(A) Definition. For purposes of this section, the term SNOW EMERGENCY means a condition created on city streets because of the presence of snow, freezing rain, sleet or ice thereon or other natural phenomenon which creates or is likely to create hazardous road conditions or impedes or is likely to impede the free movement of fire, health, police, emergency or other vehicular traffic, when the emergency has been duly declared.
(B) Declaration of snow emergency. Whenever, in the opinion of the City Administrator or in his/her absence the Fire Chief and/or Police Chief an emergency exists, he or she may declare the emergency and cause an announcement thereof to be made to local news media, radio and social media.
(C) Beginning and duration of emergency.
(1) The emergency shall begin one hour after the announcement to news media.
(2) Once declared, the emergency shall remain in effect for the ensuing 72 hours, provided that the emergency may, in the same manner, be re-declared for subsequent like periods of time.
(D) Unlawful acts. During an emergency it is unlawful to park or leave standing any vehicle:
(1) On any street signposted in a manner similar to an emergency route;
(2) On that side of the street on which the addresses include odd-numbered buildings on such dates as are also odd-numbered; or
(3) On that side of the street on which the addresses include even-numbered buildings on such dates as are also even-numbered.
(E) Exceptions. This section shall not apply to the following:
(1) Persons in charge of wreckers or authorized emergency vehicles while actually servicing mechanical, fire, police or medical emergencies; or
(2) Any street when it has been fully and completely (curb-to-curb) cleared, sanded, salted or cleaned.
(F) Frequency. Due to the higher costs and expanded number of resources involved with a snow emergency it is with great prejudice that a snow emergency will be declared. This type of declaration should be reserved for extreme or severe weather situations.
(G) Towing authorized. As per M.S. § 168B.035, Subd 3. (B)(1), any vehicle which is left parked or standing on a public street designated as an Emergency Snow Route during a snow emergency in violation of this section is hereby declared a nuisance and shall be subject to a monetary fine as affixed by the City Council from time to time and may be subject to impounding. The owner of any vehicle impounded as a result of such nuisance shall be responsible for any and all cost related to the impounding of said vehicle. The fine imposed on a vehicle pursuant to this section shall not prevent or preclude the institution and prosecution of preceding for violations of this section against the vehicle owner.
(H) Notice of snow emergency parking provisions. Prior to November 1 of each year, the city shall publish in the official newspaper and on its official website the snow emergency parking provisions. The notice shall also be posted at City Hall at the time of publication.
(Ord. passed 3-23-2021)