CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	Public Works		Commission Meeting Date:  March 21, 2017
Staff Contact:	Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Adopt City Administrative Policy 117, related to sidewalk hazard maintenance and repair requiring the adjacent property owners to make necessary sidewalk repairs to eliminate identified hazards, as set forth in City Code, 16-105.
Executive Summary:		In October 2016, the City Commission directed the City Manager to develop a sidewalk hazard repair program and policy based on recommendations from the Pedestrian–Bicycle Issues Task Force. The direction was for the City to actively inspect all public sidewalks and ADA access ramps for hazards against specific criteria. Adjacent property owners would be notified of any defect(s) and required to make necessary repairs(s) pursuant to City Code, 16-105, and Kansas State Statute. Staff has developed Administrative Policy 117 that outlines how the City will inspect, document and enforce the repairs for sidewalk hazards and ADA access ramps throughout the City of Lawrence. Staff developed a plan that divides the City into eight geographic areas. Each area is approximately the same amount of acreage. Each year the City will inspect a different section of the City until all eight sections have been completed. The annual plan is intended to divide the city into manageable areas for each year given current funding and staffing levels. The City will send out notification letter(s) to all property owners that have been identified to have a sidewalk hazard based on City Code, 16-105. As the process proceeds, additional letters may need to be sent. This program will contain a need-based financial assistance program and a grant funding program for certain situations. Any residential owner occupied home that receives a hazard notice may apply for income-based financial assistance using the established US Department of Housing and Urban Development application process and form. Additionally, grant assistance will be available to residential owner occupied homes that have actual sidewalk on more than one adjacent side of their property. As proposed, this grant would establish a 50/50 cost sharing opportunity for such properties between the City and homeowners’ who chose to utilize this option pursuant to the policy. A detailed overview of the proposed Sidewalk Hazard Maintenance and Repair Policy and procedures to implement the policy is attached to this memorandum.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management Core Services Collaborative Solutions Economic Growth and Security
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		If the Sidewalk Hazard Maintenance Policy and Program is approved, the cost to the City for the 2017 portion of the program is estimated to total $250,000. This includes funding for sidewalk and ADA ramp repairs that are the City’s responsibility, need-based financial assistance for qualifying individuals, and grant funding to assist with sidewalk repairs at owner-occupied residential properties where sidewalks exist on more than one edge of the property. The program’s cost to the City in future years will fluctuate as the program rotates into more physically challenging regions. After the first full 8-year cycle, program costs would be expected to stabilize compared to the first round of inspections. City staff proposes funding the 2017 program out of the Pedestrian, Bicycle and ADA Ramps CIP project (CIP# C109). Funding for CIP# C109 totals $450,000 in the 2017 Budget (funded $200,000 by Capital Improvement Reserve Fund and $250,000 by General Obligation Debt).
Attachments:		Administrative Policy 117 - Revised 03/20/17 Detailed Overview of Sidewalk Hazard Maintenance and Repair Policy and Procedures List of City of Lawrence licensed concrete contractors Other community research Map

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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