I. RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Sidewalk Cost Sharing Program and begin accepting applicants as soon as the program is implemented.
II. BACKGROUND:
In August of 2020, an ordinance was passed to clarify the legal responsibility of maintaining sidewalks. This reflected the California Streets and Highway code. As a part of the ordinance passing, it was discussed about the potential for a “Cost Sharing” program. Staff received direction from Council to proceed with the further development of this program during the December 3rd meeting.
III. DISCUSSION:
Staff has outlined a program that addresses the major concern with exists with Coalinga’s sidewalk infrastructure. Much of it is old and not very well maintained. This is not a unique problem anywhere in California or even the US. With much of these pathways being the responsibility of the abutting property owner’s responsibility, it is easy to see why this has become such a common issue. Sidewalk repair and maintenance requirements may not be clear and can be expensive.
The goal of the cost share program is to contribute as much public funds as the City is able in a responsible manner and achieve the largest impact at the lowest price for the citizen.
A more in-depth program outline is attached to this report, but it can be reduced to the following:
- The City will engage with citizens and provide a subsidy which will provide 50-50 matching for sidewalk.
- The City will collect applicants for a period 3-4 months to create a large scope of work.
- The City will look for contractors to complete the work
- Payment for work completed for each resident will be collected upon project completion at a rate not to exceed published rates established by TriCity Engineering.
There are many variables in play with this program. It is the intent of Staff to monitor responses and performance year over year in an effort to adjust the program to its most usable and beneficial form.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
- Reject Program
- Request further reworking of program to meet new parameters
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
The program would utilize funds that have already been budgeted for sidewalk repair and maintenance. However, some of these funds have been allocated to a large-scale sidewalk survey and “shaving” of lips throughout the city this year. It is expected that we will be able to budget a similar amount of $ 50,000 in following budget years to fund this program. |