Spring may be just around the corner, but until warmer weather arrives, the city reminds residents to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice.

“We’ve had a lot of snow and rain this winter,” said City Administrator Lisa Kuss. “We are asking residents who have a sidewalk abutting their property to please be sure that they throw salt or sand on the sidewalks to keep them clear.”

Kuss said the city has been having some issues with residents not clearing their sidewalks in a timely manner. When this happens, city employees hang tags on property owners’ doors, warning them that their sidewalks need to be cleared immediately.

“Each year, the city hangs tags on sidewalks that are not cleared. The city has been taking numerous calls the past few weeks about the sidewalks that are not passable because of snow and ice,” said Kuss. “In addition, city ordinance requires that the property owners keep the sidewalks clear. The purpose of the ordinance is for the safe travel of pedestrians and wheelchair bound people. This is the reason for adoption and enforcement of such an ordinance. The city believes that this is an important part of keeping Clintonville a pedestrian friendly community for all who live, work and visit here.”

Kuss said the city has hung 126 door tags in the month of February alone.

“On Feb. 4, 31 tags were hung. On Feb. 20, 81 tags were hung. On Feb. 21, 15 tags were hung,” said Kuss. “Of the 96 tags that were hung on Feb. 20-21, only 19 required city contracted workers to come back to complete the work on Feb. 22 because the owner failed to do so. All of the city streets were walked by an employee, and there were 42 different streets that had at least on house tagged.”

Kuss explained that city employees check the sidewalks about 24 hours after it has stopped snowing. About 24 hours after the hanger is hung, a contractor hired by the city will come back and clear the sidewalk if it has not already been cleared.

A bill for the work done by the contractor is sent to the property owner or tenant based on the linear footage of the sidewalk that was cleared.

“The property owner or tenant pays what the City pays to have the contractor clear the sidewalk,” said Kuss. “We pay 95 cents per foot for snow removal, and 40 cents per foot for salt/sand, plus a $25 service charge each time, so bills can range from approximately $40-$250. If it is not paid, it will be placed on the property tax bill.”

Kuss said city employees were out again on Tuesday, March 5, to hang about 125 more tags.

City residents can stop at the Municipal Garage on Bennett Street and get one free five-gallon bucket of sand/salt mix, provided that they bring their own container and shovel.

Residents with questions or concerns regarding this issue can contact Kuss at 715-823-7600.

Clintonville residents urged to keep sidewalks clear