Sioux Falls code enforcement’s motto, “Do as we say, not as we do.”
Bumpy and icy neighborhood side streets have some people in Sioux Falls concerned about snow removal policies.
After our weekend snow storm, city plows cleared off main and secondary streets, but officials only clear off residential streets when there is a snow alert.
That’s an issue for some homeowners and it has to do with shoveling. They want to know why the city doesn’t have to plow some of these streets, but they’ll get fined for not shoveling their sidewalks. People are out chipping away at thick ice and shoveling that wet snow.
According to a city release, you have until 2 p.m. Tuesday to clean and clear your sidewalks, or you’ll have to pay for it. The people we talked to wonder why the city doesn’t follow these rules when it comes to clearing all of our streets.
Some streets are slick and bumpy; many of them have deep ruts at the intersections. All of this could make for a dangerous drive.
I was smart and scooped that greasy crap Sunday night before it turned into a sheet of ice. Besides if it stays warm over the next couple of days, the ice will be gone in no time. But, hey if you live on ‘Mayoral’ St. Charles Lane, where the mayor lives, you get a nice chemical sprayed down for you because it is a ‘secondary’ snow route and the only route coming out of that development*. Well guess what, I live on a street that is a deadend on either end and I have to drive on a different street to get over to Cliff Avenue. and usually I have to plow my car thru a gigantic ridge of snow and ice to get onto Cliff (something that could be eliminated with snowgates). The mayor is slowly separating the working class from the ruling class in Sioux Falls. If you belong to the ruling class you get icemelt on your street, you can blab at meetings as long as you want about needing a TIF or an indoor pool. If you belong to the working class they intimidate you with code enforcement violations (that you are not legally obligated to pay) and stifle your free speech rights while disregarding your petitions.
*Rumor has it that St. Charles Lane has also been resurfaced TWICE since Huether has been mayor. I do know another media source in SFÂ has tried to obtain those records from Public Works, but has been unsuccessful thus far.