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Oglesby council to inventory sidewalks, weigh funding and enforcement options
Summary
Commissioner discussion centered on creating a townwide sidewalk inventory (proposed via satellite/GIS) to guide repairs, Safe Routes to School funding, and decisions about whether homeowners or the city will pay for installations; no formal vote was taken, item returned to a future agenda.
The Oglesby City Council agreed May 18 to pursue a townwide inventory of sidewalks as a first step before deciding how to pay for new sidewalks or enforcement. Presiding official (reading the mayor's report in Mayor Curran’s absence) and Commissioner McDermott urged the council to get a clear map of where sidewalks exist and their condition.
"I think we need to have some sort of inventory of sidewalks," the presiding official said, arguing that a comprehensive picture would make funding and prioritization decisions easier. Commissioner McDermott said satellite imagery would be the most efficient way to compile that data and offered to bring results to the next meeting: "The best way to do it would be by satellite." He cautioned the council that a house-by-house survey would be time-consuming.
Council members discussed funding options, including the Safe Routes to School program for areas near schools and the potential for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in targeted corridors. Several members raised equity and maintenance concerns: older neighborhoods have missing or crumbled sidewalks, and residents might object if the city installs sidewalks in some areas but not others.
No ordinance or budget decision was made. Councilors directed staff to pursue satellite/GIS mapping and present findings at a future meeting so the council can consider costs, grant eligibility and whether homeowner contributions or city funding are appropriate.
The sidewalk inventory issue will remain on a future agenda for further consideration and estimates.
