Sidewalk Inspect Program 2006
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MEMORANDUM
February 28, 2006
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2006 Sidewalk Inspection Program
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is recommending a modification to the Sidewalk Inspection
Program allowing a 50% permit fee reduction if the sidewalk repair is completed prior to
the initial 30 day deadline.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Mich el C. Van Mllhgen
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Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psi hoyos, City Engineer
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MEMORANDUM
February 13, 2006
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer -.9:1 Q
TO:
SUBJECT: 2006 Sidewalk Inspection Program
BACKGROUND
In November 2006, the City Council approved the following changes to the Sidewalk
Inspection Policy:
. allowing a 60-day extension for repairs;
. providing an advance notification to property owners of sidewalk inspections;
. continuing the no-patch policy;
. adjusting permit fees; and
. reviewing dead-end/stub streets on a case-by-case basis for sidewalk
installation.
DISCUSSION
As we began to review the logistics of the program, we discovered another policy
change that warrants consideration. In regard to the advance notification to property
owners, under the policy change approved by the City Council, with the 30-day advance
notice, a 50% reduction in permit fees will be offered if the sidewalk is completed prior
to the scheduled inspection.
There may be advantages in cost and time if an additional policy change is made,
specifically, the 50% permit fee reduction will also be allowed if the sidewalk repair is
completed prior to the initial 30-dav deadline rather than only prior to the scheduled
inspection.
It is our intent to complete the first area of scheduled inspections in mid-April. This
additional policy change would give property owners until mid-May to complete sidewalk
repairs at the reduced permit fee. The advantages to this additional change are as
follows:
Page 2
February 13, 2006
. Potentially less inspection time will be required; i.e., different property owners
from the same area could call every day to have an inspector meet with them to
inspect their sidewalks.
. There would be fewer weather-related issues; Le., contractors trying to install
sidewalks in March where there may be frost in the ground.
. If all owners are notified at the same time, contractors will be in the area and may
provide a cost break if several property owners do the work at the same time.
Attached is a copy of the proposed 2006 Sidewalk Inspection route and a copy of the
advance notification letter to property owners. Barry Lindahl has reviewed these
documents and has concurred.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I would request that you review the proposed change and provide your thoughts.
cc: Jon Dienst, Civil Engineer II
Kelly Ambrosy, Engineering Assistant
Jane Smith, Engineering Assistant
Attachs.
Possible Routes for 2006 Sidewalk Inspection Proaram
Miles
Street Name Footaae X 2 Sides Per Area
Clarke Crest Drive 2,822 5,644 1.07
Clarke Crest Court 227 454 0.09
Knight Court 112 224 0.04
Spires Court 377 754 0.14
Spires Drive 1,192 2,384 0.45
Aspen Drive 1,744 3,488 0.66
Aspen Court 202 404 0.08
Dunham Court 197 394 0.07
Dunharm Drive 584 1,168 0.22
Kuehn Lane 335 670 0.13
Ravenwood Court 313 626 0.12
Lacey Court 287 574 0.11
Farrell Court 390 780 0.15
3.33 Miles
Wildwood Drive 1,327 2,654 0.50
Meadow Wood Drive 960 1,920 0.36
Wildwood Court 150 300 0.06
Northridge Drive 892 1,784 0.34
Boyer Street 1,913 3,826 0.72
Cotton Wood 188 376 0.07
Andrew Court 926 1,852 0.35
Shady Lane 1,168 2,336 0.44
Linda Court 393 786 0.15
3.00 Miles
Adair 1,741 3,482 0.66
0.66 Miles
Simpson 2,128 4,256 0.81
Cross Street 467 934 0.18
Southgate 1,503 3,006 0.57
Moore Heights 1,021 2,042 0.39
Altura 1,012 2,024 0.38
Cerro 1,022 2,044 0.39
Mesa 699 1,398 0.26
Corto 113 226 0.04
3.02 Miles
Short Street 880 1,760 0.33
Aurora 1,065 2,130 0.40
Admiral 1,809 3,618 0.69
Creston 1,097 2,194 0.42
Glenwood 699 1,398 0.26
2.10 Miles
other Possibilities
Candlewick
Brookview Square
Rockwood Court
Carriage Hill Court
Thronwood Drive
Carriage Hill Drive
Tanglewood Court
Thornwood Court
295
1,707
245
2,559
681
1,209
204
569
590
3,414
490
5,118
1,362
2,418
408
1,138
0.11
0.65
0.09
0.97
0.26
0.46
0.08
0.22
2.83 Miles
February 17, 2006
<<Property_Owner>>
<<Mailing_Address>>
<<CityStateZip>>
RE: 2006 Sidewalk Inspection Program
Parcel #: <<Parcel_>>
Legal: <<Legal_Description>>
Location: <<Property_Location>>
Dear <<Salutation>>:
Since 1989, the City of Dubuque has implemented a comprehensive and ongoing
Sidewalk Inspection Program. On an average, the City inspects approximately
10-12 miles of sidewalks per year.
The City of Dubuque Code of Ordinance requires that the abutting property
owner maintain the public sidewalk free from cracks, holes and unevenness so
that the sidewalk does not constitute a safety hazard.
As part of the Sidewalk Inspection Program, your neighborhood will be inspected
approximately April of this year. Once an inspection takes place, if there are
defects identified, you will be notified that you have thirty- (30) days to replace or
reconstruct your sidewalk. If you are unable to correct the defects within this
thirty- (30) day time frame, the City will allow an extension of sixty- (60) days
provided you sign an "Extension of Time for Sidewalk Repair and Indemnification
Agreement" which holds the City harmless from any claims for injuries or
damages that may result because of any sidewalk defect before the defect is
repaired.
Permits are required prior to performing any work within the City right-of-way.
The fee for the permit ranges from $10.00 to $50.00, depending on the extent of
the work required. However, if you choose to complete your work within the
original 30-day time period, you will receive a 50% reduction ($10.00 minimum)
in the permit fee.
Enclosed please find a copy of City of Dubuque Standards for defective
sidewalks/approaches. These standards explain the defects that are considered
to constitute a hazardous condition that will be marked for replacement at the
time of inspection. Please note that patching is not allowed.
As part of the Sidewalk Inspection Program, the City Inspector will also be
marking defective curbing for replacement by a City contractor. This curb
replacement is entirely at City cost, and it is anticipated that a contractor will be
performing the required curb work at approximately the same time as the
sidewalk inspections. If the curbing is marked near your drive approach, and you
have plans to alter or widen your approach, please give me a call and we can
coordinate the curb replacement with any private work you may wish to do.
If you have any questions regarding the details of the Sidewalk Inspection
Program, please contact me at (563) 589-1721.
Sincerely,
Kelly Ambrosy
Engineering Assistant
Ika