Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sidewalks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Centreville adopts amended sidewalk ordinance making town responsible except when property owner causes damage
Summary
At its Jan. 2 meeting the Centreville Town Council approved Ordinance 11-2024 (second reading), changing sidewalk repair responsibility so the town handles repairs except where a property owner directly causes the damage; the town may still pursue third parties.
The Centreville Town Council voted Jan. 2 to adopt the amended Ordinance 11-2024, which shifts routine responsibility for sidewalk repairs to the town while keeping property owners liable only if they directly cause the damage.
Town Attorney Sharon Van Emberg said the version before the council narrowed owner responsibility compared with earlier drafts. “Property owners were gonna be responsible for the repairs to the sidewalks, but the version that you have before you today now is only if a property owner causes damage to the sidewalk, are they responsible? In all other circumstances, the town will take responsibility,” Van Emberg said. She added the change does not “preclude the town from going after third parties if a third party causes damage.”
The ordinance had a public hearing and required publication before final action. Town Clerk Gaye Adams certified that “Ordinance number 11 2024 was published in the Bay Times Record Observer, December 13, 2024.” The council closed the public hearing and proceeded to a second-reading vote at the Jan. 2 meeting.
During the roll call on the motion to adopt the amended ordinance, Council member Huffer voted yes, Council Vice President Kiel voted yes, and Council member Wirth voted yes. A motion to adopt the ordinance was made and seconded on the council floor; the clerk conducted a roll-call vote and the ordinance was approved.
The amendment is intended to give the town clear authority and responsibility to repair sidewalks except where fault is shown for damage. The council did not specify a timeline for inspection or for budgeting the repairs during the meeting; those implementation steps were not set in the meeting record.
The town will retain authority to pursue third parties that cause damage to sidewalks, and the ordinance will be codified as Ordinance 11‑2024 following publication and processing by town staff.
