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Council approves $50,000 sidewalk assessment contract after debate over enforcement and student intern support
Summary
Council voted to approve a StreetScan sidewalk assessment contract to map and grade sidewalks citywide. Debate focused on whether an intern and GIS mapping could substitute, enforcement implications and next steps for repair funding and homeowner notification.
City Council approved a $50,000 contract to hire StreetScan for a comprehensive sidewalk assessment, mapping and condition grading after a lengthy debate over enforcement, costs and whether existing or volunteer resources could perform the work.
Council member Michael Norman, sponsor of the resolution, argued the assessment is the “horse that gets us going” and said the study would produce the data needed to estimate repair costs and prioritize work. “This gives us that first step so that we can go to that second step and figure out… now we know where these problem areas are,” Norman said. He added the software would produce grades and dollar estimates that the city could use to pursue funding and to plan repairs.
Other council members and some administration officials cautioned against relying solely on short-term or unpaid labor. Mayor (name not recorded in the transcript) said the administration was pursuing a Morpsey intern to GIS the storm-sewer system and possibly sidewalks, but council members warned that the intern’s priorities and time could be focused on storm sewer first.
Council member Brent McDaniels said a full professional assessment, not an ad hoc intern inventory, is needed before the city begins enforcing existing ordinances that require property owners to maintain sidewalks. “We have ordinances in place… somebody has to put together a program,” McDaniels said. Supporters of the StreetScan contract said the data would allow the city to estimate costs, target grants and design a fair program, including hardship or assistance options for property owners on fixed incomes.
After discussion, council voted to approve the appropriation and contract for StreetScan. The contract includes video and rating of sidewalk segments and will produce a systemwide dataset intended to support planning, budgeting and grant applications. Council members said the data will be used to develop a multi-year sidewalk plan and to inform any future enforcement, assistance or phased repair program.
Council directed staff to continue work on GIS mapping for storm sewer and sidewalks, to coordinate with the auditor’s office on budgeting and to explore grant and assistance options for homeowners where repairs may present a financial hardship.
