE President, indicating the persons serving on an existing
At Large internal committee (letter attached) .
JOHN J.HARRIS,Jr.
At Large The Special Council Committee presently has the follow-
JOHN E
Large
At Large ing members: Councilmen Szymkowiak, I McGann,Voorde McGann Harris,
KATHLEEN CEKANSKI-FARRAND and Zielinski, and Charles E. Dempsey, St. as a citizen member
Council Attorney
Noitce of the meeting set for October 13, 1982, at 3:30
p.m. has been sent to these people as well as the rest of the
Council, all members of the Administration' s Interal
Committee, and the News Media.
On April 8, 1982, a letter was sent by then Councilman
Dombrowski to the following cities: Indianapolis, Mishawaka,
St. Paul, Minn; Gary, Portland, Maine;Souix Falls, S.D. ; Chica
Il; Des Moines, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minn; Valparaiso,
Richester, Fort Wayne, Elkhart, East Chicago, Kokomo, LaPorte,
and IACT. '
The letter specifically requested copies of laws they
have in effect including regulations pertaining to parking
and sidewalk s during snow removal conditions, and comments
from the person in charge of their snow operations.
To date, we have received material from 18 cities. I
have summarized much of this material in the attached
documentation for your Committee' s review
2) SOUTH BEND' S PRESENT- .ORDINANCES
A. Removal of Snow and Ice from Sidewalks
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Sections 18-7 and 18-8, passed in 1962, addresses. the
removal of snow and ice from sidewalks. These sections read
Page 2• ti
Raymond Zielinski, Chairman
as follows:
Sec. 18-7.' Removal ' of .Snow and Ice from Sidwalk; Owner' sf{A
j 14
Responsibility.
premises abutting or Y
Every owner, lessee, or. accupant of any spre is es abutting
or <
bordering upon any street in the City, .
and ice from the sidewalk in
cause to be removed, all snow, paved width of the sidewalk
front of such premises to the full p
within twenty-four (24) hours after such snow or ice has .
falledn or accumulated thereon.
Sec. 18-8. Removal of Snow and Ice; Failure to Remove. ` '
In the event of the fabeuremoved,esnoweandliceefromrsidewalks wF.Y
to remove or cause to period of time �
as required in Sectio181�'7thelgoard the
of Public Works and
specified in Section
Safety may remove or clean such snow or ice or cause it to
be removed or cleaned.
There have been no changes to these two Sections since 1962.
B. Snow Route Ordinance. ,
The present snow route ordinance can hbe found inoSe nd
ctio21-101
through 21.105 of the Municipal Code of Cf df
y
These sections were included in Ordinance No. 6488-78 which)was
1978. (Copy
passed by the Common Council on October 23, ti
There is a substantial amount of history pertaining to the present worked ordinance.You may recall that Councilman Kopezynski had initially r ,
Councilman Horvath of =t �
on a bill in this area. Bills were also filed by Councilman Bill passed in
the Council' s Public romiseCversioneof Basically
Bills under
early 1978 was a compromise
consideration.
n
The present law, Ord. No. 6488-78 was presented to the Council by
Patrick McMahon, then Director of Public Works. The
eBBill)was to _H ,
Pa 1
"clarify" the Snow Route Ordinance by addressing three
Disaster" .areas:copy = .
"Snow Residential Emergency,
Snow Emergency, i.
of the minutes of the public hearing are attached. '
3) SUMMARY
I have attached a brief resonding
I have also incorporated copies o
this information will prove both informative and beneficial when
reviewing South Bend' s snow removalpperations.
c?
Some items of particular interest which may warrant possible
inclusion into the South Bend ordinance would include: ,,,
Page 3. e
Raymond Zielinski, Chairman
A. considering the Fort Wayne regulation that snow cannot be
deposited within five (5) feet of a fire hydrant.
B. considering Mishawaka' s language with regards to removal of
snow by a third party and removal around fire hydrants.
C. considering Minneapolis' regulation that snow emergencies
always begin at 9:00 p.m. so that the public knows exactly
when such regulations begin.
D. considering St. Paul, Mn' s regulation that snow and ice removal
be a condition of licensing businesses and
E. considering the incorporation of various brochures for improved
public relations and understanding of snow removal operations.
I would be happy to discuss this matter with you further. Thank you.
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