City Council Announcements
March 26, 2013
Information Needed by Council Staff
AA. 6:17:35 Sidewalk Snow Removal – Enhanced City Involvement
Council Member Luke Garrott and Council Member Charlie Luke have both raised ideas for enhanced City involvement in sidewalk snow removal.
Ø Does the Council wish to ask the Administration to provide alternatives in the upcoming budget for funding that would further the City’s goal of having sidewalks cleared within 24 hours after each storm?
Ø Does the Council wish to allocate staff resources to focus on a variety of alternative approaches and report back to the Council following the budget season, with the understanding that the Council may consider funding in a budget opening?
This issue fits within the Council’s Walkability emphasis
Administration did say they were going to be looking at this further and coming back with some ideas.
Councilmember Luke discussed various circumstances that would warrant enhanced snow removal. He suggested volunteer groups or City staff that is already clearing sidewalks in some areas. He said he is looking for something fairly limited but open for individuals who do not have the ability or where it truly is unreasonable to expect. He clarified it would not be a citywide snow removal.
Councilmember Garrott said there are areas that simply do not get shoveled. He suggested that the City send out a crew to clean the sidewalk, or a process similar to cleaning up Code Enforcement violations and then charging a property owner.
David Everitt said a request has been made for Orion Goff to put together a work group and analysis of snow removal holes based on last year’s experience and come up with recommendations to bring to the Council for options for additional enforcement and/or effectiveness. He said Mr. Goff has begun that process and would welcome Council Staff participation, direction, or guidance. He said perhaps the group can return with a menu of options and prioritized plowing of sidewalks and parks (similar to streets). He said staff would also look at the idea of one side of the street being cleared of cars on heavy snow days and how other cities do that. He said sidewalks at intersections are also an issue.
Councilmember Penfold suggested a process for Council Staff to identify some of the gaps. He said he is personally interested in school districts, the connection between business licensing and apartment owners, and other obvious problem areas.
There appeared to be consensus to add City Council Staff to Administration’s deliberations and participation on this work group.
BB. Administrative Response
Council Member Charlie Luke thanked David Everitt for the quick response to many items by Administration and their Staff.
CC. July Meeting Dates
Council Member Love raised the issue of July meeting dates, including the necessary Truth in Taxation Meeting. She said she would prefer July 9 and 16 versus July 23.
Council Member LaMalfa will not be in town on July 9; Council Member Christensen indicated July 23 is problematic for him. No further response provided.
DD. Alcohol Ordinance Modification
Council Member Charlie Luke said he would like to request Staff consider an ordinance modification based on recently passed legislation where cities are now able to set/regulate hours of operation for alcohol-specific establishments. He said these types of establishments could potentially be surrounded by neighborhoods. He asked for Council Staff to be able to return with options for hours of operation for alcohol establishments; whether it be by conditional use, zoning, etc.
Council Members Christensen and Penfold indicated support.