Jody Slabaugh, 222 West Ninth Street, told the City of La Porte Common Council on Monday that a recent flyer included with utility bills misstates who is responsible for sidewalk repairs.

"The homeowners are not responsible to repair sidewalks in the city of La Porte," Slabaugh said, citing a 2009 federal court order and a stipulation requiring funds set aside for emergency repairs for residents with mobility impairments. He said the stipulation called for $50,000 to $100,000 to be reserved for emergency sidewalk repairs and that the flyer may create public misunderstanding about enforcement and responsibility.

The presiding official responded that code-enforcement staff follow up when residents call with complaints, including issues such as grass growing through sidewalks or vehicles parking on sidewalks. "So when there are issues, our residents call, and they have to address it," the presiding official said.

Slabaugh asked the council to issue a public clarification correcting the flyer language. The council did not take formal action during the meeting to change the flyer or to instruct staff to issue a statement.

Background: Slabaugh referenced a 2009 federal court order and an associated stipulation related to sidewalk responsibility and emergency-repair funding; no case name or ordinance citation was provided during his comments. He also said the city previously set aside funds because of a prior fiscal shortfall. The council’s public-record response in this meeting was limited to a statement about code-enforcement follow-up when complaints are filed.

Ending: Slabaugh concluded his remarks by asking the council to make a public correction; no formal directive was recorded on the council floor at this meeting.