The city and the county have been in negotiations for months concerning the upkeep of the four-story, 600-space garage connected to the Government Services Center. A report prepared by the county last year estimates the amount owned by Hamilton at $495,924.

But recent public safety issues concerning snow removal have added an element to the settlement negotiations.

Two significant snow accumulations after after Christmas left the fifth floor, which is uncovered and maintained by the city, slick and snowy, according to some who lease spaces from the city at $35 a month.

Drivers said they were told to move their vehicles one floor down, but then received warning notices about parking in unauthorized spaces. . The city owns half the spaces on the fourth floor and the county the other half.

A couple of those people work in the county treasurer’s office, raising the concern of Treasurer Nancy Nix, who informed county and city officials.

“Whenever there is snow, the fifth floor is not well-plowed, and in the ensuing days the lot becomes icy and dangerous,” Nix wrote in an email to City Manager Joshua Smith. She added one of her employees fell due to the conditions.”The city has tried to be responsive about the fifth floor and has let my employees know to park on the 4th floor during inclement weather. However, the county offers parking enforcement as part of its services to the city in its lease agreement. Therefore, my employees park on the 4th floor per the city’s instruction, but then receive warning tickets from the county.”

Craig Koger, Hamilton superintendent of streets and sewers, said the city is now making plowing and treatment of the fifth floor a priority.

This week the city and the county discussed the matter further and came to an agreement for inclement weather.

“Whenever there is snow and ice making the ramp difficult to travel up, people will be permitted to move in to empty slots on the fourth floor,” said Rich Engle, city director of public works.

The county will also be informed about the move so that warning notices are not be placed on the vehicles.

County Administrator Charles Young said communication should take care of the misunderstanding. But county officials noted the warnings are necessary because not all heed signs marked reserved.

Young said the city and the county have a draft of an agreement for payment of the city’s obligation for the garage and it should be approved soon.