HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-21 Public Comment - C. Pincus - Snow Removal Fines ResponseFrom: Clara SJP
To: Agenda
Cc: Kenneth Phillips
Subject: follow-up re sidewalks
Date: Friday, January 8, 2021 1:41:14 PM
Dear Commissioners, I was impressed and appreciated the very prompt and informative call
and email from Ken Phillips about the city's attempts to see that sidewalks remain safe for
walking in the winter. I did post the info from him on the sidewalks thread on NextDoor.
While the South Central neighborhood person who said she'd attempted in vain to improve the
situation in her neighborhood may need to keep trying, it does appear that people have
recourse to have things safer for pedestrians, and $40,000 in fines last season sounds like a lot
of time that our few compliance staff people have given to that end.
Best wishes, Clara Pincus
On Fri, Jan 8, 2021 at 7:38 AM Clara SJP <clarapincus@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Commissioners,
Ck out these comments from NextDoor ... there's quite a thread going on. People are at risk,
and mobility-impaired people are unable to safely get out. Apparently long-time entreaties
have fallen on deaf ears. This is on public sidewalks, where we do have some control as well
as responsibility to enforce. There are also comments from people with issues on their HOA-
controlled sidewalks. The only way we stay safe walking is with some great NEOS
overshoes that have built-in lugs. The things you strap on are less than ideal.
Here are several comments. Someone also posted the city regulation.
Connie Lange • South Central Association of Neighbors
I have spent decades politely asking and informing people about the ordinance to
keep their walks free of snow and ice, to no avail. I have spent as much time contacting
city officials asking them to speak to those neighbors (or fine them), all to no avail. We
keep our sidewalks safe throughout the winter. In addition to shoveling, we sprinkle
sand on icy spots. (To me the ordinance means edge-to-edge, dry or sanded cement
and no chance of falling.) I would hate for anyone to be injured on our walk. In addition
to problems that people with mobility issues face, 54% of people over the age of 50 are
at high risk of fractures from falling, largely due to bone loss or osteoporosis. And 50%
of people with osteoporosis die within one year of suffering a fracture. I am now one of
those who risk a life devastating injury due to a fracture. I can't walk a city block without
encountering an unshoveled or icy walk. The City of Bozeman continually touts
"walkability" as a priority. But this is just lip service. Actions do not follow words. They
have it within their authority and capabilities to assure safe (read: walkable) sidewalks,
but have never made significant efforts. In one incident, I sent photos of a friend's face
that was deeply abraded after falling on an icy sidewalk. Yet that homeowner continues
to neglect to keep their walk shoveled. On another occasion, I fell three times on the ice
at the Story Mansion - City property! MY FATE IS IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO
CONTINUE TO NEGLECT THEIR OBLIGATION!
Connie Lange • South Central Association of Neighbors
It's critical that the city enforce this ordinance. Too many people are at risk of serious
injury. I have spoken directly to the code enforcement staff with specific addresses of
dozens of properties with unshoveled walks. I've never seen compliance resulting from
my efforts. I've only heard of one person ever fined. And, oddly, that person missed one
day of shoveling after years of adhering to the code. Additionally, many corner property
owners only choose to shovel one walk, leaving the walk along their side property
unshoveled. Snow removal services do not address freeze thaw conditions. Snow melt
runs onto sidewalks, especially where the lawn is on a slope, and turns to black ice.
Walks that are habitually unshoveled, such as the fraternity on College and Willson and
neighboring properties, have this problem. Come April the hazard increases on
unshoveled walks with deep slush freezes into rutted ice unpassable for wheels and
feet. I'd be very interested in knowing how many warnings and fines the city gives out.
Laurel Koller • North East Neighborhood Association
In the ten plus years I have lived here I have only seen 1 person fined, and that was
literally after an entire winter of not shoveling.
I just don’t understand why people don’t think they have to do it?!? I mean do they like
walking on snow covered and icy sidewalks? Or falling and hurting themselves? Just
another example of people not really caring about others.
--
Clara Pincus
2010 Spring Creek Dr.
Bozeman MT 59715
406-582-8206 home
303-815-6966 cell
--
Clara Pincus
2010 Spring Creek Dr.
Bozeman MT 59715
406-582-8206 home
303-815-6966 cell