Resident urges Centerville to enforce sidewalk snow removal to keep transit stops accessible

Jason Riley, a nonresident volunteer who said he works frequently in Centerville with people with disabilities, told the Centerville City Council on Jan. 13 that uncleared sidewalks and snow-blocked bus stops create safety and mobility barriers for riders who rely on fixed-route transit and for neighbors who lack other transportation options.

Riley said the city code and city website indicate property owners are responsible for keeping sidewalks across their frontage clear. He described how his progressive vision loss makes him dependent on sidewalk surfaces to navigate and said the recent storms left some people unable to reach bus stops. "You can't do that when the path is covered with snow and the crosswalks are where the snow ends up piled up," he said, adding that fixed-route fares have risen to about $2.20 per boarding while paratransit fares he described are about $4, making sidewalk access essential for people who cannot afford door-to-door service.

The council heard that the city code language referenced by Riley—quoted in public comment as a requirement that "no owner or occupant of lots or lands abutting any sidewalk, curb, or gutter shall fail to keep the sidewalks, curbs, and gutters in repair and free from any nuisance"—exists on the books but is difficult to enforce at scale. City staff said their storm response priorities put arterial and street clearance first and that the municipal crew resources used to clear streets after the first storm were deployed around the clock for multiple days.

Council members and staff discussed possible non-enforcement responses. Deputy Mayor Belinda Kenley and other council members suggested the city coordinate volunteer efforts after storms and use the council's existing faith-leader networks and other community groups to target known problem locations, especially around bus stops. City staff said the city previously maintained a volunteer list but that the list had fallen out of date; staff invited residents and community groups to help rebuild a roster of volunteers who could assist neighbors who cannot clear sidewalks.

Council members also noted potential liability and capacity limits. A city official said city crews do not have the resources to inspect and cite all private sidewalks after every storm, and the law director would likely caution about the liability created if city staff or volunteers began clearing private property without clear procedures. Several council members urged practical outreach—reminding property owners after the storm to clear sidewalks and using the city's communication channels and community partners to connect residents in need with volunteers or services.

No ordinance change, new enforcement policy, or formal referral was adopted during the meeting. Council members asked staff to explore outreach and volunteer-based responses and to clarify the municipal code language on the city website so residents understand responsibilities and available resources.

The discussion combined public comment (Jason Riley) with follow-up remarks from the mayor, council members and city staff. Council members said they will consider outreach and volunteer coordination rather than an immediate enforcement sweep.

Riley closed his remarks urging neighbors and property owners to consider clearing sidewalks to keep the community accessible to people using transit and to older or disabled residents.