State College property owners will have more time to get their shovels out next winter after a snowfall -- but if they leave their shovels inside, they risk running into increased enforcement and bigger fines.

The State College Borough Council voted unanimously last night to amend the borough's sidewalk ordinance. The new ordinance will modify the provisions for people who fail to remove snow, ice and other obstructions from their sidewalks.

Last month, the borough's Health Department made a proposal to the council to consider an amendment to the borough's sidewalk ordinance. Because of the enormous number of complaints this winter, the department wanted to change the provisions for failing to keep sidewalks clear for pedestrian use. Council members heard the recommendations and suggested several changes to the ordinance at their March 14 meeting and the proposal was redrafted for consideration last night.

The recommendations were to allow property owners 24, rather than 12, hours to clear sidewalks of ice and snow. The fines will be increased from $5 to $10 for the first violation and $25 for the second violation within the same winter season.

State College Borough Manager Peter Marshall said a winter season usually runs from December to March or April. The changes to the ordinance will take effect with the first snowfall of the 1994-95 winter season.

Under the new ordinance, property owners will now be held responsible for removing snow and ice from their sidewalks. Before the ordinance was passed, the occupants of a residence were held responsible for shoveling the snow. A number of problems arose this winter with the residents being held responsible.

"The buck would get passed," said council President Jean McManis. "Or in this case, the shovel."

McManis said the borough's code enforcement officer has been giving warnings to people who only shovel a narrow pathway through the snow. People in wheelchairs have difficulty getting through the narrow pathways, she said.

McManis said she started receiving sidewalk complaints from concerned residents early this winter.

"This has been a tough winter," she said, adding that the enforcement will be tougher next winter.

Next winter, the borough will intervene and hire contractors to clear the sidewalks of repeat offenders. The hired shoveling is going to be expensive, costing about $100, McManis said.

Council member Ruth Lavin said she was hoping the ordinance would be tougher on offenders. She said a $10 fine is not enough and she was hoping for first-offense fine of $20.

"That's like pocket money for some people," Lavin said, adding that it cost her more than $20 to have someone come in and shovel her sidewalk this winter.

In other council news, State College Mayor Bill Welch presided over the council meeting for the first time since undergoing a successful kidney transplant in February.