The snow emergency isn’t over when it’s over -figuratively and literally.

Thursday, December 21, 2000

The snow emergency isn’t over when it’s over -figuratively and literally.

Since last Saturday, snow storms have become an almost daily occurrence in Mower County.

Mower County highway department crews have over 400 miles of county roads to clear. Individual city crews have miles of streets to keep clear of snow.

In Austin, street department crews have more than 130 miles to keep open to traffic within the city limits.

With over a foot of snow accumulated only in the last six days, snow removal problems have been compounded by residents.

It is against city ordinance to blow or throw snow into streets.

The city’s street department joined the Austin Police Department in making a joint announcement to remind residents it is against the law to place snow into the traveled portions of streets.

"The Austin Police Department works in cooperation with the Austin Street Department to provide the ultimate benefit to the citizens of Austin, during designated snow emergencies, but we need the citizens’ cooperation, too," said Police Chief Paul M. Philipp.

The latest 72-hour snow emergency is due to expire today, but could be extended.

The snow emergency ordinance prohibits parking in the greater downtown area as well as Sterling Shopping Center and East Side business district areas overnight when the ordinance is in effect.

Also, it provides for calendar day parking only during the 72-hour period in residential areas.

"We have received a lot of complaints from citizens in residential areas, saying they have been wrongfully ticketed for leaving their vehicles on the street," said Philipp. "However, what they fail to realize is that the snow emergency ordinance is not in effect until their side of the street has been cleared, but the entire 72-hour period. If it is extended, that will mean an even longer period of time."

The calendar day parking restriction allows parking along city streets on the even-side on even days of the month and odd-side on odd numbered days.

Because city street department crews must make more than one pass to ensure a street is cleared of snow to allow safe travel, any vehicles parked in the way – illegally – will be ticketed and towed.

This means the vehicle owners will not only have a $10 fine to pay, but a towing fee as well to retrieve their vehicles from impound.

Snowmobiler problems, too

Also plaguing residents and law enforcement are snowmobilers.

Many complaints have been received at the Austin – Mower County Law Enforcement Center about snowmobilers.

Operators of snowmobiles must only use the most direct route from their residence to the nearest route to leave the city limits for a designated snowmobile trail.

They cannot drive across private property and must observe all other traffic safety laws, including staying at the far right of a street.

Snowmobiles are not allowed to be operated at greater speeds than 10 miles per hour, according to the ordinance.

Lastly, they cannot be operated after 10:30 p.m.

In the county, authorities are using a civil trespass law to prosecute snowmobilers who violate the law.

Enacted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the civil trespass law provides for fishing and hunting privileges to be revoked rather than criminal sanctions.