(A) On the basis of falling snow, sleet, or freezing rain, or on the basis of a forecast by the U.S. Weather Bureau or other weather service of snow, sleet, or freezing rain, that weather conditions will make it necessary that motor vehicle traffic be expedited and that parking on streets be prohibited or restricted for snow plowing and other purposes, the Mayor, in consultation with the Village Administrator may declare a snow emergency. Similarly, he or she may cancel the emergency. In the Mayor’s absence or unavailability, or the absence or unavailability of the Village Administrator, either may declare a snow emergency, or both.
(B) During the period of any snow emergency, no vehicle shall be parked on any route or street within the vehicle so designated by the Village Administrator. Vehicles so parked shall be removed by owners within two hours of the declaration of emergency unless the declaration is made between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. In such event, the vehicles shall be removed no later than 8:00 a.m., unless contact is made with the owner during those hours advising that said vehicles must be removed.
(C) Upon cancellation of the snow emergency, regular and legal parking may resume.
(D) Vehicles that are not removed as provided for herein shall be treated as illegally parked vehicles and shall be subject to removal or fine, or both, under provisions of this chapter of the Traffic Code.
(E) All snow emergency declarations and cancellations shall be communicated to the public through the following sources:
(1) Radio received locally;
(2) Police dispatch;
(3) Street and Public Works Department; and
(4) The office of the Mayor or the Village Administrator.
(F) The Village Administrator may issue administrative regulations, not inconsistent with the section, to implement the policy of this section.
(G) (1) The village and/or members of its Police Department are hereby authorized to remove or have removed to a place of safety (including another place on a street or highway) any vehicle parked on a street or highway in violation of this section which is interfering with or about to interfere with snow removal operations.
(2) Whenever the village and/or members of its Police Department removes or has removed a vehicle from a street or highway as authorized in the section and knows or is able to ascertain from the registration records in said vehicle the name and address of the owner thereof, notice shall be given in writing to such owner of the fact of such removal and the reasons therefor and of the place to which such vehicle has been removed.
(3) The expense incurred in connection with the removal of a vehicle to a place of safety under and pursuant to this section shall be the responsibility of the owner or owners of said vehicle.
(H) Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on the first offense. Any subsequent violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(Ord. 229, passed 1-6-2004)