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Analysis <br />From a fairness standpoint, the Council may wish to either require all property owners to remove snow <br />from their adjacent sidewalk, or require none of them to do it. Variations from this theme increase <br />confusion, and with confusion, an increase in educational and enforcement costs. <br />From a planning standpoint, and with goals to increase mobility options for the community, sidewalks are <br />an asset. Sidewalks represent a tangible investment by the city and individual properties. To not protect <br />the use of these for four months each year seems counterintuitive. <br />A review of area communities including Anoka, Big Lake, Blaine, Champlin, Maple Grove, Otsego, <br />Ramsey, Rogers, and Zimmerman, show that all have ordinances similar to Elk River's in the sense that <br />adjacent properties are responsible to remove snow and ice from sidewalks. The amount of time given to <br />complete this work ranges from 12 hours (Maple Grove, Otsego, Rogers) to 48 hours (Blaine, Champlin) <br />In Zimmerman, only parcels east of Highway 45 are required to remove snow. In Blaine, the city manager <br />may exempt certain properties from the requirement for certain reasons, such as size of boulevard, and <br />plowing of adjacent streets. <br />Recommendation <br />Of the identified options, staff recommends the Council retain the status quo. If the Council feels cuts to <br />service are necessary and appropriate, staff recommends eliminating some of the sidewalks it currently <br />removes snow from. Regardless, all sidewalks should be cleared to afford the residents the ability to use <br />the sidewalks throughout the year to get to school, parks, shopping, and between neighborhoods. Staff <br />recognizes the challenges some residents have with snow removal, however, these difficulties system-wide <br />do not outweigh the benefits of a comprehensive sidewalk system provides. <br />Attachments <br />^ November 7, 2011, Staff Report <br />^ May 16, 2011, Staff Report and Minutes <br />^ February 7, 2011, Staff Report and Minutes <br />N:\Public Bodies\City Council\Council RCA\Agenda Packet\12-12-2011\Snow Abatement.docx <br />