HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW Sidewalk Repair Program Update PPTSidewalk Repair Program
History of the Sidewalk Repair Program
•2016: Outreach
•3 community meetings = 30 people
•Online survey= 388 respondents
•Considerable input through our online Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
system
•2017:
•City Council adopted Municipal Code Chapter 11.60, which, in accordance with
California Streets and Highway Code Section 5610, confirms that the responsibility of
sidewalk maintenance lies with the adjacent property owner.
•City Council called for the development of a pilot program to share the financial burden
associated with sidewalk maintenance between the City and the property owners and
encourage repairs to get done Citywide to reduce liability for all.
Phase One of the Sidewalk Repair Program
Important specifics of the program:
•Sidewalk displacement required to
be >2 inches
<2” repaired via shaving, City
covers full cost of shaving
•Staff assisted in the inspection and
encroachment permit processing
(waived $246 fee)
•City paid the contractor directly for
sidewalk replacement and then
billed the resident
Phase One Stats (1/2018-4/2022)
•Number of properties repaired: 431 (avg. ~100/year)
•Average reimbursement : $1,388.00
•Average cost to property owner: $2,297.00
*Based on signed agreements, does not include changes beyond initial inspection/work
Challenges of Phase One
•Required significant staff time
•Invoices were frequently paid late or not at all
•The program utilized only one contractor during phase one, owners were
unable to select contractor of their choice
•Only one neighborhood was being addressed at a time. This created a backlog.
•Staff invested time on applications that did not go through with work
•Sidewalk repairs based on resident requests, not highest risk area
Phase Two of the Program
•Transitioned to Phase 2 in April of 2022 based on Phase 1 learnings
•Applicants can now select a contractor of their choice, alleviating the backlog that
occurred when addressing only one neighborhood at a time with one contractor
This also reduced some burden on staff time for managing program
•Property owners pay their contractor in full and apply for reimbursement from the
city after construction is complete, eliminating City’s risk of not being reimbursed
•The reimbursement rate is the same as in phase one. City still waives
Encroachment Permit fee
•Number of properties that have applied for program since start of
new program (April 2022): 96 (Avg. ~50/year)
•Number of properties that have completed under phase two: 60
•Average Total Cost: $7,631
•Average City reimbursement to owner: $3,014
•Average cost to owner: $4,617
*Based on paid reimbursements
Phase Two Stats (March 2022-Present)
The Future of the Program
•What is the goal of the program?
o Maximize participation / fix highest need/volume areas / reduce liability
•Addressing outstanding invoices from phase one
•Adjusting the reimbursement amount to meet current market
•Process for property owners who do not want to join the program, but have
sidewalks that have been determined to be tripping hazards
o Options: Do nothing / fix and bill / fix and City cover’s cost
Recommendations
1.Make the program permanent with a 3rd Phase
•Add a proactive, targeted approach to maximize highest volume/risk areas
•Continue voluntary program as well
2.Increase allowable reimbursement amount by $1,000
•Increase program acceptance by property owners in proactive approach
•Lower City liability and improve sidewalks
•Authorize CPI increase in allowable reimbursable amount with a max of 3.5%/FY
3.Recover Phase 1 costs with 90 grace period with round of invoices
•Coordinate collections approach with rest of City
4.Properties that don't want to participate -> Fix & Bill
•Perform work in batches, with nearby work or with City’s selected contractor
Learning more about the program
1.Property owner applies for the program via SeeClickFix
2.An encroachment permit is opened for the property at no charge
3.DPW inspector conducts a pre-construction inspection and logs measurements of required repairs
4.Owner is sent a copy of measurements to give to a contractor of their choice to get a proposal
5.Owner emails a copy of the proposal to DPW
6.An agreement packet is created reflecting the reimbursement rate. It is reviewed and signed by
the property owner, the contractor, and a DPW representative
7.The encroachment permit is approved after all parties have signed the Agreement
8.Construction can commence after permit is approved
9.After construction is complete, owner is to notify DPW to schedule a final inspection
10.After the final inspection is completed and approved, property owner is to pay the contractor in
full and send in receipt of payment to DPW
11.The city will process the reimbursement and a check is mailed to owner
Sidewalk Repair Program StepsReference Slide