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Council hears sidewalk inspection update after Iowa Supreme Court ruling; staff recommends continuing current program
Summary
Staff briefed the council on changes in sidewalk-liability law after a state court ruling. The city will continue its four-year inspection program and letter-notification process while monitoring legislative changes and pursuing regular program improvements.
Urbandale staff briefed the council April 15 on the city's sidewalk inspection program and a recent Iowa Supreme Court decision that limits municipal ability to shift liability to adjacent property owners via ordinance.
Kristen Brostrom, who presented the program update, said the city inspects sidewalks on a four-year rotation (typically in May with seasonal interns) and usually identifies between 50 and 250 defects per year. Defects the city targets include vertical lips (the city's working tolerance is 1 inch for tripping hazards) and substantial cracking or spalling that creates holes.
Brostrom said the current process notifies property owners…
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