Staff is presenting proposed amendments to BMCC 22-406 and BMCC 15-501 for council discussion and input.  This meeting is to work through any questions or concerns so that the amended ordinances may be brought back to council for a public hearing and first reading at an upcoming meeting.

BMCC 22-406 is the ordinance used by the Code Enforcement Division to enforce primarily snow removal from sidewalks.  The proposed revisions in the attached amended version address several issues that have been either raised by the public or encountered by Code Enforcement.  Additionally, the proposed revisions address the acceptable removal of impediments, i.,e, snow, in the city limits.

BMCC 15-501 is an update to mirror state code changes in title/chapter numbers and to clean up language adopting the state regulations.

The proposed revisions would benefit our citizens, especially those using wheeled devices, making sidewalks safer and more accessible.

City Council may:

• Approve of the suggested amendments as written and direct staff to bring them to a business meeting for action; or,
• Make additional suggestions to the amendments and direct staff to bring them to a business meeting for action; or
• Not Approve the suggested amendments and direct staff to leave the ordinances as written. Not changing the ordinance will continue to make keeping sidewalks clear for the traveling public more difficult and language will remain in City Code that does not match MCA references.

There are no fiscal impacts associated with the proposed amendments to BMCC 22-406 or BMCC 15-501.

Staff is requesting discussion and input from the Council on the proposed amendments to BMCC 22-406 and BMCC 15-501, so that the ordinances may be brought back to Council for public hearing and first reading.  Snow removal season is fast approaching and these changes would greatly benefit our citizens and the city this winter and year round.  The state regulation code is just an update in language to match current MCA.