The Lake Elmo City Council discussed proposed updates to the city’s sidewalk snow‑removal ordinance May 6 but chose to table the item for further review and more information on scope and costs.

Staff summary and intent: city staff returned to council with a draft ordinance change that would define sidewalks and identify sections of paved trail in road rights‑of‑way that could be covered by the city’s snow‑removal obligations or be assigned to property owners or homeowners associations. Staff noted the draft targeted paved trails within the road right‑of‑way and would not apply to trails located in separate outlots.

Examples and concerns: staff walked council members through multiple sections of city trails and sidewalks — including segments on Keats Avenue, Lake Elmo Avenue and other corridors — and noted a mix of responsibilities (private residents, homeowners associations, public works or abutting property owners). Council members raised equity and enforceability concerns because the inventory is a "hodgepodge" of short segments where some properties abut concrete sidewalks while adjacent segments are bituminous trail that currently carry different obligations.

County right‑of‑way and cost questions: council members asked whether county roads with trails in the county right‑of‑way would become a city cost if covered by the ordinance. Staff said maintenance agreements and historical arrangements vary, and staff recommended more data and cost estimates before committing to clearing long county corridors such as Keats Avenue or Lake Elmo Avenue.

Decision to table: after discussion one council member moved to table the ordinance update to the next meeting; the motion to table passed by voice vote. Staff was directed to return with clearer options, cost/time estimates for likely county‑road segments and recommended communication strategies for affected property owners and homeowners associations.