Feb. 8--Eastpointe property owners could be in a slippery situation if they don't clear snow and ice from their sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall under tighter rules being considered by the City Council.

If owners fail to clear their walks, the city will hire a private contractor to do so and then bill the property owners. If the owner doesn't pay the bills, tax liens will be placed on their properties. The new rules would be enforced next winter if approved at the Feb. 17 council meeting, City Manager Darwin Parks said.

He said the council is looking at the matter because of a lack of maintenance on foreclosed, vacant, HUD- or bank-owned properties or those with absentee landlords. About 10% of the city's approximately 13,000 properties -- many of them residences -- fit the bill, he said, and the situation is not expected to improve.

Parks said there isn't much of a problem with current residents maintaining their sidewalks.

But everyone, he said, "has got to make sure there is no snow or ice accumulation to permit someone to slip and fall on their sidewalk. It has to be safe for pedestrian travel." Normally, people would have to clear walks after 2 or more inches of snowfall, Parks said.

Under the amended ordinance, the city also would notify the public about the new rules in October and November.

Parks said Eastpointe officials used a Mt. Clemens ordinance as the model for their proposed new rules. Other cities, such as Plymouth, Birmingham, Muskegon and Sterling Heights, have similar ordinances.

In Sterling Heights, residents have 24 hours to clear their walks. If they don't, a city employee can affix a tag to the property that advises the resident that the snow or ice must be cleared within 24 hours. If they fail to comply, the city will clear the walk and bill the owner. If the person doesn't pay the city within 30 days, unpaid expenses will constitute a lien against the property.

Parks said Eastpointe has received a couple of e-mails from people who had concerns about the proposed changes. Residents can voice their opinions about the changes at the 7 p.m. meeting Feb. 17 at City Hall, 23200 Gratiot, or via e-mail. There is an e-mail link on the council page on the city's Web site, www.cityofeastpointe.net.

Contact CHRISTINA HALL at 586-826-7265 or chall@freepress.com.

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