A. Purpose: The purpose of this section is to provide a system to declare and notify persons of snow emergencies and enforce the provisions for same. Without such provisions, cars remain parked on city streets, impairing effective plowing and snow removal. Consequently, potential hazards are created by unplowed snow and cars parking too far from the curb.
B. Parking Regulations During Snow Emergencies And Exemptions: The city manager or designee shall declare a snow emergency when the city manager or designee finds, on the basis of falling snow, sleet, freezing rain or on the basis of a forecast by the United States weather bureau or on the basis of any other weather service, that weather conditions will make it necessary for motor vehicle traffic to be expedited and for parking on certain city streets to be prohibited or restricted for snow plowing or other purposes. The following parking regulations shall be in effect during snow emergencies:
1. On all streets where parking is allowed on both sides, vehicles shall be parked on only the even street numbered side of the street on even days of the month after eight o'clock (8:00) A.M.
2. On all streets where parking is allowed on both sides, vehicles shall be parked on only the odd street numbered side of the street on odd days of the month after eight o'clock (8:00) A.M.
3. On all streets where parking is allowed on only one side, vehicles shall be parked on only the even street numbered side of the street on even days of the month after eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and shall be parked on only the odd street numbered side of the street on odd days of the month after eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. No parking shall be permitted on the side of the street where parking is prohibited.
4. All other posted parking regulations and prohibitions shall remain in effect. For example, on all streets where odd-even calendar parking or other restrictions are posted, those restrictions shall continue in force and effect notwithstanding subsections B1 and B2 of this section.
5. These regulations shall not apply to metered parking spaces, designated loading zones, and those streets located within the central business district, which, starting at the intersection of Burlington and Gilbert Streets, is bounded by Iowa Avenue to the north, Capitol Street to the west, Burlington Street to the south and Gilbert Street to the east, with the entirety of the right of way of said central business district included within this exemption.
C. Effective Time Of Snow Emergency: A snow emergency shall take effect not earlier than four (4) hours after it is declared, except if a snow emergency is declared after eight o'clock (8:00) P.M., it shall not take effect until eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. the next day, unless otherwise indicated in the declaration. A snow emergency shall be in force for a minimum of forty eight (48) hours after taking effect unless canceled or changed under subsection D of this section.
D. Declaration And Notice:
1. The city manager or designee shall declare a snow emergency by written signed notice, filed with the city clerk, stating the beginning and ending time for the period of snow emergency, which ending time shall be a minimum of forty eight (48) hours after taking effect. If the office of the city clerk is closed, the city manager or designee shall file such notice promptly when the office next is open during normal business hours.
2. The city manager or designee may cancel such declaration or change the beginning or ending time. Notice as provided in subsection D1 of this section shall be given for such cancellations or changes.
3. The city manager or designee shall inform the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area radio and television stations and the Iowa City newspapers of the snow emergency declaration and when the snow emergency parking regulations for Iowa City will be in effect and ask that public service announcements be made.
4. The public works director or designee shall post information concerning the snow emergency declaration, when the snow emergency parking regulations for Iowa City will be in effect and summarizing the regulations on the city website and shall post signs on all major highways and streets entering the city at or reasonably near the city limits, informing motorists that a snow emergency has been declared and alternate side parking is required.
5. The city manager or designee may take such other actions to inform the public of the snow emergency as appropriate.
E. Towing Of Improperly Parked Vehicles: Any vehicle found to be parked where not permitted during a snow emergency will be issued a notice of parking violation pursuant to section 9-4-14 of this chapter and towed to a place designated for the storage of impounded vehicles pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 08-4321, 11-18-2008)
Notes
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