Before the first snow flies this winter, the Lawrence City Commission will take another stab at formulating an ordinance that will at least encourage residents to keep the sidewalks on their property free of ice and snow.

On the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, the city staff is offering several proposals to revise the city’s current ordinance, which has proven ineffective and difficult to enforce. The current ordinance provides for fines up to $20 for not clearing the sidewalks, which isn’t much of an incentive. Plus, it gives residents a five-day grace period after the end of a snowfall before the case is prosecuted. It’s an unusual Kansas snowfall that doesn’t melt within five days.

In presenting their options, the city staff acknowledges that it is “not worth the staff time and resources : to prosecute snow and ice removal violations, even at elevated fine levels.” Although at least one option calls for a more aggressive enforcement program, a more realistic plan seems to be either keeping the ordinance as it is and accepting lax enforcement or moving to what the staff calls the “good neighbor” option.

That option would eliminate fines but would try to step up awareness of the city’s requirement that snow be removed within 24 hours after a snowfall. Instead of mailing information to a resident who has been identified as being in violation of the ordinance, a city worker would put a hangtag on their door knob explaining the ordinance and informing them about the “Safe Winter Walkways” volunteer program for people who need help clearing their sidewalks.

It’s a pretty no-teeth approach, but it makes no sense to have a fine on the books if there’s no chance a case ever will be prosecuted. It might be helpful for some residents if the city could figure out a way to include information on the door tags about individuals or businesses that clear sidewalks for a fee. “Safe Sidewalks” is wonderful for those who can’t afford to pay, but having for-fee options might keep that program from becoming overloaded.

Sidewalks covered with ice and snow are an annoyance and a safety issue, and it’s likely that a number of Lawrence residents probably would prefer an ordinance that took a stronger approach than door tags and information. The reality is, however, that there are relatively few days each year on which snowy sidewalks are an issue, and strictly enforcing a snow removal ordinance just isn’t practical.

Probably the most effective way to clear neighborhood sidewalks is for everyone to have their own private “good neighbor” policy. It might involve young people scooping sidewalks for a nominal fee or just a neighbor doing a good deed. Sometimes the personal approach beats anything government can legislate.