(A) Snow emergencies and snow removal.
(1) Adoption of snow plan. The city snow removal management plan (hereinafter "the snow plan"), as may be amended from time to time by the City Council, including the definitions set forth therein, is incorporated by reference herein.
(2) Classification of streets. For purposes of this section, all streets in the city shall be classified into five categories: state-maintained routes, snow emergency routes, secondary streets, tertiary streets, and private streets. Snow emergency routes, secondary streets and tertiary streets may be further classified as dedicated and not-dedicated. The map set forth in the snow plan shall be the official record of street designations.
(3) Snow emergency. A SNOW EMERGENCY is defined to be the period of time before, during and after a snowfall when vehicular traffic is expected to be particularly hazardous or congested due to the elements and when the parking of vehicles on the public streets would hinder, delay, interfere with or obstruct the movement of traffic and the proper cleaning, clearing and removal of snow and ice from the public streets within the city.
(4) Declaration of snow emergency. A snow emergency will be declared by executive order issued by the Mayor of the city when, based on reasonable judgment and discretion, the circumstances warrant the declaration of such emergency for the public safety in the city. The executive order will be filed in the office of the City Clerk and promptly communicated to local radio stations, news services and social media either during or after a snowfall. A declared snow emergency will begin upon issuance of the executive order and will continue in effect unit the Mayor of the city terminates the snow emergency upon a determination that the snow emergency conditions no longer exist. The termination of the declared snow emergency will be filed in the office of the City Clerk and communicated to the same media which were used to announce its declaration.
(5) Parking restrictions.
(a) Parking prohibited during snow emergency. During a declared snow emergency, no person shall park any vehicle, trailer, storage container or equipment upon a street designated as an emergency snow route.
(b) Disabled, abandoned, or parked vehicles during a snow event. During any snow event, no person shall permit a vehicle, whether operational or disabled, to remain on the any portion of a city street. This probation shall not apply to any person who is actively attempting to remove the vehicle from the traveled portion of the street.
(6) Snow removal on private streets. The city shall not provide snow removal services on private streets, driveways, and including residential streets that were not intended to be dedicated to the city for maintenance.
(7) Placement of snow on streets and sidewalks. It shall be unlawful for any person to place snow on any portion of a traveled street, alley, sidewalk or driveway constructed as a continuation of a sidewalk.
(8) Snow windrows. The creation of snow windrows in front of residential driveways and private street entrances is an inevitable result of snow plowing. Occupants of property shall be responsible for clearing snow windrows at the foot of their driveways. Owners or persons responsible for the maintenance of private property shall be responsible for clearing snow windrows at the entrance to the public street. It shall be unlawful for any person to displace snow from windrows onto a city street or sidewalk.
(B) Penalties.
(1) The Police Department shall have the right to remove any vehicle, truck, trailer, storage container or equipment in violation of division (A)(3) of this section, or to engage a towing service to do so, at the expense of the owner or operator. In lieu of removal, the Police Department may issue a parking citation for improper parking.
(2) In the event a person violates divisions (A)(7) and (8) of this section, the violation shall result in a $25 fine.
(3) Nothing herein shall prevent and officer, in his or her discretion, from issuing a warning in lieu of citation for a first offense.
(Ord. 22-06, passed 10-17-2022)