[Ord. 527, 1-17-1994; amended by 2003 Code]
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions under this chapter:
DIRECTOR
The street superintendent or, in his absence, his duly designated and acting representative.
ROADWAY
That portion of a street or highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of any berm or shoulder.
SNOW ROUTES
Those streets marked as such in accordance with provisions of this chapter and designated either as primary snow routes or secondary snow routes.
STREET OR HIGHWAY
The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is opened to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
[Ord. 527, 1-17-1994]
A. 
When Parking Prohibited:
1. 
Whenever the director finds, on the basis of falling snow or on the basis of a forecast by the U.S. weather service, an accumulation of two inches or more of snow, that weather conditions will make it necessary that parking on City streets be prohibited or restricted for snow plowing and other purposes, the director shall put into effect a parking prohibition on parts of or all snow routes as necessary by declaring it in a manner prescribed by this chapter. The director may at that time announce the starting time of enforcement procedures, which may be conditioned on the existence of precipitation at such starting time.
[Amended by 2003 Code]
2. 
Once in effect, a prohibition under this chapter shall remain in effect until terminated by announcement of the director in accordance with this chapter. While the prohibition is in effect, no person shall park or allow to remain parked any vehicle on any snow route. However, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit parking at any time or place where it is forbidden by any other provision of law.
B. 
Front Yard Parking Permitted; Limitations:
1. 
Parking is allowed in a front yard during and for 24 hours after the termination of a snow emergency under this chapter with respect to any property abutting streets designated as primary or secondary snow routes under this chapter if, but only if, the following conditions are met:
a. 
But for the snow emergency, parking would be allowed on the street in front of said property; and
b. 
No private driveway accessible from the street is located on said property.
2. 
Vehicles parked in violation of the limitations of this subsection may be ticketed and towed in the same manner as provided in this chapter for vehicles present on a street during a snow emergency when parking is prohibited on designated snow routes.
[Ord. 527, 1-17-1994]
A. 
The director shall cause each declaration made by him pursuant to this chapter to be publicly announced by means of broadcasts or telecasts from one or more radio station's or television station's information line with a normal operating range covering the City. Each announcement shall describe the action taken by the director, including the time it became or will become effective, and shall specify the streets or areas affected.
[Amended by 2003 Code]
B. 
The director shall make or cause to be made a record of each time and date when any declaration is announced to the public in accordance with this chapter.
C. 
Failure to give the notice required under this section shall be a defense to Subsection 6-4-3A of this chapter.
[Ord. 527, 1-17-1994]
Whenever the director shall find that some or all of the conditions which gave rise to a parking prohibition in effect pursuant to this chapter no longer exist, he may declare the prohibition terminated, in whole or in part, in a manner prescribed by this chapter, effective immediately upon an announcement.
[Ord. 527, 1-17-1994; amended by 2003 Code]
On each street designated by this chapter as a snow route, the director shall post special signs on each block with the wording "SNOW ROUTE - NO PARKING". These signs shall be distinctive and uniform in appearance and shall be plainly readable to persons traveling on the street or highway. In addition, primary snow routes shall further be marked with an additional sign or additional language on the sign designating it a snow route, carrying the words "Tow Away Zone".
[Ord. 527, 1-17-1994]
Whenever any motor vehicle without a driver is found parked or left in violation of any provision of this chapter, the police officer finding such vehicle shall take its registration number and any other information displayed on the vehicle which may identify its user, and shall conspicuously affix to such vehicle a traffic citation.
[Ord. 527, 1-17-1994]
In any prosecution with regard to a vehicle parked or left in a place or in a condition in violation of any provision of this chapter, proof that the particular vehicle described in the complaint was parked or left in violation of a provision of this chapter together with proof that the defendant named in the complaint was at the time the registered owner of such vehicle, shall constitute prima facia evidence that the defendant was the person who parked or left the vehicle in violation of this chapter.
[Ord. 527, 1-17-1994]
A. 
Authority To Remove; Conditions:
1. 
Members of the City police department are hereby authorized to remove or have removed a vehicle from a street to a storage area designated by the City police department, or otherwise maintained by the City, when:
a. 
The vehicle is found parked on a primary snow route when a parking prohibition is in effect; or
b. 
The vehicle is stalled on a primary snow route, and the person who is operating such vehicle does not appear to be removing it in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
2. 
This chapter shall be supplemental to any other provisions of law granting members of the police department authority to remove vehicles.
B. 
Unknown Owner; Report To State: Whenever a police officer removes or has removed a vehicle from a street under this chapter and does not know and is not able to ascertain the name of the owner, or for any other reason is unable to give notice to the owner, and in the event the vehicle is not returned to the owner within a period of five days, then and in that event the police officer shall immediately send or cause to be sent a written report of such removal by mail to the secretary of state of Illinois, and shall file a copy of such notice with the proprietor of any storage area in which the vehicle may be stored. Such notice shall include a complete description of the vehicle, the date, time, and place from which removed, the reasons for such removal, and the name of the place and address where the vehicle is stored.
C. 
Redemption Of Vehicle: No person shall recover any vehicle removed in accordance with this chapter except as provided herein. Before the owner or person in charge of such vehicle shall be allowed to recover the vehicle from the place where it has been placed or impounded, he shall present to a member of the City police department evidence of his identity and right to possession of the vehicle, shall sign a receipt for its return, and shall pay the cost of removal and shall pay any cost of storage accrued. Until paid, these charges constitute a lien on the vehicle which may be enforced in the same manner as a garage keeper's lien in accordance with the provisions of 770 Illinois Compiled Statutes 45/1.
[Amended by 2003 Code]
D. 
Records Kept: It shall be the duty of the City police department to keep a record of each vehicle removed in accordance with this chapter. The record shall include a description of the vehicle, its license number, the date and time of its removal, from where it was removed, its location, the name and address of its owner and last operator, if known, its final disposition, including name and address of any place to which it was removed for storage, and the parking violation involved.
E. 
Removal And Storage Costs: Towing and storage costs shall be those stated in accordance with Subsection 4-7-4B5 of this Code.