Below is the official news release issued by the City of Minneapolis detailing the lifting of the parking restrictions that have been in effect since February 11. For the record, the Mayor and her staff have been working closely with public works to get the restrictions lifted prior to April 1. The decision to impose or lift parking restrictions is officially made by the City Engineer and Chief of Police. Minneapolis' winter parking restrictions removed effective immediately Spring thaw means snow accumulation is no longer a public safety threat March 22, 2001 - Minneapolis officials today announced that its winter parking restrictions have been lifted in the city effective immediately. Public safety officials made the decision after determining that the spring thaw had significantly diminished the piles of accumulated snow on Minneapolis streets and therefore no longer posed a public safety threat. "The City's top priority is public safety," said Minneapolis Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Clack. "Fortunately the mild spring weather has melted much of the snow that was making it difficult for our emergency crews to navigate streets, so we no longer need a one-sided parking restriction. While our safety officials believe that adequate access currently exists, we also ask citizens to park vehicles in a manner that provides the least amount of obstruction in the streets." More than six feet of snow has fallen in the Twin Cities this season. Minneapolis declared six snow emergencies this winter, which is the highest number of snow emergencies declared by the city in the past 10 years. Winter parking restrictions, which banned parking on the even side of non-snow emergency routes, went into effect on Feb. 11, 2001. "With near-record snow fall in Minneapolis, our public works crews have worked diligently to ensure city streets are clear of snow and safe for drivers and emergency vehicles," said Public Works Director David Sonnenberg. "It's been a long winter and we appreciate the patience that Minneapolis residents have shown in following our snow emergency and parking regulations this season." Now that the winter parking regulations have been removed, individuals parking their vehicles in Minneapolis should obey the current parking rules that are posted on city streets. Substantial accumulation of additional snow could result in another Snow Emergency declaration. If the snow begins to fall, residents should call 612-348-SNOW, the City's 24-hour hotline for complete snow emergency information. That information is also available on City Cable Channel 34 and the City's Web site (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us). Ann Freeman Communications Director Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton (612) 673-2156 _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
