Two Rivers council adopts revised sidewalk snow-and-ice ordinance, sets per-foot fee

The Two Rivers City Council voted on Nov. 17 to amend the municipal code governing sidewalk snow-and-ice removal, a measure city staff said responds to last winter’s complaints and clarifies enforcement procedures.

Public Works staff told the council the ordinance replaces the prior language that required removal within a strict 24-hour window with a "reasonable time" provision that is presumed to be 24 hours but allows prosecutorial discretion. The amendment also expands which officials or designees may require clearing (naming the city engineer, public works director and other designees in addition to prior roles) and changes how the city will calculate recovery costs: instead of a prior averaging method, the city will publish a per-linear-foot fee and itemize any additional justifiable costs on invoices.

During an extended debate, council members raised concerns about the ordinance’s effect on residents after a light "dusting" of snow, the practical burden on older residents, and whether private contractors readily respond to small accumulations. The city attorney explained the legal context under state statute, noting the statute requires municipalities to act to keep sidewalks clear and that a city can incur liability after being on notice for extended periods; the attorney said the revised language provides the city flexibility while helping reduce unexpected costs for residents.

Staff clarified the recovery fee would be set at a published per-linear-foot rate (staff stated the unit fee as $1.25 per foot during the discussion) to address last year’s complaints about variable invoicing. After questions and amendments were discussed, councilors moved the ordinance forward and adopted it by roll-call vote. Council members and staff said the new language is intended to be more lenient than the prior text and can be revisited in future amendments.