(A) Name. This section shall be known as the Snow Emergency Ordinance for the city and shall apply to all streets, roads, highways, alleys and rights-of-way maintained by the City Street Department (“Streets”).
(B) Declaration of snow emergency.
(1) The Mayor of the city, after consultation with the Chief of Police, the Street Superintendent, the department head of an established emergency management department, or the respective representative designated by each as the person to consult in his or her absence for the purpose of recommending a snow emergency declaration, may declare a snow emergency by executive order when, in the Mayor's judgment, such order would be in the best interest of the public safety and welfare of the residents of the city. In the event the Mayor is unavailable, then the acting President of the Common Council may declare a snow emergency upon consultation as directed hereinabove.
(2) The Mayor or presiding official or their designees who declare a snow emergency shall designate whether it is a Level 1 Snow Emergency or a Level 2 Snow Emergency based upon the criteria set forth in division (C). Such emergency shall continue in effect until the above mentioned official or his or her respective designee who declared the emergency thereafter determine an emergency no longer exists and terminates the emergency order.
(C) Snow emergency levels. A snow emergency declaration pursuant to this section shall designate one of two emergency levels in order to keep the residents of the city informed of the weather and city street conditions and to assist the City Street Department in the clearing of the city streets by eliminating stranded vehicles.
(1) Level 1 Snow Emergency. A Level 1 Snow Emergency may be declared when streets have become snow covered and are drifting shut. When a Level 1 Snow Emergency is declared, the general public should travel only when absolutely necessary; persons having vehicles stranded are required to move them so as not to impede the flow of traffic or the snow removal operations and stranded vehicles will be removed at the owner's expense; and city agencies will not be directed to close. When a Level 1 Snow Emergency is declared, members of the public will be encouraged to contact their employer concerning policy rather than contacting the Police Department and will be advised to listen to the media for situation upgrades.
(2) Level 2 Snow Emergency. A Level 2 Snow Emergency may be declared when streets are significantly snow covered, if not impassable, and more significant restrictions on use of the streets by members of the public are appropriate. When a Level 2 Snow Emergency is declared as provided in this section, all motor vehicle travel on streets is prohibited; and motorists shall travel at their own risk and shall be deemed in violation of this section if they block or impede the travel of any vehicle on a street, including any blockage or impediment caused by a stuck, stalled or abandoned vehicle.
(D) Publication and broadcast. Publication and broadcast of a Level 1 and Level 2 Snow Emergency declaration order shall be made or caused to be made by the Mayor or other officials designating the level of the snow emergency by issuing a press release to all area law enforcement agencies, fire departments, hospitals and news media. The declaration shall be filed with the County Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Management Agency, and the City Clerk-Treasurer.
(E) Exempt vehicles. Those vehicles exempt from this section shall include medical assistance, law enforcement, fire department, emergency management, public utility, and fuel hauling vehicles, and employees of any of the above exempt services, if engaged in performing their respective duties. Any other vehicles violating this section are subject to removal by towing or other means at the expense of the owner of the vehicle, when such towing and/or removal is deemed necessary by any one or more of the following: the Street Department, the Police Department, the State Conservation Officer, or the State Police.
(1980 Code, § 72.18) (Ord. 671, passed 10-5-1976; Am. Ord. 758, passed 10-12-1982; Am. Ord. 2002-6, passed 4-8-2002) Penalty, see § 71.99