<DIV>I don't agree with Kit on the notion it is safer to remove small amounts of snow. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>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. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>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. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>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. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Best Regards,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Donovan</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><BR><BR><B><I>Craine Kit
<kcraine@verizon.net></I></B> wrote:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">Moscow City Code defines ice or snow on the sidewalk as a nuisance, <BR>period. Property owners have 24 hours to clear sidewalks adjacent to <BR>their property AFTER being given notice, either in writing or by <BR>having it posted on the property. After the 24 hours, the City can <BR>issue a citation and/or clear the sidewalks and bill the property <BR>owner. Out of courtesy, the City allows 24 hours for clearing before <BR>starting the enforcement clock. Unfortunately, issuing notice depends <BR>on public complaints against an address and the City may not follow <BR>through once the time is up.<BR><BR>There is a myth in this town that small amounts of snow will melt off <BR>so people don't need to bother shoveling unless there are inches on a <BR>sidewalk. Wrong. In our climate, even a skiff of packed snow turns <BR>into
deadly ice before nature does the clearing. Last winter, we had <BR>about an inch of snow one day, less than an inch two days later. It <BR>took twenty-two (22) days for the resulting packed ice to melt off. <BR>Sidewalks that were cleared before they became packed were clear and <BR>dry for that period.<BR><BR>The only environmentally sensitive solution to this problem is a <BR>shovel. The only humane solution to ice is chemicals. Whatever is <BR>necessary should be used because broken bones should not be <BR>acceptable in a community that brags about being "pedestrian friendly".<BR><BR>What can you do to make Moscow's winter sidewalks safe? Take a moment <BR>to shove snow off the sidewalk where it crosses your driveway before <BR>you leave in the morning. Shovel the entire walk (edge to edge and to <BR>the surface) as soon as you can. Point out to merchants that if they <BR>want business, customers need to be able to reach their store. Report <BR>uncleared sidewalks to
the City (882-COPS). Volunteer to help someone <BR>who can't clear their sidewalks.<BR><BR>Sidewalks are part of the public right-of-way. Those who allow ice <BR>and snow build up are obstructing everyone's right to use those <BR>paths. That is not going to change unless the public insists on it.<BR><BR><BR>Kit Craine<BR><BR>On Jan 21, 2008, at 6:21 PM, Janesta wrote:<BR><BR>> You know the old saying... Do you want the bad news, or good news <BR>> first?<BR>><BR>> The good news<BR>> I want to compliment the City of Moscow and Palouse Clearwater <BR>> Environmental Institute in creating the "Snow Patrol". It is <BR>> fantastic to witness the care and concern put forth for community <BR>> members who are unable to clear their sidewalk due to age, or <BR>> disability. GOOD JOB!!! If you need assistance, call 882-1444, and <BR>> ask for Courtney Rush, or click on this link... http://pcei.org/ <BR>> VolunteerSnow.htm . Regardless if it is snow
removal, supplying <BR>> food shelters with fresh produce, or caring for our environment, <BR>> PCEI is there. Thank you so much!<BR>><BR>> Now, for the bad news. It always seems to be kind of long, doesn't it?<BR>><BR>> Attempting to walk and shop downtown is a risky feat if you are <BR>> healthy. Imagine if you are disabled, or elderly? A person using a <BR>> wheelchair can't even GO downtown this time of year! There are many <BR>> of us with hidden disabilities who must use extreme caution as well .<BR>><BR>> When my knees were replaced eight years ago, I was advised by my <BR>> orthopedic surgeon if I were to fall and break my leg, it would <BR>> probably be in the middle of my shin, or above my knee, each place, <BR>> (much more than you probably want to know about me!) where four <BR>> screws are embedded in bone. I could very well lose my leg, or <BR>> legs, as the case may be. That statement from him has sobered me to
<BR>> any thoughts of peaceful walks almost anywhere around town, but <BR>> especially, in my beloved downtown Moscow.<BR>><BR>> Last Thursday, for the first time in six weeks, I decided to go <BR>> downtown shopping. I was very discouraged by the state of some of <BR>> the sidewalks. Moscow had not received snow for several days, yet, <BR>> many of the businesses still had an accumulated a mixture of snow, <BR>> and dangerous ice on the ground with NO WHERE to walk that was <BR>> clear. This includes the walkway in front of the fountain in <BR>> Friendship Square, which at the time, only had a two foot pathway.<BR>><BR>> Many years ago, while working as an advocate at Disability Action <BR>> Center, I spoke with Police Chief Weaver regarding our snow removal <BR>> ordinance. At that time, he stated the problem lies with <BR>> enforcement. There are no specifics that state what time the snow <BR>> needs to be removed by, nor
what part of the sidewalk the business <BR>> owner is responsible for, or how wide of a swath should be <BR>> shoveled. Also, the policy stated once warned about snow removal, a <BR>> business has 24 hours to respond. What is with Moscow and these <BR>> hour requirements, such as the noise and dog barking law? If <BR>> something needs to be taken care of, it needs to be dealt with <BR>> ASAP! At one business I spoke with, I was advised they were only <BR>> responsible for an area four feet from the building. What about the <BR>> other four to six feet on to the curb? Who is responsible for that? <BR>> Who is responsible for the area on the corner of Main and 6th, Main <BR>> and 5th? Who is responsible sidewalks in front of a vacant <BR>> building? If a lawsuit is filed, who pays? Would it be me, the <BR>> taxpayer? Because the policy as it is written is so vague?? I <BR>> guarantee you, if someone is seriously injured due to the
choice of <BR>> a business or the city to ignore this problem, someone will be sued.<BR>><BR>> In the heat of summer, almost six months ago, I addressed the <BR>> Mayor, and Moscow City Council about concerns regarding our <BR>> disabled, and elderly community members, and the manner in which <BR>> the snow removal policy was written and enforced. At that time, I <BR>> was advised by Mayor Cheney the issue of changing the ordinance had <BR>> been in, I believe it was, an employee committee for the previous <BR>> 6-8 months. Personally, I am not sure why it takes so long to <BR>> change a snow removal policy. Do what I did, Google other cities in <BR>> Idaho, see what they are doing. Coeur d' Alene has an excellent <BR>> policy stating a time frame for removal of snow, the fine to be <BR>> issued if the policy is not followed. Also, if the fine isn't paid, <BR>> a lien will be placed on the property owner's taxes.<BR>><BR>> I
recall early last fall when there was discussion of moving <BR>> Farmer's Market to Main Street, and closing Main for a few hours <BR>> Saturday mornings... The businesses downtown were very much against <BR>> this idea, as they were concerned about parking, and losing <BR>> customers. Where is that same concern for their customers now?<BR>><BR>> I hope this ordinance is addressed by the City Council soon. It <BR>> would be a shame for someone to be injured.<BR>><BR>> Please call the Moscow Police Department at 882-5551 with your <BR>> concerns.<BR>><BR>> Thank you for listening to my rant.<BR>><BR>> Janesta Carcich<BR>><BR>><BR>> Below are the basics from both Moscow, and Coeur d' Alene's websites.<BR>><BR>> From the City of Moscow website.<BR>><BR>> http://www.moscow.id.us/Police/Snow%20Removal/Snow%20removal.htm<BR>><BR>> It shall be the duty of every owner of any land, building, or lot <BR>> within
the City to remove snow and/or ice from adjacent sidewalks <BR>> to permit the safe pedestrian passage upon said sidewalks bordering <BR>> said property and to abate the nuisance set forth in this Chapter. <BR>> This duty applies to natural snowfall; it does not extend to snow <BR>> displaced onto sidewalks by City snowplows after an owner has <BR>> removed natural snowfall.<BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>> Coeur d' Alene<BR>><BR>> http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/ID/Coeur%20dAlene/index.htm<BR>><BR>> "Every owner or occupant of any house or other building, or of any <BR>> vacant lot or block, and every person having charge of any church, <BR>> jail or public building within the municipal limits, shall, during <BR>> the winter season and during the time snow continues on the ground, <BR>> by nine o'clock (9:00) A.M. on every day after a snowfall, and <BR>> whenever necessary, clear the sidewalks in front of such lot or <BR>>
block, from snow and ice, and shall keep them conveniently free <BR>> there from during the day, or shall, in case the snow and ice so <BR>> congealed that it cannot be removed without injury to the sidewalk, <BR>> cause the snow and ice to be strewed with ashes or sand. Every <BR>> owner or occupant shall at all times keep such sidewalk clear and <BR>> free from all filth, dirt or other obstructions or encumbrances so <BR>> as to allow citizens to use the sidewalks in an easy and commodious <BR>> manner."<BR>><BR>> =======================================================<BR>> List services made available by First Step Internet,<BR>> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.<BR>> http://www.fsr.net<BR>> mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com<BR>> =======================================================<BR><BR>=======================================================<BR>List services made available by First Step Internet, <BR>serving the
communities of the Palouse since 1994. <BR>http://www.fsr.net <BR>mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com<BR>=======================================================<BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><p> 
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