2008 Woodie Awards
Residents fined for tardy snow removal
Evan Cotten
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: News
The day after a big snow storm is usually a time for rest and relaxation. That is until after the sidewalks are cleared.
A city ordinance says residentially owned properties must have sidewalks clear by 9 a.m. the day after a snowfall or the owners could be subject to a citation.
The city usually finds out about non-snow scoopers via complaint, said Harry Kroos, a senior engineering specialist for the city and supervisor of its sidewalk section. When a report is made, the city has an employee scope out whether or not a property has scooped its sidewalk. If the sidewalks are not cleared, the owner gets a 12-hour deadline to remove the snow.
If the owner does not remove it, the owner is charged an $124 inspection fee when the city hires a contractor to check how much snow needs to be removed, Kroos said. Then the contractors generally charge between $60 to $100 depending on the size of the property.
The city hires a contractor to remove the snow from the sidewalk and then sends the bill to the owner.
So far this winter, only about 18 properties have been cited for not shoveling their sidewalks. It has snowed 19 times this winter, according to the National Weather Service.
After the work is done, the bill and the inspection charge are both sent to the property owner. The bills are meant to be paid to the city treasurer on or before Oct. 1. The city council then uses the money to help improve the street and sidewalk maintenance program.
"There have been nights where I've had to shovel my sidewalk with a broom," said Kevin Pawloski, a junior business administration major who has a house in Lincoln. "(The city) has also warned us about parking our trucks on the street when it snows."
The costs imposed on residents because of the ordinance is news to some smaller snow removal companies around the area.
Dave's Snow Removal charges a flat-rate of $38 when using a snowblower, and $76 to use a blade attached to a pick-up truck regardless of the square footage, said the business's owner Dave Schmidt.
"I wasn't aware of (the ordinance)," he said. "But I would sure like it if (the city) gave me a call next time they need somebody."
evancotten@dailynebraskan.com
A city ordinance says residentially owned properties must have sidewalks clear by 9 a.m. the day after a snowfall or the owners could be subject to a citation.
The city usually finds out about non-snow scoopers via complaint, said Harry Kroos, a senior engineering specialist for the city and supervisor of its sidewalk section. When a report is made, the city has an employee scope out whether or not a property has scooped its sidewalk. If the sidewalks are not cleared, the owner gets a 12-hour deadline to remove the snow.
If the owner does not remove it, the owner is charged an $124 inspection fee when the city hires a contractor to check how much snow needs to be removed, Kroos said. Then the contractors generally charge between $60 to $100 depending on the size of the property.
The city hires a contractor to remove the snow from the sidewalk and then sends the bill to the owner.
So far this winter, only about 18 properties have been cited for not shoveling their sidewalks. It has snowed 19 times this winter, according to the National Weather Service.
After the work is done, the bill and the inspection charge are both sent to the property owner. The bills are meant to be paid to the city treasurer on or before Oct. 1. The city council then uses the money to help improve the street and sidewalk maintenance program.
"There have been nights where I've had to shovel my sidewalk with a broom," said Kevin Pawloski, a junior business administration major who has a house in Lincoln. "(The city) has also warned us about parking our trucks on the street when it snows."
The costs imposed on residents because of the ordinance is news to some smaller snow removal companies around the area.
Dave's Snow Removal charges a flat-rate of $38 when using a snowblower, and $76 to use a blade attached to a pick-up truck regardless of the square footage, said the business's owner Dave Schmidt.
"I wasn't aware of (the ordinance)," he said. "But I would sure like it if (the city) gave me a call next time they need somebody."
evancotten@dailynebraskan.com
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