Photo by Rachel Harvey Members of the Warren Area High School cheerleading team are pictured after being honored by the Warren City Council during the council’s meeting recently.

Warren City Council members are discussing city-managed snow removal in the downtown business district.

Council members didn’t make a decision on the issue during their meeting this week, but are considering amending city ordinances requiring property owners in the C1 commercial district to handle snow removal on sidewalks and adjacent areas. The council debated transitioning to city-managed snow removal following concerns raised by local businesses and residents.

Property owners must clear snow or face fines, which some argue are burdensome, particularly for small businesses. Additionally, inconsistencies in snow removal efforts have led to uneven pedestrian accessibility.

Proponents of city-managed snow removal cite benefits such as improved safety, consistent clearing, and reduced strain on business owners. Enhanced pedestrian safety, especially during severe winters, has been a focal point in these discussions.

One suggestion involves the city negotiating a group contract with its existing snow removal contractor, potentially lowering business costs while maintaining accessible sidewalks. Local businesses strongly support this idea, emphasizing the importance of reliable snow removal for While no final decisions have been made, council members are actively reviewing public input and assessing the feasibility of city-managed snow removal.

Council members also noted attention given to the Riverfront Development project, which has attracted more than 11,000 views on the city’s website and significant public feedback through a survey. The council discussed distributing additional surveys to enhance community involvement and asked residents to participate in the decision-making process.

Three sports teams from Warren Area High School were recognized. The cheer team won its third District 10 title and will compete at the state level at the end of the month. Additionally, the girls and boys cross country teams each placed second at the District 10 championship, and the girls team was able to continue at

the state level and place fourth at the state of Pennsylvania cross-country championships.