HomeMy WebLinkAbout23. 13-524
NOVEMBER 12, 2013 NOVEMBER 26, 2013 13-500 13-524 ORDINANCE
FIRST READING SECOND READING
(CARRIED___7-0___ LOST________ LAID OVER________ WITHDRAWN_______)
PURPOSE: REPEAL & RECREATE A PORTION OF THE STREETS AND
SIDEWALKS ORDINANCE / SECTION 25-68 SNOW REMOVAL
INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH REPEALING & RECREATING A
PORTION OF THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS ORDINANCE / SECTION 25-68 SNOW
REMOVAL.
The Common Council of the City of Oshkosh does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 25 Streets and Sidewalks, Article VIII. Snow and Ice
Removal, Section 25-68 of the Oshkosh Municipal Code pertaining to snow removal is
here by repealed and recreated to read as follows:
ARTICLE VIII. SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL
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 keep the sidewalk or curb
ramp sprinkled with a material(s) to accelerate melting and prevent slipping. 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 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage and publication.
NOVEMBER 12, 2013 NOVEMBER 26, 2013 13-500 13-524 ORDINANCE
FIRST READING SECOND READING CONTD
SECTION 3. Publication Notice.
Please take notice that the City of Oshkosh enacted ordinance #13-524 (A GENERAL
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH REPEALING & RECREATING A PORTION
OF THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS ORDINANCE/SECTION 25-68 SNOW REMOVAL
on November 26, 2013. The ordinance is updated to clarify that it is the property owner's
responsibility to remove snow and ice from the crosswalk/curb ramp abutting their property.
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.
OIHKOIH
ON THE WATER
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Steven M. Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works v+"'I
DATE: November 7, 2013
RE: Revisions to Chapter 25/Section 25-68 Snow Removal
BACKGROUND
Property owners are currently required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks and cross walks / curb
ramps adjacent to their property. The existing code language has caused some confusion about the
responsibility of residents. The two areas needing clarification relate to mid-block cross walks / curb
ramps and the need to keep sidewalks non-slippery when ice forms.
ANALYSIS
The recommended changes to the Municipal Code will clarify the responsibility of property owners to
keep cross walks / curb ramps adjacent to their property clear of ice and snow and clarify what is
expected when ice cannot be removed due to weather conditions.
The current code requires property owners to clear cross walks / curb ramps at intersecting streets. The
proposed language states "Every person who owns property abutting any cross walk / curb ramp shall
remove all snow and ice from the sidewalks bordering the crosswalk and the curb ramp." This will allow
the City to enforce snow removal from any curb ramps, including mid-block crossings.
The second correction will correct language that states property owners are to keep the sidewalk
sprinkled with a material to accelerate melting or prevent slipping. The proposed language states "when
ice is so formed on any sidewalk or curb ramp so that it cannot be removed, the person owning such
premises shall keep the sidewalk sprinkled with a material(s) to accelerate melting and prevent slipping."
The issue has been residents not applying ample material to keep the sidewalk safe for pedestrian traffic
while waiting for the ice to melt.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend approval of the proposed changes to Municipal Code Section 25-68, Snow Removal.
Approved:
Mark A. Rohloff
City Manager
SMG/tlt
I:\Engineering\Tracy Taylor\Memos to Mayor&Common Council\2013\Revision to Ch 25_11-7-13 docx