The City Council tomorrow considers an ordinance proposed by Councilor Tito Jackson (Roxbury) that would exempt homeowners over 60 or who have disabilities from having to shovel their sidewalks after a snowstorm.

Shoveling can lead to serious health problems for the elderly and disabled, including respiratory illness, heart attacks, falls, broken bones and death. The current shoveling laws force elderly and disabled residents to choose

between being fined and health risks.

Jackson notes several other Massachusetts communities have passed similar exemptions.

If the council follows its usual practice, it will refer the proposal to a committee for a public hearing before actually voting on it.