Council delays vote on right-of-way permitting after debate over bonds, notices and inspections

A city ordinance proposed to tighten rules for private work in the public right-of-way — adding a surety requirement, notice to abutters and a requirement for independent inspection of restoration work — drew prolonged debate at the Neighborhoods Community Services Public Health and Safety Committee and was deferred for further staff work.

Jason Teal of the Office of General Counsel explained the two technical amendments initially offered by auditors: replacing the undefined phrase “required improvements” with “permitted improvements” tied to a permit and clarifying that surety requirements apply to each permitted project rather than a single annual permit. Teal said the larger policy questions then in play included whether surety should be a flat annual amount or a percentage of project value, the radius and timing of required owner notices, and whether utilities or other public agencies should be exempt.

Industry represent…