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Bloomington board commits $5,000 to Safe Step program, approves immediate sidewalk repairs
Summary
Trustees voted to hire Safe Step Safe Sidewalk Solutions with a $5,000 commitment for grinding repairs and approved a $1,500 repair near the Legion building; DPW will propose additional removal and replacement cost estimates.
The Village Board voted Oct. 6 to hire Safe Step Safe Sidewalk Solutions for $5,000 to perform sidewalk grinding repairs prioritized by safety and to develop a plan for longer-term repairs or removals.
Public Works Director Leitzinger told trustees many nearby communities use Safe Step’s grinding program and that for a starting commitment—commonly $5,000—the company will address the most hazardous sidewalk lips and grinding needs; when lips exceed what can be ground, Safe Step recommends full replacement. "Most towns start with a $5,000 commitment," Leitzinger said, and President Robert McLimans proposed committing half of the roughly $10,000 budgeted for 2026 to try the program.
Trustees voted unanimously to hire Safe Step for a $5,000 fee. Leitzinger agreed to develop a plan identifying candidate sidewalk segments for removal and provide cost estimates.
Separately, Leitzinger reported a $1,500 quote to repair a crack in the sidewalk lip near the Legion building; trustees approved that repair. The DPW also provided a $3,075 quote to repair a cracked storm drain at BCN and Pleasant Street, though Leitzinger warned that the price may change pending a subsurface inspection. Leitzinger raised a related operational concern about requiring grease traps for certain businesses after a sewer blockage caused by grease buildup; trustees asked him and Building Inspector Josh Copsey to investigate whether ordinance or code changes are appropriate.
The Safe Step contract and the Legion sidewalk repair were approved by unanimous vote; Leitzinger will return with a removal/replacement plan and cost estimates for future board consideration.
