Possible strikes, missed recycling pickups add to city woes this winter
A parking ban on the even-numbered sides of Saint Paul residential streets that went into effect on March 10 will continue to be in force through April 15. The parking ban was announced on March 8, prior to yet another snowstorm. It is just one more inconvenience in this winter of Saint Paul’s discontent.
The city was facing a possible strike on March 21 of city workers, including the Department of Public Works employees who drive snowplows. Drivers for Eureka Recycling, which handles residential recycling collection in Saint Paul, were considering a strike of their own due to impassable alleys. Eureka said some drivers have been injured in falls on slippery ice. They have been told not to travel alleys that are too snowy or icy.
Eureka sent out about 2,000 letters in March announcing that it would not empty recycling carts in some alleys until mid-April due to driving conditions. Residents who received the letters can place their recycling at curbside.
Recycling pickup required
The city is requiring Eureka to collect recycling, even if it is not on the designated collection day. In some cases, Eureka is contracting with private trucks. But that has led to mix-ups. Residents have reported seeing private rental truck crews collect recycling, only to have the Eureka truck come through later the same day.
Parking is currently not allowed in Saint Paul on the south and east sides of residential streets. Vehicles found to be in violation will be ticketed and towed. The parking ban could be removed sooner if weather conditions permit.
Normal parking rules remain in effect on both sides of main, arterial streets. Saint Paul has not declared a one-sided parking ban since March of 2019. The city’s first-ever such ban was in 2014.
“We know that on-street parking is critical to many residents, and we’ve done everything we can to keep streets as wide as possible this winter,” Kershaw said. “The parking ban enables our crews to be more responsive with whatever winter weather comes in the remaining season.”
Hard to get around town
The parking ban comes at a time when Saint Paulites are increasingly frustrated about the ability to travel streets, sidewalks and alleys. Alleys in Saint Paul are plowed by property owners and not the city.
Jeanette Rebar, Public Works spokesperson, said snowplow drivers were frustrated with low compliance during the first weekend of the parking ban. “There were several areas that our plows weren’t able to clear the streets at all because there were too many parked cars,” Rebar said.
That first weekend, 30 plows were out on March 11 and 12 overnight. Between March 10-12, city workers ticketed 2,180 vehicles and towed 320. Crews continue to plow streets and patch the high number of potholes popping up around the city.
Anyone with a disability parking sign in front of their house and lives on an even-sided street where parking is banned can contact Public Works for a temporary sign.
If a snow emergency goes into effect, the parking ban will be suspended until streets are plowed. The public should check the city website and social media for snow emergency information.
Parking ban announced
Mayor Melvin Carter, city Public Works director Sean Kershaw and Fire Chief Butch Inks announced the parking ban at a news conference at Fire Station No. 1.
“The safety of our residents, workers and visitors is our top priority in Saint Paul,” Carter said. “This action will help ensure that our emergency services and Public Works can keep our streets safe and passable.”
Carter referred the city’s then-75-inch snowfall total as “historic.” (As of March 13, the total had grown to 80.3 inches, making this the eighth snowiest winter in the record books.) All that snow and the city’s narrowing streets prompted the ban to help emergency vehicles and school buses safely traverse the streets.
Public safety is top priority
Inks said public safety is a top priority for city leaders and that the one-sided parking ban will give fire trucks more room.
“We know that on-street parking is critical to many residents, and we’ve done everything we can to keep streets as wide as possible this winter,” Kershaw said. “The parking ban enables our crews to be more responsive with whatever winter weather comes in the remaining season.”
City running out of places to put snow
He noted that the city is running out of places to store snow. “Snow is a team event,” Kershaw said, while thanking residents who have kept their sidewalks clear. “People have been patient.”
He also reminded residents to move trash and recycle carts out of the streets, so that plows can get through. “We understand that this is a big imposition and we ask for everyone’s patience,” Kershaw said.
A map of where parking is banned can be found at stpaul.gov/1sideparking.
— Jane McClure
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