Walkable City?

[Jim O'Bryan]

I started this thread for a more clear discussion on walks, walking, snow removal, and
who is supposed to do what, when and how.

As I have been following the thread transparency in schools, and School Board President,
Matthew Markling, taking the full brunt of the heat for walks not being cleaned, possibly
because he is one of the few if not only elected officials willing to carry on a public
discussion and take the answers and heat. I have to say, everyone has done a very
mediocre job of 'keeping this walkable city walkable.

I have been out taking photos of old people being forced into the ice as there is but one
small icy strip that is walkable on Detroit Ave. even less on Madison, and wonder if this
is not a safety issue on a grand level? How much have we dumped into "Downtown"
beautification and attracting businesses to leave the streets impassable for over a week?
Why are joggers and walkers forced into the roads on Clifton, Lake, Franklin, and other
busy streets, and why are homeowners in the senior years being forced to lift and clear
massive icy dams left behind by the snow plows.

I spent some time with plow operators, and most if not all claim they have very good
control of their blades and where the snow goes. I have watched in years past as I drove
with our street crews their ability to do miracles with snow.

Your thoughts, no sense beating Matt over this, he is trying, but is it the schools job to
clear the streets? Or is it that he is the only one willing to try to answer?

Not finding fault, look for ideas.

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[Jim O'Bryan]

This was copied from another thread...

A large corporate gas station on Warren and Franklin is not doing anything, and in fact it made the sidewalks much worse, completely blocking the walks with what is now ice (from clearing their own inside property's pavement for business). But as Meg said, there are plenty of other large businesses who aren't doing a thing, and if they are waiting for their "landlord" or someone else to do it, maybe this is part of the problem. There is no clear assignment of responsibility or accountability, so how can there be any reasonable, consistent compliance or enforcement?

I've become frustrated that it seems so difficult to know whose responsibility it is to clear the damn sidewalks. As a resident, I really don't know if it's mine or my landlord's, and I'd really like to know. There are many who would prefer not to, and how would they ever know?

Looking at the ordinance Matt cited, it's pretty fuzzy there too. It's either my responsibility as an occupant OR it's my landlord's. It doesn't say AND, it says OR. What determines which? Dice? Are tenants in a high rise guilty of a misdemeanor when the walks abutting the property aren't clear? One ultimate clue might be that while the law doesn't clearly state who exactly is going to be guilty of a misdemeanor, it does say who can be billed if the City sees to doing it, and whose property can get a lien put against it: THE OWNER.

The Law:

521.06 DUTY TO KEEP SIDEWALKS IN REPAIR AND CLEAN.
(a) Every owner, occupant or person having charge of any tenement building, lot or land fronting any avenue, street, alley or public highway in the City shall remove and clear away, or cause to be removed or cleared away, snow and ice from a path of at least four feet in width from so much of the sidewalk whether or not flagged or paved as is in front of or abuts such building or lot or land.
No person removing snow from any driveway, sidewalk, public or private parking lot or private premises within the City shall deposit the same on the street, pavement, sidewalk or driveway apron of any public street. (Ord. 3-85. Passed 2-4-85.)
(1) Except as provided in subsection (b) hereof, snow and ice shall be removed from all business districts within the City by 9:00 a.m. of each day.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (b) hereof, snow and ice shall be removed from all other sidewalks within the City on the same day as the cessation of any fall of snow, sleet or freezing rail or not later than 8:00 p.m. after the cessation of such fall, whichever period is longer.
(b) In the event snow and ice on a sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot be removed without the likelihood of damage to the sidewalk, the person or entity charged with its removal, shall within the time mentioned in subsection (a) hereof, cause enough abrasive material or sodium chloride or derivative thereof to be put on the sidewalk to make travel thereon reasonably safe and shall then, as soon thereafter as weather permits, cause such sidewalk to be thoroughly cleaned.
(c) Every owner, occupant or person having charge of any tenement building, lot or land fronting upon any avenue, street, alley or other public highway of the City shall keep the entire width of such sidewalk from curb to lot line, free and clear of all earth, sand, brick, stone, rubbish, dead trees and dead branches of trees or other material which from any cause whatever shall have accumulated or may accumulate upon such sidewalk above the established grade of the same and shall also cut and remove from the sidewalk between the lot and curb line, all weeds, grass and vegetable growths that are more than four inches in height.
(d) If the owner of any building, lot or land fails to comply with the provisions of this section, then the Director of Public Works may remove the snow, ice, earth, sand, brick, stone, rubbish, dead trees or dead branches of trees or other materials, weeds, grass and vegetable growths, from the sidewalk in front of the premises of such owner, and may charge the expense thereof to such owner, and if, upon being notified, he fails to pay the City the amount of such expense, then such amount may be certified by the proper City officer to the County Auditor, and the same shall act as a lien upon the property of such owner, and shall be collected as provided for in the case of special assessments.
(e) For the purpose of this section, the term, business district, as set forth in subsection (a)(1), shall include all properties abutting or within 150 feet of Detroit Avenue from 117th Street to the Detroit Bridge approach; abutting or within 150 feet of Madison Avenue from 117th Street to Riverside Drive; abutting or within 150 feet of 117th Street from Lake Avenue to Berea Road; abutting or within 150 feet of Warren Road from Detroit Avenue to Franklin Boulevard; abutting or within 150 feet of Sloane Avenue from West Clifton Boulevard to Phelps Avenue; abutting or within 150 feet of Berea Road from West 117th Street to the City limits; abutting or within 150 feet of Hilliard Road from Madison Avenue to Woodward Avenue; abutting or within 150 feet of the Detroit Bridge approach from Detroit Avenue to the Rocky River Bridge.
(f) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(Ord. 89-78. Passed 11-6-78.)

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[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

I am re-posting this since I see that the thread moved. However, I think this issue of snow removal really points to a larger problem that we have in our city--the "snow job" provided by many of our elected officials.

From the other thread:

Anyone who has had their child in Lakewood Schools long enough has had the snow removal conversation with school administrators, councilpersons, or the school board at some point. I can remember a couple of years ago that fed-up parents that didn’t even live on Elmwood spent time before and after school to a clear a way for the kids to get to school.

When I moved here from Chicago and started to send my son to Lakewood Schools I couldn’t understand the complacent attitude of the school district about removing snow. We only had one car at the time (living in Chicago you don’t even really need one car) and so I had to walk my child to school—and I had a 2 year old little girl. I am sure all of the parents who have ever tried to take a stroller out in the winter can relate that it just wasn’t happening. It was really impossible to walk to school so my husband started to take the bus to work (Parma) so that I could have the car to drive my kids across the street.

I contacted the superintendent’s office and I probably talked to my principal at the time, but I kept getting the same response, “not our responsibility” or it “costs too much”. My husband and I were perplexed. So, this is a ‘walking’ school district that didn’t clear the walkways for students to get to school? To me, it was common-sense. The school district ought to be clearing the block around the school in collaboration with the city so that all routes are clear. The school district has the responsibility to clear the parking lots and the sidewalks actually on school property—this isn’t always happening. The rest of the city should be the city’s problem.

Enter city and school officials. Get together work it out and determine the best approach to solving this issue. That is what citizens, taxpayers, want you to do. I think this issue provides a great example (and opportunity) of how our school district and the city can work together to solve common problems. Don’t pass the buck. Don’t say it’s impossible or costs too much. Don’t stop talking to citizens or engaging us on how we can make it work better. Everyone wants our kids and citizens to be safe. In the case of the schools, the safety of our kids should be our first priority. Kids need to be in school and parents need to feel good about sending their kids out to walk to school. Work it out-remove the snow. We will be facing enough issues come this summer when our new governor slashes our budget. This is the small stuff. How are we going to handle the big issues?

[Jim O'Bryan]

I am re-posting this since I see that the thread moved. However, I think this issue of snow removal really points to a larger problem that we have in our city--the "snow job" provided by many of our elected officials.

Kristine

The thread did not move. Some posters were asking Matt Markling about things the schools
have little or no control over. He had answered, and I believe gotten the schools cleared
by as I was doing this photo project for the Chamber I noticed how impassable Downtown
streets were. I found this odd when we push this area, and how walkable the city is. I was
not aware of any snow job, just wondering why a small storm in Northern Ohio would leave
a city in such state over a week later.

As the schools and city have different responsibilities, as do the residents and business
owners I started a thread for non-school related snow removal.

FWIW

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[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

I can appreciate what you are saying about the entire city, Jim, and I agree. I am sure that many people expect more considering the taxes we pay in Lakewood.

However, the thread was about the snow removal on and around school property. Parents with kids who walk to school, and even those who drop their kids off in icy parking lots and sidewalks, have been frustrated by this issue for a long time. Drivers who have to swerve to miss the older kids walking in the streets, who seemingly have no awareness of the dangerous situation they are causing for themselves and motorists, are frustrated. It makes sense that the city and the school district have an obligation to work together toward making getting to school safer. It is obvious to me that both the city and the school district needs to take our concerns more seriously. Do we really want to have a terrible accident in our community? I have contacted my councilperson on street issues in the past that have effected school safety...I always get the same answer, "It's not us, it's them". Snow removal around and on school property was an issue long before Matt was on the school board or board president. It is long overdue to be addressed. It just so happens that now Matt is president, and I hope, in a position to do something about it. I am sure that he will do his job well and report to all of us when a plan is developed for the rest of this year and next. He shouldn't take all of the heat for an issue that we just haven't been able to get solved.

It's simple. People want to know that these issues are being worked out--that their concerns are heard and taken seriously. A meeting was recently held (as was reported on this Deck) --no information came out of it. If we ask the Mayor, as was suggested, will he say, "Ask the School Board President". Citizens shouldn't be put in the middle.

Are we going to have safer sidewalks for Lakewood Students or not?

[Bryan Schwegler]

I think this discussion has come up every single winter on this board since it started, but nothing has changed. Actually it's pretty much been the same as long as I can remember since I've grown up in Lakewood.

Yes it's annoying, and yes there should be something done. Although, I'm not so sure what the answer is.

[Betsy Voinovich]

Kristine said:

It makes sense that the city and the school district have an obligation to work together toward making getting to school safer.

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Okay-- tomorrow we contact our brand new mayor and council members and see what they have to say. We know for sure that our concerns are in secure hands with the School Board, with Matt as the President, which is really good, that's one piece of it; let's see how we do with the other.

I'll be calling and emailing the city. Please join me, and then join me in reporting what happens. It will be fun! I just met Mayor Summers at the Reflections ceremony last week (two weeks ago?) and found him to very approachable and very enthused about the job of being mayor. Bryan, your post just made me sad. My mom, who is in her 70's now, grew up here. I wonder if they had the same snow situation when she went to school.

Maybe with our current officials, elected and appointed, we will be the generation that puts in a plan that works.

Betsy Voinovich

[Bryan Schwegler]

Bryan, your post just made me sad. My mom, who is in her 70's now, grew up here. I wonder if they had the same snow situation when she went to school.

Yeah, it would be interesting to know how far back the problem of shoveling goes. To be honest, one thing that amazes me is all the parents who don't make their kids go out and shovel their own sidewalks, let alone help out elderly neighbors. It seems to be much worse today than even when I was growing up.

That's partially why I get frustrated by the "it's for the children" argument on this issue because "the children" are more than capable of picking up a shovel, but so many parents don't make them do it. This isn't directed at you guys on here, but honestly, I don't understand why so many parents don't make their kids go shovel anything besides their own driveway (if they even make them do that)

[Mike Zannoni]

I make my cats shovel. It takes a really long time, because the shovels are quite small.

[Stan Austin]

Bet they don't take direction well either!

[Mike Zannoni]

That's partially why I get frustrated by the "it's for the children" argument on this issue because "the children" are more than capable of picking up a shovel, but so many parents don't make them do it.

Yes, children can and should help their parents. But the "for the children" issue at hand is the walk to school, up to a mile for some, that can be very difficult and treacherous and time intensive if there are large numbers of residents, landlords and businesses that seem to pay no mind at all to shoveling the walks.

It's hard for any pedestrian to get around when walks have several inches of ice and snow unattended from the beginning of winter, but for the children who walk it every school day, and the parents (especially with strollers) helping them get to school, it’s particularly difficult.

So, yes this is an issue that is especially important for children, but not necessarily one fixed by children helping at home at their own residences. So many examples of the most egregious negligence I see are in front of long standing Lakewood businesses and churches on main streets like Detroit, Madison and Warren, as well as the residences on Hilliard/Franklin, many of which may not have children living there to help with the “grunt work”.

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When I moved to Lakewood, I got a flier about how to handle my trash: what day was pickup, how to separate recyclables, etc., down to how many inches the new trash receptacles need to be from the curb. When the trash pickup people see that it isn’t being done right, they distribute a warning to that effect, and inform of fines that may be imposed.

There needs to be clear, unambiguous assignment of responsibility (landlord? tenant? business? church?), widespread publication of that assignment (so people know when it's their responsibility) and then enforcement of the law, which might include notifications, warnings and fines.

Can’t we do something like this? The relevant law in Lakewood is not clear on whether it’s a landlord or a tenant who is responsible. We can start by having City Council fix this immediately.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

When I moved to Lakewood, I got a flier about how to handle my trash: what day was pickup, how to separate recyclables, etc., down to how many inches the new trash receptacles need to be from the curb. When the trash pickup people see that it isn’t being done right, they distribute a warning to that effect, and inform of fines that may be imposed.

Mike, this is exactly what is needed to start solving at least part of this problem. Your right. It is not clear whose responsibility it is to clear the public sidewalks. Although there may be an ordinance it doesn’t mean the information is getting out.

We live in a city in which over 50% of the population rents. I think that there is real disconnect about rentals and the people who rent in Lakewood. Often, as many of us know, the owners do not live in the house they rent out. Sometimes in the leases snow removal will be said to be provided by the owner, but they don’t always live up to their own leases. As I mentioned, I hailed from Chicago and as a tenant this was never my responsibility. That is part of the appeal of renting that lawn care, snow removal, and other services are provided since we pay the rent. I am sure there are many who are reading this who have lived in bigger cities that understand that this is the norm. In Lakewood, rental agreements are not always so back & white which leaves uncertainty.
What is the back-up if the owner doesn’t do it? Do the tenants pay a fine? They really can't be asked to purchase equipment and maintain a property if the service is supposed to be provided by the owner (this can be an issue for yet another thread).

What about the businesses who have the resources and just aren’t living doing their due diligence? Our city doesn't have the resources to do the folloup on every business & resident, but we can to our part by reporting key areas that are typically causing problems or that are not being done at all. The city and schools can do their part by not responding to us with "it is not our job".

Now, I am in a pickle. Since both City of Lakewood meetings are the same night as School Board meetings which do I go to? My point, (again we can start another thread) is I would like to call out to our city and school officials and ask that one of them change their Monday night meetings so they alternate. I would like to attend both regularly as I am sure other citizens would like to as well. I wonder if Bryan has been hearing about his issue, like snow removal, as he was growing up in Lakewood--it is long overdue.

[Meg Ostrowski]

A wise neighbor sent this to share. His walkway is impeccable.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a

Roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if

Anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the

King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by

And simply walked around it.. Many loudly blamed the

King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did

Anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of

Vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the

Peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the

stone to the side of the road. After much pushing

and straining, he finally succeeded. After the

peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed

a purse lying in the road where the boulder had

been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note

from the King indicating that the gold was for the

person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The

peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve

our condition.

[Bryan Schwegler]

I do what I need to do for clearing snow when I should do it, as a matter of fact I actually plow out the entire block's sidewalk in both directions to keep it clear for all pedestrians ...especially the poor postal carrier, I always feel sorry for them

My point on the "for the children" argument is that it's pretty much used for almost anything in Lakewood, and to me it's incredibly frustrating because people are attacked about what they aren't doing to "help the children" of Lakewood, while many of those very children, or parents of the children, aren't even taking the responsibility they're asking others to take (snow removal is just an example). That's my point.

I know many of the parents who post on the deck are responsible and do their part, but I can't tell you the number of houses with people with kids of all ages who don't even take the time to plow their own sidewalk.

I think it is a huge problem, but not only the children are impacted by businesses or homes (including those with kids) that don't remove their snow. I'm just not sure what the solution is.

[Corey Rossen]

This (lack of shoveling) reminds me of another pet peeve - the parents that send their own kids out trick-or-treating to gain other people's candies but do not turn on their own porch light and offer candy to others.

Sorry, back to the snow...