CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Pass the ordinance approving the 2023 Sidewalk Removal and Replacement Program Property Owner’s Cost Sharing Program
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: William J. Novack, Director/City Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Transportation, Engineering, and Development (TED) Business Group is responsible for the maintenance of the City’s sidewalk system. The Roadway Maintenance Improvement Program (MIP) includes projects to maintain roadways and the adjacent pedestrian network. These projects offer a programmatic approach to ensure the City is improving safety concerns and in compliance with ADA standards. Additionally, the City operates a citywide annual program based on requested inspection locations and complaints. Repairs are performed to reduce long-term maintenance costs and limit exposure to claims against the City.
DISCUSSION:
The Municipal Code provides a cost sharing policy by which the property owner and the City share the cost for the repair or replacement of sidewalk and curb that meet established criteria. An enabling ordinance is the official mechanism that will provide a special taxation of properties where work is performed, and the property owners’ costs share can be recovered by the City. Generally, in residential areas, the cost is split 60% City and 40% property owner. In commercial settings, the split is 50% City and 50% property owner.
Property owners either call to request an inspection or staff identifies locations while inspecting streets for the resurfacing projects. Properties are verified by TED inspectors to meet eligibility requirements. A list of all 2,529 properties identified as eligible for replacement as part of the 2023 Sidewalk and Curb Maintenance Program is attached as Exhibit A to the ordinance.
Initial contact was made with each cost-sharing participant at the time sidewalk defects were identified. Final determination of quantities and cost participation for each property owner will be completed after the sidewalk is replaced and inspected by the City. Invoices will be mailed monthly to property owners for completed work.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City sends out bills to the residents only after the work has been completed and inspected by staff. Billing requests are processed monthly on a rolling basis once sites are marked complete. Residents will have 30 days to pay the bill before late fees begin to be assessed.
Additionally, the City has again budgeted money in the Social Services Grant (SSG) fund to assist residents with their portion of the sidewalk bills. Qualification for this program is based on income limits as determined by HUD.