Mayor proposes 60‑day moratorium on sidewalk enforcement while new ordinance is drafted

Mayor Brennan told council the law department is drafting a new sidewalk ordinance at his direction and that he has asked the city law director to prepare a 60‑day moratorium on enforcing sidewalk repairs that the administration believes are caused by city‑planted trees. "If council will commit to a brief but formal moratorium on enforcing repairs on sidewalk issues ostensibly caused by city owned tree lawn trees and pass a new ordinance on sidewalks within 60 days, I will agree to suspending enforcement pursuant to such ordinance," the mayor said.

Why it matters: Sidewalk repair policies affect homeowners' responsibilities, municipal maintenance budgets and pedestrian safety.

Council members discussed the proposal during committee reports and in building and housing committee updates. Council member Wen Weiser said building and housing will continue work on coordinating a plan for exterior inspections and sidewalk scheduling to avoid overlap with 2026 inspections. The finance director indicated she would prepare information about potential funding sources before the next meeting.

Clarifying details: Council members said typical localized repairs to level sidewalk squares can cost around $1,200 per block; the mayor and council discussed using shade‑tree assessment funds to help with repairs where city trees caused damage. The law director indicated it appears legally permissible to tie shade‑tree funds to tree‑related sidewalk maintenance if the ordinance language supports that use.

Next steps: The building and housing committee planned a focused discussion on sidewalks at its Sept. 15 meeting; administration will draft a moratorium and a proposed ordinance for council consideration.