Mayor: Sidewalk fines return Tuesday as schools set to reopen
Day 8 of snow response; ACPS announces two-hour delay Tuesday
Update 2 p.m.: ACPS announced schools will reopen Tuesday with a two-hour delay. Read more
Sidewalk fine enforcement will resume Tuesday as the city pushes to reopen schools, Mayor Alyia Gaskins said in a video update Monday morning—day eight of Alexandria’s snow response.
“If you have not cleared your sidewalk, we need you to clear it as soon as possible,” Gaskins said. “Please, please, please get your sidewalks clear so our kids can get back to school.”
Gaskins, a mother of a 5-year-old and 3-year-old in ACPS, said she understands the frustration working parents are feeling.
“When I tell you I am feeling what working parents and caregivers are feeling, I mean it,” she said. “I also mean it when I say that our roads are passable and are in good condition.”
But road conditions aren’t the only factor the school board and superintendent consider, Gaskins said. Three other issues were slowing the return to in-person learning:
Staffing: Fairfax, Arlington and Prince William schools were closed Monday. Loudoun was on a two-hour delay. Many ACPS teachers, support staff and bus drivers live outside the city, and when their districts close, they can’t get childcare.
Sidewalks: The city has cleared every city-owned sidewalk, but there are nearly 1,000 bus stops across Alexandria, many on residential streets that still need clearing.
Parking: Many schools don’t have parking lots, so teachers park on residential streets. The city can’t get heavy equipment between cars that haven’t moved since last Saturday. Gaskins urged residents to move their vehicles so crews can clear those areas.
What the city is doing
ACPS provided the city with a priority list, and crews worked overnight to address every item, Gaskins said. The city is also mobilizing volunteers to help shovel sidewalks on residential streets and has shared a list of city-owned and private garages where teachers can park.
Gaskins said she is in communication with mayors and county chairs from other jurisdictions, and Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt is coordinating with other superintendents.
Sidewalk enforcement
Beginning Tuesday, the city will resume enforcement of the sidewalk snow removal ordinance, according to a city press release Monday. Enforcement was paused to allow residents additional time to recover from the storm.
Under city code, sidewalks, driveways and entrances are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, occupant, community association or business. Because this was a Level 3 Snow Emergency, snow and ice must be cleared within 72 hours of the end of snowfall. That deadline was extended due to the severity of the storm.
The city is asking residents to:
Clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to your property as soon as possible
Move vehicles parked on residential streets that have not been fully plowed so crews can clear the street
Help neighbors who may be unable to clear snow on their own
Residents who need help clearing sidewalks—or can lend a hand—are encouraged to sign up for the city’s Snow Buddy Program.
More information is available at alexandriava.gov/Snow.
Trash and snow hauling
Trash collection resumed Monday. Crews are still hauling snow from major intersections—two more sites filled up Sunday, forcing the city to find additional locations. Work continues on alleyways, which are essential for trash pickup, and transit routes.
Looking ahead
Gaskins ended with a nod to Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.
“Phil is only about 30% correct,” she said. “My hope is that this is one of those times when he’s wrong, because I don’t think we can handle any more snow.”
