No one speaks in favor of Youngstown snow-removal proposal

YOUNGSTOWN ­— The city’s proposal to bill downtown business owners at least $150 if they don’t clear snow and ice from sidewalks by 7 a.m. the day after it snows received a cool reception at a public hearing today.

Of the 12 people at the city council hearing on the proposed law, no one spoke in favor of it.

Three opposed it and a fourth sent a letter against it.

It was the largest crowd for a city council public hearing for a proposed ordinance in a few years.

The proposal would require those in the central business district to remove snow and ice from city sidewalks by 7 a.m. on the day after it snows with a minimum 42-inch cleared path. If a sidewalk is fewer than 42 inches wide, the full width must be cleared.

Failure to remove snow and ice by 7 a.m. could result in a $150 fine per occurrence for up to 100 linear feet, and $250 per occurrence for 100 linear feet or more, according to the proposed ordinance.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com