<DIV>Kit,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>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. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>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? </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Our sidewalks should be safe and accessible for everyone, but especially for those with difficulty being ambulatory.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Best Regards,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Donovan Arnold<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">Donovan is correct. A mush of snow on packed snow is safer to walk on <BR>than ice. It does more harm than good to try to clear a skiff. His <BR>idea of taking off jujst the soft stuff rather than clearing to the <BR>surface works well---in climates where the ground freezes and the air <BR>temperatures (highs and lows) stay consistently below freezing.<BR><BR>Unfortunately, that's not Moscow.<BR><BR>Here, there is a daily freeze-thaw cycle. Snow often falls on <BR>unfrozen ground or cement. As a result, if snow is thick enough that <BR>you can't see the sidewalk, it only takes a single foot step to form <BR>a near-molecular bond between snow and cement. The packed snow will <BR>turn into dense, slick ice that is nearly
impossible to remove and <BR>which will linger for days (last year it was 22) before it melts.<BR><BR>For example, the day after the last snowfall, I walked down a <BR>sidewalk that was cleared to the cement---except for this wandering <BR>line of inch-tall ice pillars. At one end of the property, there was <BR>evidence that someone had tried to remove them, to no avail. They <BR>apparentlly gave up. The amazing thing was that each pillar was <BR>capped by a perfect cat-paw print. One cat walking, that's all it <BR>took to create ice.<BR><BR>If a sidewalk is cleared to the surface so the cement can absorb <BR>light, the little snow that is left will melt and the sidewalk will <BR>dry out, leaving ideal walking conditions. The key is to get the job <BR>done before the snow is packed (i.e. shovel where the drive crosses <BR>the sidewalk before leaving in the morning). The cement needs to be <BR>cleared from edge to edge so residual snow does not melt then <BR>refreeze where
it flows across the walk.<BR><BR>In Moscow, creating safe sidewalks is a matter of shoveling as soon <BR>as possible (ideally in the morning), then sanding or de-icing to <BR>provide traction until the ice melts enough to be popped off.<BR><BR>Kit Craine<BR><BR>On Jan 21, 2008, at 9:30 PM, Donovan Arnold wrote:<BR><BR>> I don't agree with Kit on the notion it is safer to remove small <BR>> amounts of snow.<BR>><BR>> I hate it when there is only an inch of snow, and some snow plow <BR>> comes along and packs that snow down so it becomes a 1/4 inch sheet <BR>> of slick ice. The UI does that all the time.<BR>><BR>> I would rather walk on an inch of snow than 1/4 inch sheet of ice. <BR>> Snow is not slick, ice is. I can get traction on snow, I cannot on <BR>> the ice. Snow should only be removed to the point so you can pass <BR>> over it in a wheelchair or on foot.<BR>><BR>> If is awfully hard to remove every little bit off snow from a
<BR>> sidewalk. Instead, people remove all but an a 1/2 inch and pack it <BR>> down with their boots and snow shovel. That makes it icy slick. I <BR>> have to walk on the snowy grass to keep from falling.<BR>><BR>> Best Regards,<BR>><BR>> Donovan<BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>> Craine Kit <KCRAINE@VERIZON.NET>wrote:<BR>> 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 <BR>> 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, <BR>> 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 <BR>> 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 <BR>> 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>><BR>><BR>> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.<BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><p> 
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