The porchlite
News from the Summit University Neighborhood
The porchlite
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This winter was too much, wasn’t it? For many in Summit-University, the burden was greater than you may imagine.
We know that February was a record-breaking month, and the city handled it as well as they could. They pulled together extra resources and used alternative resources creatively to address the overwhelming amounts of snow. That said, climate change is creating more extreme weather conditions and considerable thought will have to go into plans to manage snow and make sure the community is safe and accessible for everyone. We also need to make sure that when restrictions are created, the rules are predictable and easy to understand for everyone in Saint Paul. We can anticipate that some people may not have been able to access the information needed to avoid tickets or tows, and those people are some of the most likely to be burdened by those costs. The parking ban map was only available online, and it was subject to change without notice. That means that people had to be able to check in regularly to park without issue. Saint Paul issued over $1,000,000 in tickets during the snow emergencies alone, and over $650,000 in tows (not including lot fees). The impact of the parking ban is yet to be shared with us, as that was tracked by the police department, but these numbers are enough to tell us that we need to be absolutely sure that neighbors aren’t hit with this cost just because they can’t access information. Looking ahead to 2020, we also want people to remember that everyone in the community doesn't get around by car. A large number of people use other means of transportation. Making sure people can safely move around the community falls on residents and business owners for the most part, so we want everyone to do their part to make sure the neighborhood is accessible. We encourage neighbors to help each other out! We will be organizing interested neighborhood blocks to create agreements to work together to clear sidewalks of snow, find resources for elders, adopt storm drains and fire hydrants, and get out the word about parking restrictions. We know that our communities are Saint Paul’s greatest resource, and we can accomplish so much working together. Read an article from the Pioneer Press here: https://www.twincities.com/2019/03/23/for-st-paul-some-lessons-from-a-tough-winter/
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 Working together, we can ensure that this community is safe and accessible for everyone throughout the remainder of the winter and spring thaw.
Here are a few ways you can lend a hand: 1. Make sure the sidewalks and ramps are shoveled. Clear fire hydrants. Saint Paul City Ordinance says that snow must be removed within 24 hours. Take a moment to check in on neighbors who may not be able to remove the snow themselves, you could make a big impact in someone's day by shovelling a little further than you normally do. Make sure ramps are cleared enough to allow a large wheelchair through. 2. Support youth offering to shovel for a small fee. We have a lot of motivated youth in the neighborhood who are happy to help. 3. Clear storm drains! Let's say NO to giant puddles at the street corners this year! For more information, visit our blog post about clearing drains HERE. 4. Check on neighbors who may have stuck cars. That car down the street that hasn't moved for a week? It might be iced in. Get a team together and help push them out. 5. Start cleaning up trash as the snow melts. Once the snow starts to melt we are going to see all of the litter that was hidden for months. We are happy to help you organize a clean-up in your neighborhood! We are also hosting a community clean up on April 27 at People's Park. More information to come soon! 
A warmup is coming, and maybe a little rain. Soon enough, our neighborhood is going to become the land of 10,000 lake-sized puddles.
These enormous pools of ice cold sludge are typical this time of year. They can be an annoyance for able-bodied people carrying little more than a backpack, but for many of our community members these extra large melt puddles make it impossible to navigate the neighborhood. We need everyone to step up in Summit-University and help us clear storm drains. Check on the drains on your block today! They are typically found at street intersections near ped ramps, and sometimes they are also found mid-block. See the link to the city's map below. Check on the drains on your block today! If you are able to clear them, please do. Even just clearing off some of the snow allows the sun to help with the melting process. If residents are seeing pooling water on the streets, and you are not able to open up your catch basin, please call Saint Paul Public Works Sewer Division at 651-266-9700 (press 7) or call 651-266-9850 and a crew can come out to steam the storm drain open.  Information about the parking ban and current snow emergency can be found below.
If you are unsure about all of this information, cannot access the parking ban map, or you are having a hard time understanding it, please call Saint Paul Public Works: 651-266-6100 (7:30-4:30, you may have to leave a message) You can also call SUPC to double check your parking spot (we will just look at the map on the City's website, you may have to leave a message): 651-228-1855 They have people who can help you understand where you are able to park. The parking map may change from time to time, without notice, so it is important to occasionally take a look at it. If you have people on your block who cannot access the internet, please provide them with this number. The Winter One-Sided Parking Ban Map can be found here: www.stpaul.gov/1sideparking Monday, March 11, 2019- SNOW EMERGENCY DAY (second day) Saint Paul Snow emergency still in effect, Winter One-Sided Parking Ban does not apply today.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019- CLEANUP DAY
Tuesday, March 12- April 1, 2019- ONE_SIDED PARKING BAN IN EFFECT (Unless another snow emergency is declared)
One-sided parking ban to be suspended temporarily, if snow emergency is declared
SAINT PAUL (March 8, 2019) – Today the Saint Paul Public Works Department announced that it is preparing for a significant winter storm which is predicted to impact the city beginning on Saturday, March 9 and continuing into Sunday, March 10. As of 12 noon today, the National Weather Service predicted a major storm which is likely to deposit 7 to 10 inches of wet, heavy snow across the city. “The information that we are receiving from the National Weather Service is that this will be a substantial storm,” stated Kathy Lantry, Director of Saint Paul Public Works. “We are asking residents to stay alert and follow parking regulations so that we can get the streets plowed as quickly and efficiently as possible.” If the timing and severity of the storm develop as predicted, Public Works will begin plowing major streets and treating problem areas on Saturday and will continue those operations continuously into Sunday. If the City needs to declare a snow emergency, the one-side of residential street parking ban rules will be suspended. Residents will be asked to follow regular snow emergency rules according to the following schedule: The day a Snow Emergency is declared (NIGHT PLOW ROUTE PHASE):
The day after a Snow Emergency is declared (DAY PLOW ROUTE PHASE):
The Day after Snow Emergency Night and Day Plow Routes are completed (CLEAN UP PHASE):
As a reminder, Daylight Saving Time will begin on Sunday, March 10, 2019, at 2 a.m. If no snow emergency is declared, the one-side parking ban will remain in effect. Residents are asked to stay alert and watch for updates from the City at www.stpaul.gov/snow as weather conditions and the timing of parking restrictions may change. There are several ways to receive snow-related updates:
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about usThe Porchlite is a monthly newsletter and blog that is developed by the SUPC Communications Committee. Archives
March 2020
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