[E-updates] Snow plows will hit the streets tomorrow; citizens have a role in snow removal

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE	City of Lawrence, Kansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2003

CONTACT:  Tom Orzulak, street division manager, Public Works
(785) 832-3021

Snow plows will hit the streets tomorrow; citizens have a role in snow
removal

(LAWRENCE, KS) - Every year, the Street Maintenance Division conducts a
practice of the snow removal plan.  For the 2003 winter weather season,
review of the plan will be on Tuesday, November 4.  Thirty-seven employees
from the Street Maintenance Division will be inspecting equipment, locating
the required gear and traveling their assigned routes streets.

The annual practice provides an opportunity to review the plan and
incorporate approximately ten new miles of street as well as train
employees.  The practice will begin at 7:30am at the Street Maintenance
facility at 11th Street and Haskell Avenue and will conclude by 4pm.

As winter weather approaches, Lawrence citizens are reminded of the snow and
ice removal ordinance.  To make public sidewalks safe for pedestrians, the
owner or occupant of property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk is
responsible for the removal of any snow or ice that accumulates on the
sidewalk.  Removal must be done within 24 hours after the ice forms or the
snowfall ends.

In the event that removal of ice is impossible, the property owner or
occupant is required to place sand on the sidewalk within 24 hours.

In a situation where a property owner or occupant fails to comply with the
ordinance and the Department of Neighborhood Resources receives a complaint,
an inspector will notify the occupant and property owner with a written
notice of the violation and order the prompt removal of snow or ice.
Failure to remove the snow or ice within 5 days after the violation notice
may result in a citation.  Property owners will be assessed a fine of $20
for each day the violation occurs, if found guilty of the violation.

For more information on the snow and ice removal ordinance, contact the
Department of Neighborhood Resources, (785) 832-7700.

-END-

For more information about the Public Works snow removal plan, contact Tom
Orzulak, street division manager at (785) 832-3021.

For more information about the snow and ice removal ordinance, contact Barry
Walthall, codes enforcement manager at (785) 832-3101.



_____________________________
Lisa K. Patterson
Communications Coordinator
City of Lawrence
PO Box 708
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-3406
fax (785) 832-3405
lpatterson@ci.lawrence.ks.us
http://www.lawrenceks.org