Snow Event Information
Related information
City's sidewalk snow removal information
Boone County Office of Emergency Management newsletter
Feb. 2011 slideshow: Frustration over blocked sidewalks
Assistance for the Elderly
If a neighbor needs help in removing their snow and ice, please offer a helping hand and be the good neighbor.
Additionally, there are agencies such as Boone County Council on Aging that can assist the elderly with snow shoveling. For more information, contact the Boone County Council on Aging at 573-443-1111.
Last winter mid-Missouri was under heaps of snow and many Columbia residents found themselves unable to travel across town. Those that were immobilized the most were the pedestrians traveling on foot or by wheelchair; the ones that relied on the City’s sidewalks for safe passage.
After a snowfall, it is the responsibility of Columbia residents to clear the sidewalks that run along their property, as stated by Section 24-12 in the City ordinance. Failing to remove snow is a misdemeanor, however, most sidewalks usually remain snow-covered.
The Active Transportation Alliance came up with the idea of printable postcards that congratulate neighbors that shovel their walks and offer a friendly reminder to those that have not. Columbian Trevor Harris modified their idea to be more Columbia specific. You can view and print these cards.
Some residents feel that the snowplows are responsible for many obstructed sidewalks. John Bowders, Jr. of Columbia, took the time last January to notify City leaders and representatives of his frustration after snowplows displaced snow from the street onto his and neighbors’ freshly cleared sidewalks. Bowders stated that, “Given some instruction, I am sure the crews can maintain a reasonably clear driving lane without pushing all of the snow on to the sidewalk.”
Suggestions for Change
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission made some suggestions concerning the City’s sidewalk procedures last year after the heavy snowfall. The Commission recommended more specific standards and stricter enforcement of Section 24-12. This included a 24-hour deadline for having sidewalks cleared after a snowstorm, or clearing the snow down to a half-inch with no ice. The Commission continues to work on this issue.
Helping the Downtown Area
Recently in Columbia, residents approved a half-cent tax increase on all downtown retail sales, which is expected to generate approximately $300,000 per year at its outset and rise with time. Among the proposed uses for the extra cash is “downtown beautification,” which includes sidewalk snow removal. This however will not cover sidewalk clearing for areas outside of the downtown district. The new tax is not set to take affect until April 1, 2012, thereby leaving snow removal a task for downtown residents and business owners this winter.
Other Northern Cities
As for some cities north of Missouri, stricter penalties and more advanced snow removal plans are in place. In Worcester, MA, sidewalks must have a path at least four feet wide cleared within ten hours of snowfall, with the threat of a $75 per day fine for those who are noncompliant.
In Ames, IA property owners or tenants also have ten daylight hours from the last accumulation to clear their sidewalks to a four-foot wide surface. However, when a covered walk is reported, the walk is inspected and posted with a 24-hour notice to clean the walk. If it is not cleared, the Operations Division clears the walk and the property owner will be charged the actual cost of removal plus a $50 administrative fee. The average fee is between $90 and $150.
In same places, it is the responsibility of the city. Bloomington, MN sends out five sidewalk snow removal units to clear over 250 miles of sidewalk throughout the city. It is also common in many Canadian cities that municipalities clear the walks.
Can I Be Sued?
It is a bit of an urban legend that clearing sidewalks can leave a homeowner vulnerable to lawsuits. The Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation took up this issue and have a nice summary.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch also did an article titled Experts Dig Deep Into Snow Shoveling Conundrum.
