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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-21 Public Comment - C. Pincus - Snow Removal FinesFrom: Clara SJP To: Agenda Subject: sidewalk safety not being enforced Date: Friday, January 8, 2021 7:38:56 AM 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