Public works updates council on curb and sidewalk programs; deadline set for 2026 requests

Public Works project engineer Gemma Sant updated committee members on the city’s curb and sidewalk programs and asked council members to submit requests for the 2026 construction season by Oct. 31, 2025.

Sant reminded the committee that, under the municipal code, "the maintenance and repair of curb and sidewalk is the responsibility of each individual property owner," but outlined two city programs to assist property owners: a curb and sidewalk reimbursement program open to any property owner and an annual council allocation program focused on low‑income residential properties in very poor condition. She said funding remains available for 2025 and urged applications.

For 2025 the city scheduled about 14,000 linear feet of sidewalk and 10,000 linear feet of curb replacement, translating to approximately 1,500 feet of sidewalk and 1,100 feet of curb per council member; Sant said council members may donate allocations to colleagues and encouraged contiguous block work to reduce unit prices.

Sant described an online GIS tool that logs requests, shows prior years’ requests and tracks footage used from each council member’s allocation; project engineer Caitlin Wyant will email detailed instructions on using the tool and will accept emailed lists from council members who prefer not to use the GIS interface. Sant said staff inspects requested properties in late fall and compiles bid documents in January–February so construction can proceed May–December, and she noted the early deadline helps the city plan and save costs.

Committee members thanked staff for the update. Sant said the tool remains open year‑round for updates and reiterated the Oct. 31, 2025 deadline for 2026 allocations.