DeKalb residents can be fined for not shoveling their walks after the DeKalb City Council passed a new ordinance Monday.

The council unanimously passed the ordinance similar to one requiring residents to cut their grass and remove trash in warmer weather.

Although any resident who doesn’t clear walkways within 36 hours after a 2-inch snow or freezing rainfall can be ticketed, the ordinance targets residents who live along what the council terms “pedestrian safety routes.”

These routes are generally used by school children and retail business customers, said Bill Nicklas, Building and Community Services director.

“You can be more aggressive in those targeted areas,” Nicklas said, explaining that the city can clear those walks and levy fines without prior notice. However, in non-targeted areas, $25 fines can be levied on a daily basis, he said.

Michael Welsh, 2nd Ward alderman, said he has received calls from several people worried about elderly residents who might be unable to clear their walks.

But, Nicklas reassured the council that informational letters will be sent to every property owner along the targeted areas and city workers will try to make personal contact with homeowners to “ascertain their situation” before resorting to fines.

The pedestrian safety routes include the following:

‘East and West Lincoln Highway from Stadium Drive to Peace Road

ussell Road from Lucinda Avenue to Greenbrier Road

Normal Road from Lucinda Avenue to Ridge Drive

North and South First Street from Buena Vista Drive to Barb oulevard

North and South Second Street from Fisk Avenue to Barb Boulevard

North and South Third Street from Fisk Avenue to Taylor Street

North and South Fourth Street from Sycamore Road to Ball Avenue

North Sixth Street from Lincoln Highway to Pine Street

North and South Seventh Street from Pine Street to Grove Street

Sycamore Road from North Fourth Street to Oakland Drive.

When asked about legal liability if someone slips on a shoveled walk, city attorney Ron Matekaitis said unless residents deliberately pose safety problems, they are not liable for pedestrians who fall on their walks.