Committee forwards authorization to solicit bids for sidewalk beveling contract

The committee voted to forward a request authorizing staff to solicit bids for a concrete sidewalk beveling trip‑hazard removal contract, a multi-year procurement staff said is needed because in-house resources cannot keep pace with demand.

Deputy Director Desiree (last name not provided) told the committee the city maintains sidewalks on arterials and uses contractors to grind down raised concrete panels that create trip hazards. Staff proposed a not-to-exceed amount of $350,000 for a three-year term with an optional one‑year extension, funded from the street fund contract agreements line. Historically, the city has spent between $80,000 and $140,000 annually for this work, and the most recent contract produced nearly 3,000 repairs when task orders reached the full amount of the prior contract.

Committee members asked whether contractors work in concentrated areas and how the city handles resident reimbursement when private trees cause damage; staff said contractors typically complete geographic task orders and that the city has a program where about 17 homeowners to date have paid the city to repair sidewalk segments for which the owners are responsible. Staff said reimbursement work has ranged from about $250 to several thousand dollars depending on scope. A council member raised the policy question about resident responsibility for sidewalks and asked staff to consider revisiting the city’s sidewalk ordinance at a future Land Use meeting.

A committee member moved to forward authorization to solicit bids to the Feb. 18 consent agenda; the motion passed on a voice vote.