The Ketchum City Council has heard complaint after complaint of snowed-in sidewalks during the last couple of months and decided Tuesday to step up enforcement of a city ordinance that requires people to clear sidewalks adjacent to their properties.
"It's hit and miss all over town," Councilman Curtis Kemp had said in an earlier meeting.
The 20 inches of snow that fell this week will put the city's commitment to the test.
The council unanimously voted in favor of immediately sending letters informing people of their responsibilities. And business owners operating under a lease aren't off the hook.
The ordinance puts the responsibility on the shoulders of "every person, whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee or otherwise, in possession or control of any building" abutting a sidewalk to clear the entire width of the sidewalk within six daylight hours of any snowfall. And the snow can't be pushed into the street or an alley. Those who don't clear their sidewalks can be fined up to $300 or be imprisoned for up to six months, or both, for each day of the violation.
The council said it's unlikely that violators would be put behind bars, but officers will have the power to fine those who don't heed the law.
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City Administrator Gary Marks said he believes the city will witness widespread compliance of the ordinance once people are educated and the stubborn ones see how committed the city is.
Councilman Baird Gourlay said he is still worried by one detail: people throwing piles of snow onto city streets, which he said often happens after the streets have been cleared.
"This has been allowed, but isn't working," he said.
It remains to be seen how the city will handle that problem if it persists. However, the ordinance already prohibits pushing snow into the street.
"The policy is sound," Marks said.
Delving into the details of the ordinance and making any changes would take too long anyway. If the council drafts any amendments, it would be required to have three readings, which would extend into another month.
"I hate to hold this up anymore," Marks said.
"I agree," Gourlay said, adding that if the ordinance is amended, winter will then be close to over and the snow gone.
Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com
Fresh snow is scraped off a Ketchum street Thursday morning. In efforts to increase enforcement of a law requiring private property owners and managers to clear city sidewalks, city officials hope snow from sidewalks isn’t pushed into streets. Photo by David N. Seelig
