Council amends sidewalk commission ordinance to add member, adopts emergency clause

Bowling Green City Council amended its codified ordinances to expand the sidewalk commission from seven to eight members and adopted the ordinance with an emergency clause so the change can take effect before the commission’s next meeting.

The council substituted a revised version of Ordinance 9,292 and voted to adopt it as amended and with an emergency clause. The change adds one citizen member; the ordinance preserves the existing requirement for at least two members from the east side and at least two from the west side and retains representation from the traffic commission and the director of public safety.

Councilman Bill Harold, who moved the amendment and later described it as a compromise to add citizen voice without removing existing members, said the commission “is not a very contentious commission” and that adding a member provides an additional citizen viewpoint. Council members noted that an even-numbered commission can result in tie votes, but several said that in practice sidewalk commission votes are rarely split.

Council President Robinette asked whether the city could use other funding sources for sidewalks; council discussion referenced a separate 50/50 property-owner assistance program and a fund the finance director said currently holds approximately $450,000 for property-owner sidewalk repairs. The council clarified that the sidewalk commission’s work and the street-repair fund are separate: multi-use paths and sidewalk work tied to larger street projects may draw on the street-repair fund, while the 50/50 program is a distinct assistance fund for property owners.

The adoption included the emergency clause so the mayor can appoint the additional member and the commission can meet in August, council members said. The ordinance amends section 30.115(b) of the codified ordinances and takes effect immediately under the adopted emergency clause.