Winter Weather Update: February 7, 2008

Madison - Mayor Dave Cieslewicz today thanked Madisonians for helping City workers clean up in the wake of yesterday's 13.3-inch snowfall. In particular, compliance with the City's snow emergency zone ordinance was much higher than usual. Parking Enforcement staff reported 283 snow emergency zone violations, about half the normal number. This level of compliance had a significant positive impact on the ability of City workers to plow streets to the curb. The City towed 71 unmoved vehicles on streets highly impacted by snow, further assisting cleanup efforts. A snow emergency is also in effect for this evening. Unmoved cars on streets that have been highly impacted by snow will again be subject to towing. "I appreciate the efforts of Madison drivers to comply with the snow emergency parking restrictions," said Mayor Cieslewicz. "It clearly made a difference in helping city workers clean up after yesterday's major snowfall. Please continue to help out by abiding by the snow emergency parking restrictions this evening." The Mayor said that members of the public can also help by shoveling out fire hydrants, bus stops and sidewalk curb cuts in their neighborhood. In response to the snow-related cleanup issues in December, the City put in place new measures to help get cars off of downtown streets. Cars can now be parked for free in city-owned downtown parking ramps between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Cars can also be parked for free at city-maintained parking lots at Burr Jones Park, Tenney Park and Olbrich Park. The city is also in the process of reviewing other changes, including enhanced methods for notifying residents when a snow emergency is called; higher fines for snow emergency violations; expansion of the street sweeping parking regulations to become year-round; and other measures. Madisonians can get complete snow emergency information, and sign up for email notification when a snow emergency is called, at www.cityofmadison.com/streets, or by calling 261-9111.