Memo

To:        Mike Wildgen

From:   Lisa Patterson

cc:       David Morrissey, Roger Hill Volunteer Center

Date:    October 19, 2004

Re:       Outline of volunteer snow removal program and city’s educational efforts for Ordinance 7456

Program title

Safe Winter Walkways

 

Program intent

Provide resource for seniors and individuals needing snow removal assistance.

Focus: properties that are adjacent to public sidewalks however, non-adjacent properties will not be excluded.

Emphasis:  pedestrian traffic - Residents and businesses responsible for providing safe pedestrian travel.

Soft launch in winter 2004 focusing on referrals from agencies working with targeted population.

 

Program organization

See Memorandum of Understanding

 

Program promotion

Target dates

            Launch – Nov. 17, secondary message national family volunteer day on 11/20

First day of winter – Dec. 21

            Registration deadline – Jan. 7 and New Year’s resolution

            Program end - March 1

            Any predicted snow event

Key messages:

civic duty, history of snowfall, ordinance, good neighbors and safe walking, pilot program

providing seniors access to critical services such as VNA and Meals on Wheels

 

Volunteer recruitment

Businesses/ Chamber

Churches

Families

Civic clubs

KU organizations

Haskell organizations

Scout troops

USD 497 school newsletters

Neighborhood Associations

CERT volunteers

Panhellenic Association at KU

 

Applicant recruitment

Referrals from Lawrence agencies providing services to seniors and individuals with disabilities.

 

City direct costs

Phone line operation

Printed materials production

 

Program Intro flyer

Title:  Safe Winter Walkways Subtitle: Preparing snow routes for pedestrian traffic Picture: walking people

 

WHO: Lawrence volunteers

WHAT: are needed to be matched with Lawrence residents who are unable to shovel snow.

WHEN: Matches for the season and applicants for assistance must register by January 7, 2005.  Volunteers are asked to commit to the snow season and shovel snow each snow fall.

WHY: Maintaining Safe Winter Walkways is a step in keeping Lawrence a desirable place to live.

 

To register as a volunteer, call XXX-XXX and listen to the prompts.  You will receive a follow up call to complete your registration.  On line registration is available at www.lawrenceks.org.

 

The community depends on residents to remove snow from public sidewalks.  During the winter months, many Lawrence residents need to be able to safely use public sidewalks.  Children walking to neighborhood schools, students walking to both campuses, employees going to work and families enjoying the fresh air require safe walkways free of snow.

 

Applicants must

Volunteers will

be unable to remove snow.

provide assistance to seniors or those with a disability.

pre-register for the program prior to snow fall.

wait for an applicant to be matched.

register early, registration closes January 7, 2005.

remove snow from the public sidewalk and a walkway or path from the front door to the street.

Any snow removal beyond sidewalks and walkway to the street is of the volunteer’s own accord and not a requirement.

call XXX-XXXX.

call XXX-XXXX.

provide snow shovel and salt or other substance.

provide snow removal services to the match throughout the winter season.

be a resident of the property.

 

be unable to pay for snow removal services.

 

 

Safe Winter Walkways is a program provided by the City of Lawrence and the Roger Hill Volunteer Center a service of the United Way of Douglas County. Logos

 

Closing

Caring for our neighbors helps to strengthen the community and make it a better place to live.

 

Utility Bill message

Be a good neighbor and

volunteer to assist seniors and

those with disabilities with snow removal.

Maintaining Safe Winter Walkways

is a step in keeping Lawrence a desirable place to live.

Call XXX-XXXX to volunteer.

 

2004-5 winter additional messages, non- volunteer program

 

DRAFT - Commercial property owner letter

Dear property owner,

 

The City of Lawrence reminds you that the property owner or occupant adjacent to a public sidewalk is responsible for removing ice and snow from the public sidewalk within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall or ice accumulation for the safe travel of pedestrians. 

 

Pedestrians increasingly need and expect sidewalks to be cleared in both residential and business neighborhoods. The community depends on business owners to remove snow from public sidewalks adjacent to business properties.  During the winter months, many Lawrence residents need to be able to safely use public sidewalks.  Children walking to neighborhood schools, students walking to both campuses, employees going to work and families enjoying the fresh air require safe walkways free of snow.

 

In addition, snow from parking lots may not be displaced into public streets.  When clearing snow from walks and drives be sure to avoid creating an obstruction for pedestrians.

 

For more information on the snow and ice removal ordinance number 7456, contact the Department of Neighborhood Resources, (785) 832-7700.

 

Respectfully,

 

 

 

 

Mike Wildgen

City Manager