(a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this section:
(1) Snow Emergency Streets are those Village streets located within the corporate limits of the Village, and more particularly described as Main Street from the alley lying between Inlot 7 and 8 extended to the alley lying between Inlots 43 and 44 thence easterly on Main Street to the east corporate line of the Village; from Maple Street down South Street to Railroad Street; and Center Street from South Street to the north corporate line of said Village.
(b) Parking on snow emergency streets. Whenever the Mayor or Village Administrator finds, on the basis of falling snow, sleet or freezing rain, or on the basis of a forecast by the United States 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 village snow emergency streets be prohibited or restricted for snow plowing and other purposes, either of them shall put into effect a parking prohibition on snow emergency streets as necessary by declaring it in a manner prescribed. Such parking prohibition shall automatically go into effect on any part of such snow emergency street on which there has been an accumulation of snow and/or ice of two (2) inches or more. Once in effect, a prohibition under this section shall remain in effect until terminated by announcement of the Mayor or the Village Administrator in accordance with this section, except that any street area which has become substantially clear of snow and/or ice from curb to curb for the length of an entire block shall be automatically excluded therefrom. While the prohibition is in effect, no person shall park or allow to remain parked any vehicle on any portion of a snow emergency street to which it applies.
(c) Stalled Vehicle on Snow Emergency Street. Whenever a vehicle becomes stalled for any reason, whether or not the same was due to the weather on any portion of the snow emergency streets on which there is a covering of snow, sleet and/or ice or on which there is a parking prohibition in effect, the person operating such vehicle shall take immediate action to have the vehicle towed or pushed off the roadway of such snow emergency street. No person shall abandon or leave his vehicle in the roadway of a snow emergency street except for the purpose of securing assistance during the actual time necessary to go to a nearby telephone or to a nearby garage, gasoline station or other place of assistance and return without delay.
(d) Declaration by the Mayor or Village Administrator. The Mayor or Village Administrator shall cause each declaration made pursuant to this section to be publicly announced by means of broadcasts or telecasts from stations with a normal operating range covering the Village, and may cause such declaration to be further announced in newspapers of general circulation when feasible. Each announcement shall describe the action taken by the Mayor or Village Administrator, including the time it became or will become effective, and shall specify the streets or areas affected. A parking prohibition declared by the Mayor or Village Administrator shall not go into effect until at least 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on any day; provided, however, that one announcement in a newspaper of general circulation shall be sufficient. The Mayor shall make or cause to be made a record of each time and date when any declaration is announced to the public in accordance with this section.
(e) Termination of Parking Prohibition. Whenever the Mayor or Village Administrator shall find that some or all the conditions which give rise to a parking prohibition in effect pursuant to this section no longer exists, he or either of them may declare the prohibition terminated, in whole or in part, in an manner prescribed by this section, effective immediately upon announcement.
(f) Provisions Temporarily Effective to Take Precedence. Any provision of this section which become effective by declaration of the Mayor or Village Administrator or upon occurrence of certain weather conditions shall, while temporarily in effect, take precedence over other conflicting provisions of law normally in effect, except it shall not take preference over provisions of law relating to traffic accidents, emergency travel of authorized emergency vehicles or emergency traffic directions by a police officer.
(g) Signs. On each street designated by this section, as a snow emergency street appropriate signs at reasonable intervals shall be posted. Signs posted in accordance with this section shall be distinctive and uniform in appearance and shall be plainly visible and readable to persons traveling on the street and shall conform to the state uniform traffic control regulations.
(h) Impounding Vehicles. Any vehicle parked on any snow emergency street in violation of any of the provisions of this section may be impounded and no person shall recover any vehicle removed pursuant to this section without first paying the cost of removal and the cost of storage. Any payments required by this section shall not be construed as a penalty so as to preclude prosecution for violation of any of the provisions of this section.
(i) Evidence with Respect to Vehicles Parked or Left in Violation. In any prosecution with regard to a vehicle parked or left in a place or in a condition in violation of any provision of this section, proof that the particular vehicle described in the complaint was parked or left in violation of a provision of this section, together with proof that the defendant named in the complaint was at the time the registered owner of such vehicle, shall constitute prima facie evidence that the defendant was the person who parked or left the vehicle in violation of this section.
(Ord. 335. Passed 1-19-83.)
(j) Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.