Bronson council authorizes formal sidewalk inspection and repair program; residents ask about billing

The Bronson City Council voted to authorize a formal sidewalk inspection and repair program (resolution 26-6-16) after staff described the intent to identify hazardous or broken sidewalk sections and notify property owners to make required repairs.

Brandon said the resolution empowers the city manager’s office to identify hazardous sections, notify responsible property owners and provides a fair process that gives homeowners “reasonable time to complete the repairs before the city takes further action or makes special assessments.” He said inspections would begin this summer and staff hopes to move toward an annual program assessing different sections of town.

During public discussion residents asked whether the city could arrange a single, bid contract to secure a lower unit price and then bill individual property owners for their share. One speaker said, “I don’t want to deal with getting a contractor in this. I want the city to take care” and asked whether the city would simply issue a bill at the end. Staff responded that the city could provide a list of contractors or, if residents prefer, bid work out as a single contract so the unit price would be lower and the city could manage the bidding process. Staff said the city would make contractor information available and, if necessary, bid remaining work out to a single contractor and assess costs as allowed by code.

Council approved the resolution after the discussion; the motion and vote were recorded in the meeting transcript though individual roll-call tallies were not provided.

Next steps described by staff include public outreach, inspecting sidewalks this summer and preparing a contractor list and bid process if widespread repairs are needed.