City issues snow emergency

FORT MADISON - The City of Fort Madison is declaring a Snow Emergency because of the anticipated winter storm events over the next 48 hours. The snow emergency will be in effect for all roadways in Fort Madison starting at 8 p.m tonight and will be extended through 8 p.m. Monday January 15.
The National Weather Service is predicting anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snow locally starting at 6 p.m. Monday through Tuesday night.
The City of Fort Madison has determined that due to previous years history of the high number of properties not clearing snow from sidewalks, the City will perform removal of ice and snow from abutting owners’ property with twelve (12) hours’ notice to persons who have not adequately cleared snow from their sidewalks.
Fort Madison City Code, subsections 7-3-1 requires adjoining property owners to maintain sidewalks free and clear from all snow, ice, and accumulations. Further, subsection 7-3-2 declares that failure to remove snow and ice in a reasonable amount of time is a misdemeanor. Finally, subsection 7-3-3 reads:
7-3-3: ASSESSMENT:
Should snow, ice, or accumulation be permitted to remain upon any sidewalk for more than a reasonable time, the City Engineer, with or without notice to the owner, tenant, or other person in charge of the property abutting upon said sidewalk, shall cause said snow, ice, or accumulations to be removed, and the expenses of removal shall be specially assessed to the abutting property, in accordance with Section 1-6-9 of this Code. (Ord. A-67, 12-28-53; amd. Ord. B-292, 9-4-79)
Therefore, beginning January 15, 2024, the City will begin posting 12-hour notices on non-compliant properties, and begin clearing all sidewalks of snow not adequately cleared by the property owner within that timeframe. Minimum charge for any abatement is $50.00. All charges will be assessed to the property taxes in the form of a special assessment per City Code 6-4-3(C)(1)(b).