Tows When It Snows in Mo.

The next time two or more inches of snow falls, people living along larger Columbia, Mo., streets might need to remove their cars from the streets or face being towed.The proposed new tow zones would allow crews to clear streets more quickly. “After several bouts of significant snow last year, we started looking at better ways to clear the streets in a more expeditious manner. Any time we have vehicles parked along the sides of streets it slows things down,” Columbia Public Works spokesman Steven Sapp said.The Columbia City Council reviewed the proposal for snow routes in the city on Aug. 19 and instructed the staff to draft an ordinance with specifics. The law would designate first- and second-priority streets as snow routes.When the forecast indicates the potential for two or more inches of snow, Sapp said, the city will alert residents that emergency tow zones have gone into effect on snow routes.The city plans on spending $25,000 to mark tow zones with road signs, according to a Public Works memo.The city will solicit proposals from towing companies, which will be able to charge an agreed-upon fee.“The city does not plan to go into the towing business,” Sapp said. Source: www.columbiamissourian.com.