Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout5N Remove Snow Rubbish Amendment Report Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 3, 2018 AGENDA #: 5N PREPARED BY: JASON WEDEL, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER PRESENTED BY: JASON WEDEL AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 701 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE RELATING TO REMOVAL OF SNOW GOAL AREA AND OBJECTIVE: Public Safety 1. Ensure a safe and quality-built environment. DISCUSSION: Introduction The purpose of the agenda item is to request that the City Council consider an amendment to the Prior Lake City Code which will provide additional requirements for removal of snow on sidewalks abutting private property. What is currently missing from the requirements is a time frame in which snow needs to be removed and clarification that snow removal must be for the full width of the sidewalk. History City Code 701.100 is referenced by the City’s Code Enforcement Officer when discussing with property owners the need to remove snow on their abutting sidewalks. Unfortunately, the code as currently written does not provide a timeframe in which the snow must be removed, nor does it state that the snow must be removed for the full width of the sidewalk. This has made enforcement of the code difficult and frustrating for both residents and City staff. Current Circumstances Code 701.100 is currently written as follows: 701.100: Remove Snow, Rubbish: It shall be unlawful for any property owner or occupant not to remove snow, ice or rubbish from his abutting sidewalks and it shall be the primary responsibility of said owner or occupant to perform said removal. The proposed changes for consideration are as follows: 701.100: Remove Snow, Rubbish: It shall be unlawful for any property owner or occupant not to remove snow, ice or rubbish from his abutting sidewalks within 48 hours after the end of a snow fall event and it shall be the primary responsibility of said owner or occupant to perform said removal for the full width of the sidewalk. ISSUES: The lack of clarity in the City Code has made it difficult communicate expectations to property owners and consequently to enforce this ordinance. Additional detail is necessary to make it clear what property owners are responsible to do and within what timeframe they need to have it completed. The proposed language is modeled on what is currently within the Minneapolis City Code. The City of Minneapolis; however, requires snow to be removed within 24 hours of a snow fall event. Per the City of Prior Lake Winter Maintenance Policy, the City is committed to removing snow on City maintained trails within 1-3 days of a snow fall event. It was therefore deemed reasonable that individual property owners should remove the snow on their abutting sidewalks within 48 hours. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no additional cost associated with the ordinance amendment. There is a cost to property owners if they fail to comply with this code. If it becomes necessary for the City to complete the removal of snow due to lack of compliance from the property owner there is a charge of $100 per occurrence as outlined in the City’s Winter Maintenance Policy. This is not a change and has been a part of the Winter Maintenance Policy for many years. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Motion and second as part of the consent agenda to adopt the ordinance as proposed. 2. Motion and second to remove this item from the consent agenda for additional discussion. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Alternative #1 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 CITY OF PRIOR LAKE ORDINANCE NO. _________ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 701 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE RELATING TO REMOVAL OF SNOW AND RUBBISH AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE CITY CODE SECTION 104; WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTAINS PENALTY PROVISIONS. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA, ORDAINS: Section 1. City Code Section 701 is amended by deleting subsection 701.100 in its entirety and replacing it with the following: 701.100 Remove Snow, Rubbish: It shall be unlawful for any property owner or occupant not to remove snow, ice or rubbish from his abutting sidewalks within 48 hours after the end of a snow fall event and it shall be the primary responsibility of said owner or occupant to perform said removal for the full width of the sidewalk. Section 2. City Code Section 104 entitled “General Penalty” is adopted in its entirety, by reference, as though repeated verbatim herein. Section 3. This ordinance shall become effective upon its passage and publication. Passed by the City Council of the City of Prior Lake this 3rd day of December, 2018. ATTEST: _________________________ __________________________ Frank Boyles, City Manager Kirt Briggs, Mayor Published in the Prior Lake American on the 15th day of December 2018.