HomeMy Public PortalAbout088-2005 - General Ordinance - Amends Chapter 75 of the City Code (snow emergency)ORDINANCE NO. 88-2005
A GENERAL ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 75 OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND CODE REGARDING SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond has previously adopted an ordinance regarding snow
Emergency routes; and
WHEREAS, many of the provisions of the current snow emergency route ordinance have not been reviewed or updated in such a significant period of time that it is now necessary to update
and upgrade the ordinance in full; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond is committed to protecting public safety and a complete revision of the current snow emergency route ordinance will best serve this purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is in the City of Richmond’s best interest to revise in full Section 75 of the City of Richmond Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Richmond that current Section 75 of the City Code be modified as follows:
CHAPTER 75: WEATHER EMERGENCY ROUTES
SECTION
Definitions
Mayor’s Declarations
Issuance of Weather Warnings and Emergencies
Parking Regulations during Weather Emergencies
Snow Emergency Routes Designated
Snow Clearing of Sidewalks, Driveways, and Mailboxes
75.99 Penalty
Sec. 75.01 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
Collector Streets means the central street or drive into each residential area.
Roadway means the entire width of the road or street open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder.
Side Streets means the residential streets or roadways that intersect the collector streets.
Snow Emergency means a particular type of travel emergency caused by winter weather conditions including ice, freezing rain, sleet, snow, blowing and drifting snow and/or blizzards.
Snow Emergency Routes - Those streets marked as such in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Travel Emergency means a situation, actual or impending, which represents hazardous conditions for the normal use of roadways which may be caused by or result from accumulations of ice,
freezing rain, sleet, snow, blowing drifting snow, blizzards, flood water, high water, wind caused damage, roadway damage or any other hazardous event.
Travel Warning means an advisory communication issued to warn vehicle operators of conditions which present a hazard to the normal operation of motor vehicles on roadways. A Travel
Warning may be issued for a hazardous event which affects the normal use of roadways.
Sec. 75.02 Mayor’s Declarations.
If the Mayor, or the Mayor’s designee, determines that actual or expected weather conditions are creating or will create hazardous or dangerous roadway conditions of sufficient severity
to require specialized travel procedures, the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee shall have the authority to declare that any of the following conditions exists:
Travel Warning—Level I
Travel Emergency—Level II or III
Snow Emergency—Level II or III
All Travel and Snow Emergencies shall be declared by the Mayor or, the Mayor’s designee, by issuing an announcement on local radio, television, and/or other news services. Such declaration
shall include the action taken by the Mayor, the time the action became or will become effective, and areas affected. Such declaration shall be recorded by the Mayor or Mayor’s designee
indicating the time and date when any declaration is announced to the public under this section.
Once declared, the Travel or Snow Emergency shall continue until the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee declares the prohibition terminated, in
whole or in part, in the same manner as provided for its declaration in Section 75.02 (b) above.
Sec. 75.03 Issuance of Weather Warnings and Emergencies.
Travel Warning—Level I
The following conditions, requirements or restrictions apply under a Level I Travel Warning:
Travel Warnings may be issued whenever situations exist which may present hazardous driving conditions for motor vehicles on City roadways. Hazardous driving conditions which may affect
roadways include high water, ice or snow, trees or limbs down on roads, utility poles or power lines blocking roads, damage debris on the roads or other situations.
All warnings issued under this ordinance shall be publicly announced by means of television and radio broadcasts located within a normal operating range covering Wayne County, Indiana.
The termination of a Travel Warning shall be announced in the same manner when the condition or conditions which gave rise to the warning no longer exist.
Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, when a travel warning is issued, no unusual restriction on travel or parking of motor vehicles on City roadways are imposed or implied.
Motorists are free to travel at their discretion, but should exercise caution to ensure the safe operation of their vehicle.
A Travel Emergency issued pursuant to this chapter shall supersede any Travel Warning issued for the same event, roadways, or area.
Travel Emergency—Level II: Essential Travel Only Permitted
The following conditions, requirements or restrictions apply under a Level II Travel Emergency or Snow Emergency:
Under a Travel Emergency—Essential Travel Only, Roadways are, or are expected to be, closed or impassable in major sections of the City and travel represents a risk of injury to motorists.
When the primary hazard causing the Travel Emergency is a winter weather event, such as ice, freezing rain, or snow, this particular type of Travel Emergency will be announced as a
“Snow Emergency—Essential Travel Only.”
Only essential travel shall be permitted. Essential travel includes travel :
To and from work;
To obtain essential medical care;
To obtain essential medications;
To obtain essential supplies of food or fuel;
To a place of safe shelter.
Employers shall use discretion in implementing an emergency response plan for their employees.
Travel or Snow Emergencies permitting only essential travel shall be publicly announced, as shall their termination, in the manner described in section 75.02.
Travel Emergency—Level III: Travel Prohibited
The following conditions, requirements or restrictions apply under a Level III Travel Emergency or Snow Emergency:
Under a Travel Emergency—Travel Prohibited, a major portion of the roadway network is closed or impassable, and conditions make it impossible to safely operate roadway. When the primary
hazard causing the Travel Emergency is a winter weather event, such as ice, freezing rain, or snow, this particular type of Travel Emergency will be announced as a “Snow Emergency—Travel
Prohibited”
Travel is prohibited to all vehicles, except for the following personnel who are at that time engaged in necessary emergency actions:
Emergency Personnel includes rostered members of law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency medical services, search and rescue organizations, rescue squads, military, disaster
relief organizations, partner organizations, emergency management and requested mutual aid personnel.
Critical Occupations includes employees of utility companies, highway departments, wrecker services, fuel suppliers, hospital and healthcare organizations, news media and railroad employees.
Any motorists traveling when prohibited shall be in violation of this section and fined $50.00.
Travel or Snow Emergencies prohibiting travel shall be publicly announced, as shall their termination, in the manner described in section 75.02.
Sec. 75.04 Traffic Prohibitions during Weather Emergencies.
The following conditions, requirements or restrictions apply under a Level II or Level III Travel Emergency or Snow Emergency:
Any vehicle parked, stalled, incapable of moving under its own power or left unattended on any street designated as a Snow Emergency Route shall be issued a fine, towed, and impounded.
The owner of any vehicle in violation of this section shall be responsible for all fines, towing, and storage fees.
Sec. 75.05 Snow Emergency Routes Designated.
The following streets or portions of streets within the City are designated as Snow Emergency Routes:
Main Roadways
Indiana Avenue NW 5th to State Hospital
Williamsburg Pike to State Right of Way
NW L Street Bridge Avenue to Salisbury Road
Salisbury Road Industries Road to U.S. 40
NW 5th/SW 5th Street U.S. 40 to Williamsburg Pike
Bridge Avenue from beginning to end
Sim Hodgin Parkway U.S. 27 to Hub Etchinson Ave.
Hub Etchinson Ave U.S. 40 to G Street
G Street Bridge Hub Etchinson Ave to South 5th
Abington Pike G Street to Test Road
Toschlog Road U.S. 40 to City limits
Liberty Ave South 5th to City limits
Wernle Road South 9th to City limits
Sheridan Street Richmond Avenue to end
Sylvan Nook Drive U.S. 27 to dead end
North E Street South 8th Street to Glen Miller Park
South E Street South 5th Street to Henley Road
South 23rd Street Main Street to South L Street
Henley Road East Main Street to Wernle Road
West Eaton Pike East Main Street to City limits
Hodgin Road Henley to Industrial Parkway
Garwood Road U.S. 40 to Hodgin Road
South 37th Street U.S. 40 to Hodgin Road
South L Street Liberty Avenue to Henley Road
Fort Wayne Avenue from beginning to end
Richmond Avenue North 5th to NW 9th Street
North D Street Fort Wayne Ave to North 5th Street
North 5th/South 5th Richmond Ave to South Q Street
South 13th Street Main Street to South 14th Street
Main Street Salisbury Road to South 11th Street
4th Street North E Street to South E Street
5th Street North E Street to South E Street
6th Street North E Street to South E Street
7th Street North E Street to South E Street
10th Street South A Street to North E Street
2nd Street South A Street to North E Street
Rich Road Williamsburg Pike to Salisbury Rd
NW 11th Street NW L to Rich Road
Progress Drive NW 5th to NW 11th
Union Pike NW 5th to Industries Road
Industries Road Round Barn Road to S.R. 27
Round Barn Road U.S. 40 to Gaar Jackson Road
Gaar Jackson Road Salisbury to Round Barn Road
Crowe Road Salisbury to Round Barn Road
NW 18th/SW 18th from U.S. 40 to State Hospital
NW 13th/SW 13th from U.S. 40 to State Hospital
G Street Hub Etchinson Ave to College Ave
College Ave U.S. 40 to Dead end
Hidden Valley Drive U.S. 40 to end
Test Road Liberty Ave to Abington Pike
South Q Street Liberty Ave to South 8th Street
Peacock Road NW 5th Street to Salisbury Road
Waterfall Road from bridge to Sheridan Street
Oak Park Drive from beginning to end
University Blvd U.S. 27 to end
North J Street U.S. 27 to North E Street
North 10th Street U.S. 27 to North E Street
North F Street North 10th to North 19th Street
North 10th Street North E Street to South A Street
North 22nd Street North E Street to South E Street
Southeast Parkway Henley Road to South E Street
Industrial Parkway U.S. 40 to Hodgin Road
Backmeyer Road Garwood Road to Henley Road
Gravel Pit Road U.S. 40 to City limits
Hayes Aboretum Road U.S. 40 to City limits
Elks Road U.S. 40 to City limits
North 20th Street North E Street to East Main Street
South 14th Street Boston Pike to South 13th Street
North 20th Street Hawkins Road to East Main Street
Service Drives downtown area
Snow removal crews will first work to keep the main roadways clear during a declared Snow Emergency.
After main roadways are cleared first, then snow removal crews will next work to have snow removed from the collector streets in residential areas during a declared Snow Emergency.
Sec. 75.06 Clearing of Sidewalks, Driveways, and Mailboxes.
The following conditions, requirements or restrictions apply under a Level II or Level III Travel Emergency or Snow Emergency:
Driveways and Mailboxes: Driveways and areas around mailboxes may become impassable due to snow removal operations. When this occurs it is the responsibility of the property owner
to remove the snow from the driveway and the area around a mailbox.
Sidewalks: It is the duty of the occupant, or owner if there is no occupant, of a tenement, building, lot, or parcel of land in the City, fronting on any improved sidewalk to clean
the sidewalk in front of the tenement, building, lot, or parcel of land, of snow or ice, by 10:00 a.m. of each day, and to keep it clean of snow or ice.
Private Property using Street for Snow Removal: Persons shall not push snow from parking lots, driveways or property into the street.
Sec. 75.99 Penalty.
The owner or operator of any vehicle violating any provision of this chapter shall be fined $50.00.
Any person violating any provision other than 75.99(a) of this chapter is subject to a fine ranging from Ten Dollars ($10.00) to One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per violation.
Passed and adopted this _19th__ day of _December___ 2005, by the Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana.
_S/S Bruce Wissel___________, President
(Bruce Wissel)
ATTEST: _S/S Karen Chasteen______, City Clerk
(Karen Chasteen)
PRESENTED to the Mayor of the City of Richmond, Indiana, this _20th__ day of _December___, 2005, at 9:00 a.m.
_S/S Karen Chasteen_______, City Clerk
(Karen Chasteen)
APPROVED by me, Sarah L. Hutton, Mayor of the City of Richmond, Indiana, this _20th_ day of _December___, 2005, at 9:05 a.m.
_S/S Sarah L. Hutton___________, Mayor
(Sarah L. Hutton)
ATTEST: _S/S Karen Chasteen_____, City Clerk
(Karen Chasteen)