Board hears city explain sidewalks are private property; police cite education-first enforcement

Assistant City Manager Michael Rice told the Mayor’s Advisory Board for People with Disabilities that the city “does not own the sidewalks nor do we manage or maintain the curbs and gutters within the city of Abilene and that is by municipal ordinance.” He said the city inspects new sidewalks and curb ramps to ensure ADA standards are met but that repair of existing sidewalks typically falls to property owners unless a street failure caused the damage.

Board members raised several accessibility concerns: a constituent who uses a wheelchair and is blind reported sidewalks blocked by leaves and ramps that become impassable when flooded. Rice said the street department will investigate drainage problems that create standing water, but repeated maintenance and some conflicts between driveway design and sidewalks remain a property-owner responsibility.

Sgt. Andrew Mason, traffic-division sergeant, described how police handle parking complaints that block sidewalks. “A lot of the complaints about parking on a sidewalk, they come directly to me,” he said, adding that officers often use education rather than issuing citations in neighborhoods with shallow driveways and larger vehicles. Mason offered his card and said the constituent could contact him to arrange neighborhood outreach and homeowner education visits.

The board did not adopt new enforcement policy at the meeting; members were advised to direct constituents to law enforcement for enforcement questions and to city building inspection or public works for construction-related sidewalk concerns.