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HomeMy WebLinkAbout14. 22-346 AUGUST 10, 2022 22-346 ORDINANCE FIRST READING (CARRIED______ LOST_______ LAID OVER_______ WITHDRAWN_______) PURPOSE: AMEND SECTION 25-68 OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL INITIATED BY: SUSTAINABILITY AND ADVISORY BOARD A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AMENDING SECTION 25-68(1) OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL WHEREAS, the Sustainability Advisory Board recommends certain amendments to the City’s snow removal ordinance to clarify language and to recommend the use of alternatives to salt when appropriate. WHEREAS, the amendments have been reviewed and conducted in coordination with the Department of Public Works. NOW, THEREFORE, the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh do ordain as follows: SECTION 1. That Section 25-68(1) of the Oshkosh Municipal Code pertaining to snow and ice removal is hereby amended to read as shown on the attachment to this ordinance. SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, and publication. SECTION 3. Publication Notice. Please take notice that the City of Oshkosh enacted ordinance #22- on August 23, 2022, AMEND SECTION 25-68 OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL (A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AMENDING SECTION 25-68(1) OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL). The ordinance amends language in Section 25-68(1) of the Oshkosh Municipal Code relating to the requirement that sidewalks are cleared of snow and ice. The ordinance AUGUST 10, 2022 22-346 ORDINANCE FIRST READING CONT’D recommends the use of alternatives to salt when salt may not be effective, such as when temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The full text of the ordinance may be obtained at the Office of the City Clerk, 215 Church Avenue and through the City’s website at www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us. Clerk’s phone: 920/236-5011. City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us TO: Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Kelly Nieforth, Community Development Director DATE: July 25, 2022 RE: Amend Section 25-68 of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code Pertaining to Snow and Ice Removal on Sidewalks BACKGROUND The City of Oshkosh’s snow and ice removal requirements on sidewalks are found in Chapter 25 of the Municipal Code. The Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) has requested Council consider an amendment to Section 25-68 to remove the requirement that sidewalks be kept sprinkled with ice melting accelerant, such as salt, and add language to explain that salt is not effective when temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The proposed amendment has been reviewed and conducted in coordination with the Department of Public Works. ANALYSIS The current snow and ice removal requirements state that when ice is formed and cannot be removed, that the owner shall keep the sidewalk sprinkled with materials to accelerate melting and prevent slipping. This requirement concerns the SAB because small amounts of salt can significantly impact our freshwater ecosystem and when over salting occurs, it has damaging effects on concrete, causing more frequent and avoidable repairs. SAB cited Wisconsin Salt Wise, a coalition of organizations from Wisconsin who work together to reduce salt pollution in the lakes, streams, and drinking water, stating that it only takes one teaspoon of road salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water. The proposed amendment to Section 25-68 removes the requirement of keeping sidewalks sprinkled with a deicing material because when temperatures drop below 15 degrees salt is ineffective, so switching to sand for traction is recommend during that time. This amendment still requires that ice be removed and that owners sprinkle material to accelerate melting and prevent slipping, but also aims at providing recommendations for when typical deicers will not functionally work because of the frigid temperatures we experience in Oshkosh. City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us FISCAL IMPACT There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the proposed amendment as it is an update to an existing ordinance that complies with current enforcement practices. RECOMMENDATION SAB recommends that the Council adopt the proposed ordinance amendment. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Kelly Nieforth Mark A. Rohloff Community Development Director City Manager SECTION 25-68 SNOW REMOVAL (1) Sidewalks Every owner of real property within the City shall within twenty-four (24) hours following cessation of a snowfall or other precipitation, remove all snow and ice from the sidewalk located adjacent to the premises; provided that, when ice is so formed on any sidewalk so that it cannot be removed, the person owning such premises shall sprinklekeep the sidewalk or curb ramp sprinkled with a material(s) to accelerate melting and prevent slipping. When pavement temperatures drop below 15 degrees F, salt may not be effective, so switching to sand for traction or a different ice melter that works at lower temperatures is recommended. Every person who owns property abutting any crosswalk/curb ramp shall remove all snow and ice from the sidewalks bordering the crosswalk and the curb ramp. Additional snow events will not extend the snow removal deadline. Prior snowfalls are required to be removed by the original deadline. SECTION 25-68 SNOW REMOVAL (1) Sidewalks Every owner of real property within the City shall within twenty-four (24) hours following cessation of a snowfall or other precipitation, remove all snow and ice from the sidewalk located adjacent to the premises; provided that, when ice is so formed on any sidewalk so that it cannot be removed, the person owning such premises shall sprinkle the sidewalk or curb ramp with a material(s) to accelerate melting and prevent slipping. When pavement temperatures drop below 15 degrees F, salt may not be effective, so switching to sand for traction or a different ice melter that works at lower temperatures is recommended. Every person who owns property abutting any crosswalk/curb ramp shall remove all snow and ice from the sidewalks bordering the crosswalk and the curb ramp. Additional snow events will not extend the snow removal deadline. Prior snowfalls are required to be removed by the original deadline.