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Committee asks administration for report on sidewalk snow and ice removal (Motion 1039)
Summary
Council Member Seth Walsh introduced and the committee passed Motion 1039 directing the administration to evaluate the city's sidewalk snow-and-ice removal policy, covering effectiveness, compliance and enforcement, equity, and areas for improvement; the item passed without objection.
Council Member Seth Walsh introduced Motion 1039 at the Climate, Environment & Infrastructure Committee meeting, asking the administration to prepare a report evaluating the City of Cincinnati’s current sidewalk snow‑and‑ice removal policy, including effectiveness, consistency of compliance, enforcement practices, equity issues and areas for improvement.
"This report is not increasing fines. It is not increasing punitive behavior… It is merely asking our administration to take a deep dive at it and come back to us with areas that they see for possible improvements," Walsh said, framing the motion as a diagnostic request rather than new penalties for residents.
Walsh said the motion grew out of calls and concerns the council has received after a recent heavy snow event, and specifically cited problems that emerged when snowplows pushed snow back onto cleared sidewalks. He said the goal is to ensure sidewalks are safe for people walking to transit and to avoid situations where people must walk in the street.
Council Member Mark Jeffries described the issue as a safety concern for seniors, people using wheelchairs and children getting to school, and urged that the report outline improvements the city needs to make to its own sidewalks before pursuing enforcement of private owners.
"Before we go after private owners, we need to take care of our own shop," Jeffries said, pointing to city‑owned sidewalks near parks and rec centers that he said require attention.
Vice Chair Ryan James and other members said the motion aligned with broader agenda items on pedestrian safety and maintenance. The chair noted that state law currently assigns primary responsibility for sidewalk maintenance to property owners; committee members said that reality should inform any proposed changes or recommended city support.
The committee passed Motion 1039 "without any objection," and the chair said the body looked forward to receiving a thorough report from the administration.
The motion's language in the meeting asked for an evaluation and for identification of funding needs and practical steps; no change to fines, specific enforcement actions or any implementation plan was adopted during the session.
The committee filed the motion as passed and adjourned.
