RESOLUTION NO. 090500

Directing the City Manager to establish a long-term, sustainable City-wide curb and sidewalk improvement program to improve the conditions of the Citys curbs and sidewalks to approved industry standard.

WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City, Missouri contains hundreds of miles of sidewalks and curbing utilized by the public on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary that the sidewalks and curbing be maintained by the abutting property owners in a state of good repair such that the public is able to safely utilize the same; and

WHEREAS, the City is empowered to make any necessary repairs and assess the costs to the abutting owners in situations where they fail to do so or otherwise petition the City to perform the work; and

WHEREAS, the costs of replacing sidewalks and curbing can be significant and impose unnecessary financial burdens on property owners if not handled prudently; and

WHEREAS, there are occasions in which identifiable sections of sidewalks and curbing can be reconstructed without replacing those sections that are in a state of good repair; and

WHEREAS, only replacing those sections of sidewalks and curbing that are in need of repair will enable the City to complete more projects than it otherwise would in a given year thereby making more sidewalks and curbing safe, saving taxpayer money, and decreasing the financial strain on property owners; and

WHEREAS, replacing those sections of sidewalks and curbing to approved industry standards can help sustain the life of the infrastructure such that fewer replacement projects are needed and the City is required to address the same areas on a less frequent basis; NOW, THEREFORE,

  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

  Section 1. That the City Manager is directed to establish a long-term, sustainable City-wide curb and sidewalk improvement program to improve the conditions of the Citys curbs and sidewalks to approved industry standards with priority given to the following goals:

        All curbs and sidewalks are to be brought to acceptable standards city-wide within 25 years.

        The financial impact to residential property owners shall be kept to reasonable minimums.

        The program should not require the reconstruction of any section of sidewalks or curbing unless the conditions are such that replacement is necessary as a matter of public safety.

        Environmentally-friendly and low-maintenance materials and construction methods are to be used where possible.

        Materials and construction methods shall conform to the standard construction specifications and design criteria as maintained by the Kansas City Metropolitan Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

Section 2. That the City Manager is directed to report to the Council the proposed program prior to implementation.

Section 3. That the City Manager is directed to report to the Council annually on the progress of the program.

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