Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sidewalk Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident tells Muncie City board sidewalks were left uncleared and plows pushed snow onto ADA ramp
Summary
Resident Zane Bishop told the Board that sidewalks along Walnut Street, McKinley neighborhood and downtown were not cleared after the last snowstorm, cited City code 96.32 requiring property owners to clear sidewalks by 10 a.m., and said he will submit questions to the dais; a board member asked for clarification and received an affirmative response.
Resident Zane Bishop told the Board of Public Works and Safety on Feb. 4 that sidewalks near Walnut Street, the McKinley neighborhood and downtown were not cleared following a recent snowstorm and that city plows have pushed snow from vehicle travel lanes onto sidewalks and crosswalks, including an ADA ramp at the corner of City Hall.
Bishop said the city has been responsible for maintaining certain sidewalks since 2021 but that, in his observation, crews have been ‘‘plowing parking lanes onto sidewalks and onto crosswalks even as the snow is disappearing,’’ while leaving other major streets uncleared. He quoted City code 96.32: "City code 96.32 requires owners' occupants and or responsible parties to, quote, by 10AM each morning, clean clean the sidewalk in front and keep it free from snow and ice during the day." Bishop said it took two hours to clear a 200-foot sidewalk path that city plows could redeposit in seconds and that he would submit written questions to the dais.
A board member asked for clarification about whether owners are required to clear sidewalks under the ordinance; the board discussion included "I believe so." No directive, enforcement action or timeline for follow-up was recorded in the meeting minutes or transcript.
