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Engineering director outlines ordinance to require bonds for street cuts and resurfacing
Summary
Dolores Martinez, director of engineering, told council the ordinance will require bonds or deposits at permit issuance to guarantee mill-and-pave or trench restoration work is completed and allow the city to step in if contractors fail to finish.
The Newark Department of Engineering presented an ordinance on first reading to increase accountability when private entities or utilities disturb city streets.
Dolores Martinez, the department director, told the council the permit process would include a bond or deposit equal to the estimated restoration work. “So what we're trying to do is in the permit process before they do the work, we're trying to, bond or put a deposit, which is equivalent to the work that they're gonna be performing,” Martinez said. If a permittee walks away or fails to complete the restoration within the allotted time, the city would use the bond to finish the work and ensure streets are repaved and restored.
Council members asked for clarifications about enforcement and grace periods; Martinez said there would be a grace period appropriate to the work and that the city has previously stepped in when permits were pulled and work was not finished.
The ordinance was presented for first reading; due to advertising deadlines it will be scheduled for public hearing on Dec. 17.
