Sidewalk Installation Financial Assist Funding (2)
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MEMORANDUM
July 26, 2005
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: New Sidewalk Installation: Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is recommending City Council approval of a revision to the
sidewalk program to provide financial assistance for new sidewalk installation costs for
eligible low- and moderate-income, owner-occupied residential properties. The program
would be similar to other City financial assistance programs offering financial assistance
on a sliding scale based on income. The funding for this year would come from the
balance in the line item for the City to install sidewalks abutting City-owned properties.
It is recommended the program be retroactive to April 1, 2005.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psi hoyos, City Engineer
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MEMORANDUM
July 27, 2005
TO:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer ~O
New Sidewalk Installation: Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity
FROM:
SUBJECT:
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to recommend a program to provide financial assistance to
fund new sidewalk installation costs for eligible low-and-moderate income, owner-
occupied properties.
The program would be implemented as part of the City Council's direction that City staff
provide a mechanism to reduce special assessments or costs for abutting property
owners for new sidewalk installation for projects such as the Pennsylvania-Radford Road
and Asbury Road Sidewalk Installation Projects. The program would also include any
new sidewalks that the City requires or approves.
BACKGROUND
Under the current City policy, a property owner who is required to replace an existinq
sidewalk may be eligible for assistance through CDBG funding if program guidelines are
met.
Also, it should be mentioned that the Housing & Community Development Department
has a rehabilitation loan program for qualified homeowners and rental property owners for
new sidewalks if it is part of an overall rehabilitation program for their property.
During Fiscal Year 2005 - 2006, concrete costs have risen approximately 12 percent.
Based on the prevailing rate of $20 to $25 per lineal foot, property owners may face costs
ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 for new sidewalk installations.
DISCUSSION
The sidewalk inspection program could be expanded to include financial assistance to
eligible property owners for new sidewalk installations. The program would continue
assistance on replacement of defective walks. The expanded program would be
developed similar to existing assistance programs used for street and sewer
assessments for owner-occupied residential properties.
The program now in effect uses a formula based on a graduated income scale. (See
attached summary of recommended income levels).
Assistance would be available for 20 percent to 100 percent of the sidewalk installation
costs, based upon the number of persons in the household and income level as verified
by required documentation. It is recommended that the funding for this new extended
assistance program come from the CIP 3501425 for City-Owned Sidewalk, with a balance
of approximately $40,000. The funding source would be evaluated and reviewed at
budget time for other available funding options.
The effective date of the pFOgram could be the date of City Council approval of the
recommended financial assistance program or April 1, 2005, the beginning of the 2005
construction season.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I recommend that the sidewalk program be revised to provide financial assistance for new
sidewalk installation costs for eligible low-and-moderate income, owner-occupied
residential properties.
cc: Dawn Lang, Budget Director
Jane Smith, Engineering
Kelly Ambrosy, Engineering