City waives snow removal fees

By Dan DuChene
Mar. 13, 2009    ·    3:02 p.m.

After an investigation into the snow abatements issued in January, the city of Ypsilanti will not be collecting any money from residents.

April McGrath, Ypsilanti administrative services manager, said she came to the conclusion Thursday that the city had not notified all the properties that had snow removed from their sidewalks by independent contractor A.M. Services. She said her findings were reported to City Council.

Ron Monroe, the city’s ordinance enforcer resigned from his post at the city Thursday as well. McGrath said Monroe turned in a letter, but did not give a reason for his leaving. She said Building Manager Frank Daniels and Rental Inspector Debbie Neville will be filling in on Monroe’s duties until the budget is reviewed to see if his position will be posted.

Monroe was the person in the city responsible for handing out the notices.

McGrath apologized for the snow removal enforcement Friday.

“It should have been a seamless process,” she said. “It was not implemented effectively.”

McGrath could not give a definite figure as to how many people had already paid their fine, and said she was not sure if they would be issued a refund. She said A.M. services will be paid for the service they had done if they had photographic evidence of the work.

She estimated the money due to A.M. could be more than $10,000, as 340 invoices were sent out to residents alleged to have violated December’s snow removal ordinance. McGrath said the average charge for the snow removal was $35.

Residents were charged $83, with the rest going toward the administrative costs incurred by the city for enforcement.

After several residents complained to City Council about the fees earlier this month, claiming they had not received an abatement notice or had shoveled their sidewalk adequately, McGrath investigated the city’s claim that 441 properties were given notice of abatements, which started the 18-hour clock for possible abatement if the snow or ice was not cleared away.

December’s addition of amendment to the snow removal ordinance was approved by City Council in a 6-1 vote. The recent the ordinance states that property owners have 48 hours to remove snow after the first snowfall. Failure to do so results in a warning handed out by the city.

If the homeowner fails to remove snow or ice prior to 12:00 p.m. the day after notice is given, provided there has been at least 18 hours since delivery of the notice, the city may cause such snow or ice to be removed at the homeowners expense.

Stay with the Citizen as this story develops.

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Residents pile on City Council over snow fines
Community reeling from snow removal invoices