(a) “Snow emergency” means a period of time declared by the Manager, or designee, when in the judgment of the Manager, or their duly appointed designee, hazardous conditions caused by the accumulation or potential accumulation of snow, ice, or sleet on Municipal roads or other public ways have developed or appear likely to develop, to the extent that it is impairing or may impair the safe movement of vehicular traffic within the Municipality. Special parking restrictions become effective when these weather conditions exist and a snow emergency is declared. The snow emergency shall exist from the time it is formally announced until the time it is formally canceled.
(b) Whenever a snow emergency is declared, the Manager, or designee, shall request the local news media to announce the snow emergency and the time of the declaration, and notice of declaration shall be provided through Warren County Communications Center. Owners and operators of motor vehicles shall be deemed to have notice of the snow emergency two hours after the official announcement and are then subject to the prohibitions of this section. Cancellation shall be affected in the same manner. A snow emergency shall become automatic without a formal declaration of such emergency whenever the accumulation reaches a depth of two inches and prospects exist for additional accumulation. A snow emergency is automatically declared without a formal declaration of such emergency whenever the accumulation reaches a depth of two inches and prospects exist for additional accumulation.
(c) Under such conditions, every attempt shall be made to post temporary "no parking" or "snow street" signs.
(d) Whenever a snow emergency is in effect, no person shall park, abandon, or leave unattended any motor vehicle on a public street in the Municipality.
(e) Although the Municipality will make every effort to inform the public of the existence or probable development of weather conditions requiring removal of parked or standing motor vehicles from snow streets, the owners or operators of motor vehicles shall have full responsibility to determine probable or existing weather conditions and to remove parked or standing motor vehicles as required by this regulation.
(f) Any motor vehicle found standing or parked on a snow street during a snow emergency shall, after elapse of time stipulated in division (b) of this section be in violation of this regulation, and the Manager, Public Works Director, and their designees, or any uniformed officer of the Police Division, are empowered to forthwith remove or cause to be removed such vehicle for impoundment. Any costs incurred in such impoundment shall be paid by the owner or operator of such vehicle directly to the person, firm, or governmental unit towing and/or storing such vehicle, such costs to be in addition to any fines or penalties which may be imposed upon the owner or operator of such vehicle. The owner or operator of a motor vehicle found in violation of the prohibitions of this section shall be deemed to have committed a minor misdemeanor parking infraction.
(g) The Manager shall have the authority to waive these regulations for good cause. “Good cause” shall include, but not be limited to, lack of driveway, needed emergency repairs that prevent the relocation of the vehicle, or owner of vehicle is out of town during the snow event. The Manager shall make the final determination regarding the waiver on a case by case basis. However, nothing herein shall require the Manager to waive these regulations.
(Ord. 34-08. Passed 12-9-08.)