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City council approves first reading of snow‑and‑ice code changes, adds $20 administrative fee and appeal process
Summary
Council approved a first reading of an amendment to Chapter 12.44 adding a $20 administrative fee for city‑hired snow removal on nuisance properties and a formal appeals process to appear before council.
The Decorah City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 12.44 of the Municipal Code on Dec. 15 to strengthen enforcement for snow and ice accumulation.
Staff said the draft adds a $20 administrative fee to cover costs when the city hires a contractor to abate snow and ice on properties that fail to comply. It also provides a due‑process step: property owners billed for abatement will receive notice that they may appear before council at a scheduled "snow and ice appeals" agenda item to contest the assessment.
City staff described enforcement as complaint‑based and estimated the city effectively pursues abatement on a small share of violations—about 10–20 properties per year. Council members discussed edge cases such as snow redeposited on sidewalks by city plows and the special challenges of California‑curb properties where sidewalks are directly adjacent to the curb; staff said they are adjusting snow‑removal operations in some locations to minimize that problem.
A motion for the first reading was made and seconded; council approved the first reading on roll call. The item will return for a future second reading and final adoption.
