[Vision2020] Removing Snow NOT Always Better

Wed Jan 23 18:09:58 PST 2008

Kit,

  Thanks for that in depth and informative email on ice and snow on the sidewalk.  I did not know that. I just walked around icy spots on the sidewalks in the grass where I know it cannot be that slick. I think people that shovel should put the snow a foot of further back from the edge of the sidewalk so we can walk next to the sidewalk, and not on it when it is icy. 

  Of course Moscow's next trick should be to make sidewalks wide enough so wheelchairs can ride on them. I think wheelchairs riding down the streets of Moscow are dangerous for everybody, but when a sidewalk is to narrow and/or has no up/down ramps to exit and enter them on every intersecting, what else can someone in a wheelchair do but travel on the streets with cars? 

  Our sidewalks should be safe and accessible for everyone, but especially for those with difficulty being ambulatory.

  Best Regards,

  Donovan Arnold

Craine Kit <kcraine at verizon.net> wrote:
  Donovan is correct. A mush of snow on packed snow is safer to walk on 
than ice. It does more harm than good to try to clear a skiff. His 
idea of taking off jujst the soft stuff rather than clearing to the 
surface works well---in climates where the ground freezes and the air 
temperatures (highs and lows) stay consistently below freezing.

Unfortunately, that's not Moscow.

Here, there is a daily freeze-thaw cycle. Snow often falls on 
unfrozen ground or cement. As a result, if snow is thick enough that 
you can't see the sidewalk, it only takes a single foot step to form 
a near-molecular bond between snow and cement. The packed snow will 
turn into dense, slick ice that is nearly impossible to remove and 
which will linger for days (last year it was 22) before it melts.

For example, the day after the last snowfall, I walked down a 
sidewalk that was cleared to the cement---except for this wandering 
line of inch-tall ice pillars. At one end of the property, there was 
evidence that someone had tried to remove them, to no avail. They 
apparentlly gave up. The amazing thing was that each pillar was 
capped by a perfect cat-paw print. One cat walking, that's all it 
took to create ice.

If a sidewalk is cleared to the surface so the cement can absorb 
light, the little snow that is left will melt and the sidewalk will 
dry out, leaving ideal walking conditions. The key is to get the job 
done before the snow is packed (i.e. shovel where the drive crosses 
the sidewalk before leaving in the morning). The cement needs to be 
cleared from edge to edge so residual snow does not melt then 
refreeze where it flows across the walk.

In Moscow, creating safe sidewalks is a matter of shoveling as soon 
as possible (ideally in the morning), then sanding or de-icing to 
provide traction until the ice melts enough to be popped off.

Kit Craine

On Jan 21, 2008, at 9:30 PM, Donovan Arnold wrote:

> I don't agree with Kit on the notion it is safer to remove small 
> amounts of snow.
>
> I hate it when there is only an inch of snow, and some snow plow 
> comes along and packs that snow down so it becomes a 1/4 inch sheet 
> of slick ice. The UI does that all the time.
>
> I would rather walk on an inch of snow than 1/4 inch sheet of ice. 
> Snow is not slick, ice is. I can get traction on snow, I cannot on 
> the ice. Snow should only be removed to the point so you can pass 
> over it in a wheelchair or on foot.
>
> If is awfully hard to remove every little bit off snow from a 
> sidewalk. Instead, people remove all but an a 1/2 inch and pack it 
> down with their boots and snow shovel. That makes it icy slick. I 
> have to walk on the snowy grass to keep from falling.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Donovan
>
>
>
> Craine Kit wrote:
> Moscow City Code defines ice or snow on the sidewalk as a nuisance,
> period. Property owners have 24 hours to clear sidewalks adjacent to
> their property AFTER being given notice, either in writing or by
> having it posted on the property. After the 24 hours, the City can
> issue a citation and/or clear the sidewalks and bill the property
> owner. Out of courtesy, the City allows 24 hours for clearing before
> starting the enforcement clock. Unfortunately, issuing notice depends
> on public complaints against an address and the City may not follow
> through once the time is up.
>
> There is a myth in this town that small amounts of snow will melt off
> so people don't need to bother shoveling unless there are inches on a
> sidewalk. Wrong. In our climate, even a skiff of packed snow turns
> into deadly ice before nature does the clearing. Last winter, we had
> about an inch of snow one day, less than an inch two days later. It
> took twenty-two (22) days for the resulting packed ice to melt off.
> Sidewalks that were cleared before they became packed were clear and
> dry for that period.
>
> The only environmentally sensitive solution to this problem is a
> shovel. The only humane solution to ice is chemicals. Whatever is
> necessary should be used because broken bones should not be
> acceptable in a community that brags about being "pedestrian 
> friendly".
>
> What can you do to make Moscow's winter sidewalks safe? Take a moment
> to shove snow off the sidewalk where it crosses your driveway before
> you leave in the morning. Shovel the entire walk (edge to edge and to
> the surface) as soon as you can. Point out to merchants that if they
> want business, customers need to be able to reach their store. Report
> uncleared sidewalks to the City (882-COPS). Volunteer to help someone
> who can't clear their sidewalks.
>
> Sidewalks are part of the public right-of-way. Those who allow ice
> and snow build up are obstructing everyone's right to use those
> paths. That is not going to change unless the public insists on it.
>
>
> Kit Craine
>
> On Jan 21, 2008, at 6:21 PM, Janesta wrote:
>
> > You know the old saying... Do you want the bad news, or good news
> > first?
> >
> > The good news
> > I want to compliment the City of Moscow and Palouse Clearwater
> > Environmental Institute in creating the "Snow Patrol". It is
> > fantastic to witness the care and concern put forth for community
> > members who are unable to clear their sidewalk due to age, or
> > disability. GOOD JOB!!! If you need assistance, call 882-1444, and
> > ask for Courtney Rush, or click on this link... http://pcei.org/
> > VolunteerSnow.htm . Regardless if it is snow removal, supplying
> > food shelters with fresh produce, or caring for our environment,
> > PCEI is there. Thank you so much!
> >
> > Now, for the bad news. It always seems to be kind of long, 
> doesn't it?
> >
> > Attempting to walk and shop downtown is a risky feat if you are
> > healthy. Imagine if you are disabled, or elderly? A person using a
> > wheelchair can't even GO downtown this time of year! There are many
> > of us with hidden disabilities who must use extreme caution as 
> well .
> >
> > When my knees were replaced eight years ago, I was advised by my
> > orthopedic surgeon if I were to fall and break my leg, it would
> > probably be in the middle of my shin, or above my knee, each place,
> > (much more than you probably want to know about me!) where four
> > screws are embedded in bone. I could very well lose my leg, or
> > legs, as the case may be. That statement from him has sobered me to
> > any thoughts of peaceful walks almost anywhere around town, but
> > especially, in my beloved downtown Moscow.
> >
> > Last Thursday, for the first time in six weeks, I decided to go
> > downtown shopping. I was very discouraged by the state of some of
> > the sidewalks. Moscow had not received snow for several days, yet,
> > many of the businesses still had an accumulated a mixture of snow,
> > and dangerous ice on the ground with NO WHERE to walk that was
> > clear. This includes the walkway in front of the fountain in
> > Friendship Square, which at the time, only had a two foot pathway.
> >
> > Many years ago, while working as an advocate at Disability Action
> > Center, I spoke with Police Chief Weaver regarding our snow removal
> > ordinance. At that time, he stated the problem lies with
> > enforcement. There are no specifics that state what time the snow
> > needs to be removed by, nor what part of the sidewalk the business
> > owner is responsible for, or how wide of a swath should be
> > shoveled. Also, the policy stated once warned about snow removal, a
> > business has 24 hours to respond. What is with Moscow and these
> > hour requirements, such as the noise and dog barking law? If
> > something needs to be taken care of, it needs to be dealt with
> > ASAP! At one business I spoke with, I was advised they were only
> > responsible for an area four feet from the building. What about the
> > other four to six feet on to the curb? Who is responsible for that?
> > Who is responsible for the area on the corner of Main and 6th, Main
> > and 5th? Who is responsible sidewalks in front of a vacant
> > building? If a lawsuit is filed, who pays? Would it be me, the
> > taxpayer? Because the policy as it is written is so vague?? I
> > guarantee you, if someone is seriously injured due to the choice of
> > a business or the city to ignore this problem, someone will be sued.
> >
> > In the heat of summer, almost six months ago, I addressed the
> > Mayor, and Moscow City Council about concerns regarding our
> > disabled, and elderly community members, and the manner in which
> > the snow removal policy was written and enforced. At that time, I
> > was advised by Mayor Cheney the issue of changing the ordinance had
> > been in, I believe it was, an employee committee for the previous
> > 6-8 months. Personally, I am not sure why it takes so long to
> > change a snow removal policy. Do what I did, Google other cities in
> > Idaho, see what they are doing. Coeur d' Alene has an excellent
> > policy stating a time frame for removal of snow, the fine to be
> > issued if the policy is not followed. Also, if the fine isn't paid,
> > a lien will be placed on the property owner's taxes.
> >
> > I recall early last fall when there was discussion of moving
> > Farmer's Market to Main Street, and closing Main for a few hours
> > Saturday mornings... The businesses downtown were very much against
> > this idea, as they were concerned about parking, and losing
> > customers. Where is that same concern for their customers now?
> >
> > I hope this ordinance is addressed by the City Council soon. It
> > would be a shame for someone to be injured.
> >
> > Please call the Moscow Police Department at 882-5551 with your
> > concerns.
> >
> > Thank you for listening to my rant.
> >
> > Janesta Carcich
> >
> >
> > Below are the basics from both Moscow, and Coeur d' Alene's 
> websites.
> >
> > From the City of Moscow website.
> >
> > http://www.moscow.id.us/Police/Snow%20Removal/Snow%20removal.htm
> >
> > It shall be the duty of every owner of any land, building, or lot
> > within the City to remove snow and/or ice from adjacent sidewalks
> > to permit the safe pedestrian passage upon said sidewalks bordering
> > said property and to abate the nuisance set forth in this Chapter.
> > This duty applies to natural snowfall; it does not extend to snow
> > displaced onto sidewalks by City snowplows after an owner has
> > removed natural snowfall.
> >
> >
> >
> > Coeur d' Alene
> >
> > http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/ID/Coeur%20dAlene/index.htm
> >
> > "Every owner or occupant of any house or other building, or of any
> > vacant lot or block, and every person having charge of any church,
> > jail or public building within the municipal limits, shall, during
> > the winter season and during the time snow continues on the ground,
> > by nine o'clock (9:00) A.M. on every day after a snowfall, and
> > whenever necessary, clear the sidewalks in front of such lot or
> > block, from snow and ice, and shall keep them conveniently free
> > there from during the day, or shall, in case the snow and ice so
> > congealed that it cannot be removed without injury to the sidewalk,
> > cause the snow and ice to be strewed with ashes or sand. Every
> > owner or occupant shall at all times keep such sidewalk clear and
> > free from all filth, dirt or other obstructions or encumbrances so
> > as to allow citizens to use the sidewalks in an easy and commodious
> > manner."
> >
> > =======================================================
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> > mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> > =======================================================
>
> =======================================================
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