05-31-12 Meeting Notes
Sidewalk Task Force Committee Meeting Notes
May 31, 2012
Approved 6/4/12
Attended: Scott Bever, Jim Fowler, Dave Hyde, Sam Liebert (via phone part of
meeting), Eric Levitt, Ed Madere, Tom McDonald, Marcia Nelesen, Ken Osborn, Linda
Osborn, Russ Steeber, Carol Tidwell, Dan Warden, Carl Weber, Bob Yeomans
Absent: Chuck Behm
Committee approved meeting notes of May 23, 2012.
Carol Tidwell will take notes and retain them for the committee. She went over
consensus definitions and meeting guidelines. Everyone was in favor to use consensus
format.
Eric Levitt indicated the current sidewalk plan provides two methods of installation:
owner installs his own sidewalk or City hires contractor to install. If homeowner elects
to have City contractor install the sidewalk, homeowner has the option to pay the cost
over 5 years (up to 10 years if meet certain requirements) on his property tax bill. The
City Council approved the 2011 and 2012 sidewalk programs be awarded a fixed
finance rate of 3%. Public land included on the sidewalk plan is paid by the General
Fund.
Clarification was made by Eric Levitt that the map itself (not Council Policy #70 on
Sidewalks) is the Pedestrian Transportation Corridor Plan (ie Sidewalk Plan). Staff will
provide each committee member with a map of the whole Pedestrian Transportation
Corridor Plan.
Next, committee members expressed their concerns about the sidewalk plan. Thus, the
following list was composed:
1. Sidewalks are a common good but cost is borne by property owner – inequitable.
2. Costs to property owner are perhaps inflated by city to be > cost of sidewalk &
city overhead (positive cashflow to city).
3. Not getting connectivity – gaps.
4. Usability of sidewalks – e.g. on Milton but not frontage road
5. Need for addressing future use/need for sidewalks – e.g. St. Mary’s Hospital
to/from downtown.
6. Sidewalks may not be needed at this time – why spend $ this way – when other
needs exist.
7. Lack of criteria for where sidewalks will go.
8. Neighborhood plans may not have been used to create sidewalk plan.
9. Property owners who have already paid for sidewalks on their property – inequity
of their paying again.
10. Perhaps alternatives to sidewalks were not evaluated.
Carl Weber clarified how the City charges for sidewalk installation. Property owner is
charge contractor rate plus a percentage of management cost. Higher charge costs
may be attributed to statutory requirements of paying prevailing wages, contractor
having to post a bond, tree locations, and retaining wall required. City encourages
homeowners to install their own sidewalk.
Discussion continued on how to formulate priorities/a ranking system. Committee
members want to evaluate cost versus benefit. Eric Levitt recommended the committee
consider inconnectivity first and cost/financing later. Geography will also play a role.
Eric Levitt referred the committee to page 2 of Mike Payne’s April 19, 2012 memo
regarding “Sidewalk Corridor Ranking”. Carl Weber explained the meaning behind each
ranking criteria item staff used to help them define the importance as to when to install
sidewalk (prioritize).
Scott Bever provided a handout of suggested sidewalk criteria and further defined each
item. Bob Yeomans recommended “population density” be added to the list. Eric Levitt
recommended #5 (Subdivision restrictions and plat map designations – Review
individual subdivision plat maps for sidewalk designation) and #6 (Neighborhood
expectations and history – Review previously planned and unplanned sidewalk
locations) be used as a secondary review point and not listed on the criteria list since
covenants are private contractual agreements and not binding to the City.
Carl Weber asked that the committee provide more detail or input for each criteria item
so staff will have more direction when applying.
Eric Levitt informed members of the open meeting law. Five or more members
five or more committee memberscannot meet or
constitute a quorum; therefore,
communicate together
outside of a committee meeting.
Next meeting is Monday; June 4, 2012; at 2:30PM in Training Room #416 at the
Municipal Building. The agenda will pick up where it left off today – on item #5 (Discuss
and formulate priorities/a ranking system by which to evaluate the sidewalk plan and to
determine future retrofitting in existing neighborhoods and areas.).
Submitted by Suzanne Wellnitz