Fort Dodge residents may catch a break on how fast they have to get outside and start removing snow after a storm.

Four of the seven City Council members said Monday that they think property owners ought to be given 48 hours to clear the sidewalks in front of their property. Currently, that deadline is 24 hours.

The council members remain evenly split over the possibility of notifying property owners before dispatching a contractor to remove accumulated snow. No such notice is given now.

The elected officials debated the snow removal policy during a workshop requested by Councilman Don Wilson.

Wilson described the current practice as ''just not a friendly citizen policy.''

Council members Andy Fritz, Robert ''Barney'' Patterson, Curt Olson and Wilson said they were in favor of a new 48-hour deadline for snow removal.

Council members Dave Flattery, Margy Halverson-Collins and Kelly Hindman said they support the current 24-hour deadline.

The concept of notifying property owners that they are in violation of the deadline before sending a contractor to remove the snow provoked more debate.

''Common sense dictates that when it snows, you shovel,'' Fritz said. ''I don't think any kind of warning is necessary.''

Flattery, Halverson-Collins and Olson said they also are opposed to notifying property owners, although Flattery said he was open to discussing the idea.

Hindman, Patterson and Wilson said they were in favor of making notifications.

Further action will have to be taken by the council if any part of the snow removal law is to be changed. At present, the 24-hour deadline remains in place and no notice will be given to those who miss that deadline.

Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net