Portage City Council Talks Snow and Cars

A recent snowstorm left its mark on Portage, causing more than just slippery roads. The city received 9 inches of snow, which meant a lot of work for the snowplows. They had to drive 2,800 miles to clear the streets.

Parking Problems

One big problem was cars parked on the streets. The city has a rule: when 2 or more inches of snow fall, cars must be moved off the roads. But many people didn't follow this rule, making it harder for the plows to do their job.

The city is thinking about making new signs to remind people about the rule. They might even make the rule stricter next year. Police Chief Michael Candiano said, "I don’t know if people don’t know or they don’t care about moving their cars."

The police had to knock on doors to ask people to move their cars. This took time away from other important tasks, like responding to emergencies. Fire Chief Chris Crail said there were more traffic accidents because of the snow.

City's Goal: Safety First

Mayor Austin Bonta said some people think the city is being too strict. But the goal is not to give tickets or make money. The goal is to keep the streets clear so everyone can get around safely.

Other Issues

The snow also caused other problems:

• The police had to do more welfare checks, making sure people were safe at home.
• Some mailboxes got hit by snowplows. The city has a form on their website for people to report this.
• Leaf collection was delayed because of the snow. It will start again when the weather gets better.