Sidewalk snow removal has “fallen” before the Toledo City Council.

Discussion denatured for a time on the recent snowfalls, enforcement and sometimes the difficulty of its removal at the regular meeting of the Toledo City Council on Monday, Jan. 27, These issues along with the possibility of more foot traffic if the STC Middle School is relocated to Tama added to the mix.

How much a social media post by former council member Travis Mullen played a role in prompting the discussion was unclear, but Mullen pointed to the U.S. Highway 63 (South County Road) route as a concern. (See accompanying report of Mullen’s post.)

Superintendent of Public Works Kendall Jordan identified the difficulty in clearing the walkway along U.S. 63 over the U.S. Highway 30 Expressway. He said no present city equipment other than a snow shovel and bucket can be used to remove snow from it due to its width. Iowa DOT snow plowing and blading regularly fills in the overpass sidewalk, he said.

In any case, Jordan said the city crew will clear this overpass if the council chooses.

Council member Joe Boll said the issue for U.S. 63 was more than the bridge as the sidewalk leading to the overpass is not usually cleared in front of businesses. There are seven business properties and a pair of vacant lots on the east side of the highway and south of Business Highway 30 to the Tama city limits line.

People are often observed on foot between Toledo and Tama and to the businesses and services which line the corridor.

Concern was also voiced if more foot traffic develops if the South Tama Middle school in Toledo is closed and relocated in a new addition to the high school in Tama. Located on the west side of U.S. 63 (Harding Street) the new location could call for a crossover or cross wall it was said.

A suggestion of building a sidewalk on West Summit Street from South Broadway to U.S. Highway 63 could link the walkway on Broadway with the sidewalk on the highway. Jordan said the Broadway overpass walkway is wide enough for city equipment to clear to remove snow.

It was mentioned to access school property located on the west side of U.S. 63 a crosswalk or pedestrian crossover is likely to be needed.

Snow

Police Chief Nathan Shepard said his department has been active recently in informing property owners to clear sidewalks if they have not been done. He said about a dozen notices had been served and usually have been complied with.

No citations had been issued as of the council meeting Shepard said, but about a dozen notices to clear sidewalks had been served he said.

The Toledo City Clerk’s Office told The Chronicle a property owner is billed $200 if the city removes snow from sidewalks.

Shepard said the issue of business property sidewalks which have not been cleared continues. He said the council knows of “the problems which arise serving them notices” and believes a future determination by he council on enforcement will aid police in taking action.

Council member Darvin Graham called for the sidewalk issue to be kept in front of the council saying he believed there were enough persons walking in the community to merit a solution.

In business on Monday the council:

approved the appointments of Dallas Boerm and Ryan Melton to two vacant sports on the Planning and Zoning Commission. They join Sarah Dostal, chair, and members Jeff Weitzell, Verlene Horbach, Roger Gilbreath and Sandra Atchison on the seven-member commission.

set a public hearing for Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center on the proposed general obligation loan agreement not to exceed $105,000 to be used for the purchase of fire and police departments equipment and for financing improvements to the police station.

approved a resolution for the transfer totaling $1,979 for health insurance payments made by former employees eligible for COBRA insurance coverage to employee benefit fund from the general fund.

approved the Quality Roofing and siding, Marshalltown, contractor bid and the contract for owner occupied housing rehabilitation at 208 S. County Road owned by Michael Swanson totaling $29,325. A second bid from Tom Blake Construction in the amount of $30,275 was also received.

heard a review of city insurance from Matt Zmolek, Independent Insurance representative.

approved the joint purchase with the City of Tama for roadway crack sealing equipment at a cost totaling $30,519 to each city.

approved a contract with Base Company for insurance compliance assistance at a cost of $2,500 annually.

approved a beer permit sales license renewal for Kwik Trip, In. and a liquor sales license renewal for Fareway Stores, Inc.