Maplewood Weighs Snow-Season Parking Crackdown as Tow Trucks Run Short
City leaders say flyers, social media and partnerships with churches and schools will come before tickets in four narrow-street neighborhoods where parked cars block plows.
Maplewood officials said this week the city is preparing a renewed push on overnight parking enforcement ahead of the snow season, after residents complained that vehicles left on the street are keeping plows from clearing narrow neighborhood roads.
The issue was added to the agenda of the Nov. 9 City Council meeting at City Hall at the request of Council member Cave, who said she had heard from residents frustrated by streets left partially plowed because crews could not get around parked cars.
City Manager Michael Sabol told the council that staff have identified roughly four neighborhoods where streets are narrow enough that a single parked vehicle can stop a plow from completing a pass. He said Police Chief Birdman is leading a team working on solutions for snow events.
No one likes to give out tickets and fines to people who, you know, maybe overslept or slept through a storm... But it is a reality that we have to make sure that that the work gets done.
Outreach before enforcement
Sabol said the city's first step will be communication rather than citations. Plans include distributing flyers in the affected neighborhoods, stepping up social media outreach before and during snow events, and pursuing partnerships with churches and schools that could open their parking lots to residents who have nowhere else to put a vehicle overnight.
A complicating factor, Sabol said, is a shortage of available tow trucks during major storms. With limited towing capacity across the region, the city can often do little more than ticket vehicles that remain on the street, leaving the underlying problem — a blocked plow route — unresolved.
Other Topics from This Document
Election staff recognition and oath/roll call
Mayor Abrams thanked election staff (Andrea), judges working 15-hour days and a 47-day voting period, congratulating council members Lee and Juenemann on election results (D1).
Approval of agenda and minutes (Oct 26, 2026)
Agenda approved with added items on overnight parking and a potential council resolution. Oct 26 workshop and regular minutes approved with one abstention each (Cave) (D1).
Administrative presentations: upcoming meetings and events
City Manager Sabol previewed a lengthy Nov 23 meeting (Century Ave/MnDOT, climate mitigation plan, EV update, 2027 legislative program, budget presentations), a possible special EDA meeting, truth-in-taxation Dec 14, and a fixed-location Santa event Dec 19 (D1).
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Mayor Abrams announced a resolution for MLB pitchers Louie Varland (Toronto Blue Jays, 2025 trade, first All-Star Game in July) and Gus Varland (Washington Nationals), Maplewood natives, to be presented Nov 23 (D1).
Consent agenda items G1–G6
Consent agenda items G1 through G6 approved unanimously; included firefighter wellness screening contract (D1).
2027 charitable gambling fund awards
23 applications sought ~$154,000; budget ~$60,000. Council approved $58,750 in awards to 10 organizations including 622 Education Foundation, Merrick Community Services, Salvation Army and Tubman (D1).
Joint Powers Agreement with Little Canada for boardwalk replacement
Council approved JPA for replacing the 2008 boardwalk linking Thunder Bay Trail and Lake Links Trail. Cost rose from ~$381k to ~$432k; Maplewood share $83,227; $250k DNR grant; completion by June 30 deadline (D1).
2027 Fire Department budget presentation
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