Sidewalk Ltr - Dave Meyers
Page 1 of 1
Jeanne Schneider
From: Meyers, Dave [dmeyers@westphalec.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 11 :01 AM
To: amichalski@cityofdubuque.org; rbuoI1@mchsi.com; dnicholson@cityofdubuque.org;
jmarkham@comerenergy.com; jconnors63@mchsi.com; pcline@cityofdubuque.org;
jschneid@cityofdubuque.org; ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
Subject: SIDEWALK REPAIR
Good morning:
I received a registered letter from the City of Dubuque on Friday, September 2,2005 notifying me of sidewalk
repairs I am required to make per City ordinance. Let me say I think this is a good program and I don't have
an issue keeping my walkways in good repair. I do have issues with the time frame in which I must complete
the repairs and the permit fees for the repairs.
First - I think 30-days from receipt of the registered letter to select a contractor(s), call the contractor(s) to view the
work in need of repair, get a written proposal from the contractor(s), review the bids and give the contractor of
choice the notice to proceed, and then to actually have the work completed is unreasonable. I would surmise
most of the areas viewed and tagged by the City have been that way for months, if not years, and suddenly the
home owner is mandated to make the repairs in 30-days. Combined with the schedule of a working couple and
the process of getting a reputable contractor to respond during the heart of the construction season, I would like
to see the time frame amended to 30-business days (which excludes weekends) or 60-calendar days.
Second - I think the permit fee for this repair is out of line. I work for an electrical contractor in Dubuque and take
out electrical permits on a regular basis. The minimum fee for an electrical permit is $17.50 and most permits for
an average call range from $20.00 to $30.00. I'm having a very difficult time justifying a $50.00 permit fee to
repair one sidewalk joint that can repaired with an electric grinder and concrete wheel. Why is it that the Building
Department can process the paperwork and do an electrical inspection for $17.50 to $30.00 while another City
department requires $50.00 to verify a joint repair on a public sidewalk? The $50.00 fee needs to be reviewed
and if not lowered, at least explained.
If I would be better served to attend a council meeting to present these same issues please tell me.
Thank you for your time.
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09/08/2005