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Dike council adopts updated snow emergency ordinance to modernize notices and parking rules
Summary
The Dike City Council unanimously approved revisions to the snow emergency ordinance on Feb. 11, allowing the mayor or designee to declare snow emergencies, requiring at least a 48-hour parking prohibition once effective, authorizing towing after 48 hours for violations, and authorizing notice via the city's social media and local TV outlets.
The Dike City Council on Feb. 11 unanimously adopted changes to the city's snow emergency ordinance that modernize how the city declares and notifies residents of snow emergencies and set clearer enforcement and fine provisions.
Council member Camarata introduced Resolution #0211202601 to approve the ordinance's first reading and Council member Lynch later introduced Resolution #0211202602 for the third and final reading; both measures were adopted by roll call votes with Camarata, Beninga, Mikkelsen, Kauten and Lynch voting aye.
The ordinance permits the mayor or a designated official to declare a snow emergency based on falling precipitation or forecasts from the United States Weather Bureau or other weather services. Once declared, the ordinance requires the snow emergency to take effect no earlier than four hours after declaration and remain in force for at least 48 hours unless changed or canceled. The ordinance also specifies that parking is prohibited on any city street during a declared snow emergency and continues that prohibition for a minimum 48 hours.
The new notice provisions allow the city to inform the public by posting on the City of Dike's social media page (for example, Facebook) and by contacting Waterloo/Cedar Falls-area television stations to request public service announcements; the mayor or designee may take other appropriate actions to inform the public. The measure also allows issuing a parking violation and, if a vehicle is not moved within 48 hours of the citation, authorizes towing at the city's discretion to an impound location.
The ordinance replaces the city's prior code sections on snow restrictions and updates fines for parking violations tied to repeat offenses (first offense $10, second $15, third and subsequent $25). The council used the authority in Iowa Code 380.3 to move the ordinance from first to third reading in a single meeting.
The ordinance becomes effective after passage and publication as required by law.
