BY OFFICER DAN SCHOEN COTTAGE GROVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

Winter parking; tires

Love it or hate it, Minnesota winters offer challenges to us all. If you have lived in Cottage Grove long enough, you know the season comes with our annual winter parking regulations. From Nov. 1 through March 31 each year, the City of Cottage Grove prohibits on-street parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every day to help ensure our public works department can quickly and safely take care of snow removal or attempt to mitigate icy road conditions regardless of snowfall.

The parking ordinance also requires people to move their vehicles if asked by the city. The city has the authority to immediately tow vehicles parked on the street; fortunately, we have rarely had to take that measure. If you have construction projects or other long-term issues that might make moving your vehicle a challenge, you can work with our city administrative staff to apply for permits. Still, the general rule is to not park on the streets assuming you have permission; make sure you actually talk to an officer or a city representative first.

Buried fire hydrants: Before our first snowfall, our firefighters saved someone’s home because they were able to put out a fire that would have likely caused irreparable damage if it had burned one minute longer. Imagine this same fire in the winter at your house; would the firefighters have to dig through a snowbank to find the fire hydrant to save your home? The simple act of keeping your hydrant clear from snow could mean life or death to you or a loved one this winter.

Bad car tires: Far too many motorists try to navigate winter with tires that barely make it through the summer. Minnesota statute 169.723 is titled “tires considered unsafe.” That statute includes tires worn to the tread wear indicators and/or less than 1/16-inch tread, showing threads, bulging spots and more. Every winter we have at least one snow event where people gamble on bad tires and cause an unhealthy dose of mayhem.

The most important thing to our officers is the safety of everyone who lives in and visits our community. This winter season, slow down and remember someone would rather have you at home than in the hospital.

Drive safely!