Spring is here according to the calendar, but don’t tell that to the Oxford Village Council because it’s still talking about snow.

Last week, officials continued discussing the need to get property owners to shovel their sidewalks and ways to make it happen.

“As we all know, we have had snow problems for the last three years,” said village President Sue Bossardet. “This year, it culminated in several businesses not shoveling their snow.”

In an effort to move forward, Bossardet had Assistant Village Manager Drew Benson draft a proposed amendment to the snow/ice removal ordinance by cutting and pasting existing ordinance language covering the uncontrolled growth of grass/weeds.

Under the proposed language, if a property owner doesn’t remove the snow and ice from their sidewalk, the village can have it cleared at the owner’s expense. Violators could also be found guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $500, plus prosecution costs and additional fines ranging from $100 for the first offense to $300 for the third and all subsequent offenses.

“We need something in place,” Bossardet said. “I’m tired of discussing this for three years. Everybody’s mad and everybody’s sending pictures (of snow-covered sidewalks) and everybody’s complaining. Let’s at least move off first base with this.”

The current ordinance, enacted in 1977, states that when snow falls or ice forms on the sidewalk, “within 24 hours,” it must be removed “in such a manner as to render the sidewalk safe to persons or property traveling thereon.”

Anyone who fails to comply “shall be” fined $15 and failure to pay the fine is punishable by a fine not to exceed $100 and the cost of prosecution.

Officials believe there’s a lack of compliance because, as Councilman Erik Dolan put it, the penalties are “archaic in their nature and they’re not compelling.”

Councilman Joe Frost agreed with Bossardet’s sentiment that something needs to be done, but he was not prepared to vote on the proposed ordinance amendment that night. He wanted to gather more information.

“Let’s look at snow ordinances that are working in other communities,” Frost said,

He would like to see “several examples from several communities,” from Ferndale to Ortonville.

“There are places much bigger than our community that have to deal with snow removal on a regular basis as well, and so let’s look at all options before we arrive at something like this,” Frost said.

The councilman noted “it’s March” so I don’t feel like there’s any need to rush this.”

To Dolan, there’s an easier way to resolve this issue than cutting-and-pasting ordinance language, a process he called “extremely tedious” and “unnecessary.”

“I just think we’ve overcomplicated a really simple problem,” he said.

He suggested referring the matter to village attorney Bob Davis.

“I would ask that if we’re going to take any action, it would be to consult the legal counsel to construct a legally-sound ordinance to meet the needs of the community,” Dolan said.

To make the process of gaining compliance a little quicker and easier, village Manager Joseph Madore suggested council consider making violations a civil infraction with fines as opposed to a misdemeanor.

Davis is expected to present council with a draft snow removal ordinance, along with some example ordinances from other municipalities, at the 6:30 p.m. April 10 meeting.