(a) The purpose of this section is to describe the conditions of a "snow emergency" and the steps taken by the City of Charles Town to minimize the impact on the community by the extreme weather conditions.
(b) Snow emergency conditions are in effect anytime the weather forecast indicates a snowfall in excess of four (4) inches or when the City Manager and the Chief of Police concur that a snow or ice emergency exists.
(c) Every effort will be made to notify citizens that a snow emergency exists. Citizens will be notified in the following manner:
(1) A notice of the emergency will be posted on the front door of City Hall and on the front door of the police station.
(2) Jefferson County Communications will be notified and asked to advise any citizens that call in that a snow emergency condition exists in the City of Charles Town.
(3) The Police Department and the City website will have a posting to indicate a snow emergency exists.
(4) When possible local radio stations will also be advised that a snow emergency exists within the City of Charles Town.
(d) Once snow emergency conditions are in effect, they shall remain in effect until terminated by the City Manager and/or the Chief of Police. Citizens will be notified of the termination of a snow emergency in the following manner:
(1) A notice will be posted on the front door of City Hall and the police station indicating the emergency conditions have been lifted.
(2) The Police Department and the City website will have a posting to indicate the emergency conditions have been lifted.
(3) When possible, local radio stations will also be advised that snow emergency conditions have been lifted.
(e) Certain roadways within the city are designated "snow emergency routes" or "snow priority routes."
(1) Snow emergency routes are roadways that will be posted with appropriate parking restrictions for a snow emergency. Parking restrictions may vary on snow emergency routes. Vehicles in violation of these restrictions may be towed. Snow emergency routes are further defined as follows:
A. East and West Washington Streets. (Between Seminary Street and West Street)
B. North and South George Streets (Between the Border of Ranson to Academy Street)
C. 100 and 200 block of North Charles Street
D. 100 and 200 block of West North Street
E. Crosswinds Drive
F. Northwinds Drive.
(2) Snow priority routes are designated roadways within the city that will be plowed on a priority basis by emergency crews. Snow priority routes are cleared so they can provide a network system for the delivery of emergency services during a snow emergency event. Snow priority routes shall be designated by the City Manager and Chief of Police.
(f) Members of the Police Department are hereby authorized to take appropriate enforcement action during snow emergency conditions when:
(1) A vehicle is parked on a part of a snow emergency route on which a parking prohibition is in effect;
(2) A vehicle is stalled on a part of a snow emergency route on which there is a covering of snow, sleet or ice or on which there is a parking prohibition in effect and the person who is operating the vehicle is not present;
(3) A vehicle is parked in violation of any parking ordinance or provisions of the law and is interfering or about to interfere with snow removal operations.
(g) On any street designated as a snow emergency route, the City of Charles Town shall post a sign at the beginning of each block of the snow emergency route and contain specific instructions regarding parking and towing. These signs shall be distinctive and uniform in appearance and plainly visible from the street or highway. Snow emergency route signs will be marked as follows:
(1) East and West Washington Street. "Snow and Ice Emergency Route, No Parking Tow Away Zone During Emergency "
(2) North and South George Street. "Snow and Ice Emergency Route, No Parking Tow Away Zone During Emergency"
(3) 100 and 200 Block of North Charles Street. "Snow and Ice Emergency Route, No Parking Tow Away Zone During Emergency"
(4) 100 and 200 Block of West North Street. "Snow and Ice Emergency Route, No Parking Tow Away Zone During Emergency"
(5) Crosswinds Drive. "Snow and Ice Emergency Route, No Parking Tow Away Zone During Emergency"
(6) Northwinds Drive. "Snow and Ice Emergency Route, No Parking Tow Away Zone During Emergency."
(h) Officers will follow all Charles Town Police Department internal regulations regarding the towing and removal of vehicles. All towed vehicles will be have a traffic citation affixed to it at the time of towing. Tow sheets and patrol logs will reflect the violation, the business towing the vehicle and the approximate time the vehicle was removed.
(i) Any person violating any provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and fined a minimum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each offense.
(Passed 7-6-10.)