With winter weather already pelting the area, Clarkston City Council is still debating how sidewalks should be cleared of snow.
Newly elected Councilman Richard Bisio, who was sworn in at the Nov. 10 meeting, said the city should enforce an existing ordinance requiring residents to shovel their sidewalks.
Councilmen Mike Sabol and David Marsh also said the city should enforce the ordinance.
The ordinance already on the books requires sidewalks be cleared within 24 hours or city workers would clear them. Property owners would then face a civil infraction of $100 penalty for the first offense and $500 for each additional offense.
In August, city council voted not to enforce the snow removal ordinance after a public hearing to create a Special Assesment Distict and tax residents for snow removal.
Several residents were against being taxed for the service.
City Manager Carol Eberhardt proposed DPW workers remove snow from city sidewalks at a cost of $65 per resident, but the estimate was just a ball park figure and the true cost was undetermined.
Estimates for the work range from about $6,500 to over $22,000, depending on work involved, overtime hours, other labor costs, and required equipment.On Facebook, one resident voiced concern over sidewalks at a Waldon Road bus stop.
‘Last winter there was no spot for kids to stand because of the snow piled up and the sidewalk were not clear. The kids had to stand in the street. With slippery conditions, I think it is only a matter of time before there may be a tragedy,? said Chuck Kelterborn.
Sidewalk talks, driven by liability issues especially along Main Street and Miller, Waldon, and Clarkston roads, also included shoveling, but not salting, city sidewalks, and only clearing sidewalks when two inches or more accumulates.
The issue was postponed at the Oct. 27 meeting until the Nov. 10 meeting,when it was again postponed.
Bisio said remaining questions include how much enforcing the ordinance would truly cost the city.
Another discussion, and a possible vote on the issue, is expected at the next city council meeting, Nov. 24.