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Lemoore City Council approves cost-sharing plan to replace sidewalks. Budget approved
Councilmembers also approved the 2018-19 budget. Again, only Blair voted against it.
According to city officials, sidewalk maintenance has long been a problem for the community and the city, particularly for sidewalks separated from the street by a three or four-foot “parkway,” a landscaping area usually consisting of grass.
Many sidewalks throughout the city have deteriorated due to age or nearby trees whose roots have “lifted” sidewalks where in many places they can be labeled a hazard. Such sidewalks are an eyesore in some areas and create safety issues for those who use sidewalks.
“We’ve been putting about $100,000 a year into our sidewalks,” said Lemoore City Manager Nathan Olson. “What this would do is that if a homeowner wants to fix (a) sidewalk it will allow them to come in and apply for the program, get their permits and we’ll share the cost of their sidewalk repair up to $2,500 per household. And it’s on a first-come-first-serve basis. When the money runs out, we’ll stop the program and hopefully have additional funding for it again the in the following year.”
The normal responsibility for sidewalk maintenance rests with the homeowner. However, city officials acknowledge that repairing sidewalks, including removing and replacing trees, can be quite expensive and a burden to the property owner.
Staff, at Tuesday’s city council meeting, recognized this hardship and drafted an ordinance creating a cost-sharing program. According to the proposed law, property owners, or tenants, may apply to get reimbursed up to $2,500 for the repair of damaged sidewalks, including tree removal and replacements.
Eligibility requirements include:
• Submitting an application prior to work commencing
• Sidewalk(s) must be within city limits
• Appropriate permits must be filed prior to work being started
• Work must pass a city inspection prior to reimbursement
The city has budgeted $100,000 for the program and it would be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The cost-sharing program was well received by most members of the council. Only Councilmember Holly Blair voted against the proposal, suggesting that the program limit itself to homeowners who reside on the property rather than property owners or landowners.
“I’d like it to be on a first come, first serve basis, but have the homeowner be the priority,” said Blair. “We have owners of homes here who don’t live in the city, who rent. We have a lot of young entrepreneurs who sometimes have multiple complexes, and I would hate to see those who don’t actually live in the vicinity take advantage of the program before the citizens that live here.”
Olson reminded the council that the sidewalks are for everybody’s use – and everybody benefits. He also said there is a $2,500 cap. He said that any sidewalk that gets fixed is a “win for the city” and the purpose of the program is to repair bad sidewalks.
Councilmember Chedester suggested the city advertise the program on the city’s water bill for two months before accepting any applications.
City Budget
Councilmembers voted 4-1 to approve the new city budget. Despite praising Finance Director Heather Corder for her work on this year’s budget, Councilmember Blair voted against it.
“This is something people can take a look at and read. It’s easy to understand,” said Councilmember Dave Brown.
“Very transparent,” echoed Councilmember Jeff Chedester.
The adopted plan calls for a $27 million budget for all funds while the city’s Capital Improvement Plan adds another $29.5 million to the total spending plan. The city’s General Fund is slightly out of balance with $12,801,780 in expenditures and $12,564,780 in projected revenues. The city’s General Fund Reserve will probably be required to make up the difference.
