Council places sidewalk assessment ordinance on first reading, staff warns owners are responsible for repairs

The council placed on first reading an ordinance adopting proposed assessments for sidewalk repairs and authorized necessary signatures after staff clarified that, under Charter Ordinance 88, maintenance of sidewalks is the responsibility of adjacent property owners.

Paul Gounswell, Public Works and Utilities, said staff pulled the item after residents reported confusion about repair responsibility. He reviewed recent program activity: from June 2021–June 2022 the sidewalk program reviewed about 80–90 complaints and repaired roughly 90,000 square feet of sidewalk and 11 wheelchair ramps; in June 2022–June 2023 staff again received roughly 90 complaints and repaired about 90,000 square feet and 88 wheelchair ramps. From July 2023 through December 2024 — an 18‑month period — staff received 50 complaints and repaired about 50,000 square feet and 45 wheelchair ramps. Gounswell explicitly cited Charter Ordinance 88 and said snow removal is also the adjacent property owner’s responsibility.

After staff comments and an opportunity for public comment (no speakers), the mayor moved to approve the proposed assessments and place the ordinance on first reading; the motion passed 6‑0. The ordinance will return for required subsequent readings and final adoption procedures.

Staff said the program has observed a decline in complaints and repairs over recent months and emphasized the city’s practice of assessing properties when owners do not do required repairs. The council did not discuss changing the underlying charter ordinance; the action taken was to place the assessment ordinance on first reading to collect unpaid assessment authority and proceed with required signatures.