Icy sidewalks violate the law, but owners slide

The law is difficult to enforce, a city official said.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Icy sidewalks pose a danger to pedestrians and violate a city ordinance, but city officials say there is little to nothing they can do to remedy the situation.
A city ordinance requires people to maintain the sidewalks in front of their properties, including the removal of snow and ice, said Carmen S. Conglose Jr., deputy director of the city's public works department.
"Even if it's a vacant building, the property owner still has responsibilities," he said. "But in situations with inclement weather it's difficult to take any meaningful action because the situation is abated before we can do anything."
Property owners who are in violation of city ordinances are notified in writing, typically through the mail, about the problems, and given a prescribed amount of time to get in compliance, Conglose said.
"In cases of slippery sidewalks, we don't send out notices," he said.
Letters mailed
If letters were given to property owners to remove ice and/or snow, they would typically be mailed, and the owners would have about one week to two weeks after getting the letter to comply with the city law, Conglose said.
By that time, the ice and/or snow is gone, he said.
"It's very difficult to enforce," Conglose said.
The city gets only one or two complaints about ice and/or snow on sidewalks annually, Conglose said.
"We call [the property owners] and ask them to give attention to the sidewalk, and in most cases they do," he said.
The most significant noncompliance problem is with owners of vacant buildings, Conglose said.
That was evident Thursday as sidewalks in front of a number of downtown vacant properties were covered in ice in the afternoon, hours after an overnight storm. Among the main slippery spots were in front of vacant buildings on and near the intersection of West Federal and Phelps streets.
"For the most part, businesses downtown do an excellent job in clearing the sidewalks," Conglose said. "The issue is with the vacant buildings."
Councilman's concerns
With foot traffic downtown increasing in the past year because of new businesses and the Chevrolet Centre's opening, it's vital that the sidewalks are clear, said Councilman Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, whose ward includes downtown.
"It should be as safe as possible," he said. "We can't have people falling. We have an ordinance on the books. I know there are problems with enforcement, but it's necessary to get this addressed. It's important to make sure we don't have this problem."
skolnick@vindy.com