CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	City Manager’s Office		City Commission Meeting Date:  March 6, 2018
Staff Contact:	Brandon McGuire
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Receive staff report and provide input on the proposed sidewalk maintenance program as set forth in Administrative Policy No. 117, Sidewalk Hazard Repair Program.
Executive Summary:		Under existing State law and City Code, responsibilities for maintenance of most sidewalks lies with the abutting property owner. Recognizing that sidewalk maintenance has been deferred by the responsible parties, the City has undertaken extensive review and research related to sidewalk maintenance. Recent efforts include that of the Pedestrian-Bicycle Issues Task Force whose work included, among other tasks, a review of State and City laws concerning sidewalk maintenance responsibilities and related funding issues. The Task Force found that the City’s sidewalk maintenance policy, and administration of that policy, are not producing the desired results. In its review, the Task Force considered the following information based on a 2014 sidewalk maintenance inventory. Note, these estimated costs will increase as ancillary costs are considered, such as ADA curb ramps, utility relocations, right-of-way acquisition, and other work. Ø Repair of existing sidewalks and ADA ramps was estimated to cost $6.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Ø The cost to fill existing sidewalk gaps along Safe Routes to Schools and arterial and collector streets by constructing new sidewalks on both sides of the street was approximately $12.3 million. Ø The cost to fill existing sidewalk gaps along residential streets by constructing new sidewalks on both sides of the street would cost approximately $118.7 million. The Ped-Bike Task Force recommended establishing “an equitable and practical sidewalk repair program by 2017 that would bring all sidewalks and [accessible] curb ramps up to code by 2030.” In 2016 the City Commission reviewed the Task Force report as well as relevant laws pertaining to public funding options and liability issues. The Commission then directed the City Manager to develop a program to improve the administration of existing City Code provisions pertaining to sidewalk maintenance. Parameters of this program were presented to the Commission on March 21, 2017 in the form of Administrative Policy No. 117, Sidewalk Hazard Repair Program. The proposed program will enable the City to leverage its purchasing power to secure more competitive contractor quotes for property owners than they would likely be able to obtain on their own. The policy provides for income-based financial assistance for owner-occupied residential properties. It also establishes a cost-sharing option for owner-occupied properties with sidewalks abutting two or more sides of the property. Finally, the program provides for a process to place the cost of sidewalk repairs on property tax bills, should the Commission choose to assess those costs. State Statute allows for repayment of those costs to occur over a four-year period. The Commission deferred action on the program at the March 21, 2017 meeting, pending additional community input. The program will be submitted for reconsideration by the Commission in advance of the 2019 budget development process because it contemplates significant financial assistance for qualifying property owners. The program represents an equitable and practical sidewalk repair program, within the current legal framework and funding constraints, capable of bringing all sidewalks and ADA curb ramps into satisfactory condition by 2030.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Effective Governance/Professional Administration Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management Sound Fiscal Stewardship
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		Administrative Policy No. 117 is presented for consideration and feedback. If the City Manager is directed to move forward with the program, funding for the financial assistance offered by the program will be proposed in the City Manager’s recommended budget. The recommendation would be, at minimum, to utilize a significant portion of 2017 year-end General Fund balances to fund the assistance programs.
Attachments:		Administrative Policy No. 117 - Sidewalk Hazard Repair Program Sidewalk Inspection by Property Zones Map

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

☐TM ☐DS ☐CT ☒BM