News : City offering $750 reimbursement for Sidewalks repaired, replaced or installed

The city of Vinton is offering residents a little bit of help to repair, replace or install sidewalks within the city limits.  Homeowners are eligible to be reimbursed $750 toward the project by filling out the application below.

Click to view or download Reimbursement Application

"In addition, Manatt's Concrete has shown its support for the Sidewalk and Trail program by providing special pricing for businesses and homeowners that take advantage of the sidewalk program. When ordering concrete the property owner needs to specify that the project falls under the cities reimbursement program to get the reduced rates," said Mayor Bud Maynard.

If you are interested in this project, the Sidewalk Ordinance for the city of Vinton is below.

CITY OF VINTON, IOWA

ORDINANCE NO. 1030

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE

CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA,

BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO SIDEWALK REGULATIONS

SECTION 1. SECTIONS MODIFIED. Chapter 136, the following sections, are modified and replaced with the following:

136.02 DEFINITIONS. For use in this chapter the following terms are defined:

1. “Broom finish” means a sidewalk finish that is made by sweeping the sidewalk when it is hardening.

2. “Established grade” means that grade established by the City for the particular area in which a sidewalk is to be constructed.

3. “One-course construction” means that the full thickness of the concrete is placed at one time, using the same mixture throughout.

4. “Owner” means the person owning the fee title to property abutting any sidewalk and includes any contract purchaser for purposes of notification required herein. For all other purposes, “owner” includes the lessee, if any.

5. “Portland cement” means any type of cement except bituminous cement.

6. “Sidewalk” means all permanent public walks in business, residential or suburban areas.

7. “Sidewalk improvements” means the construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement or removal, of a public sidewalk and/or the excavating, filling or depositing of material in the public right-of-way in connection therewith.

8. “Wood float finish” means a sidewalk finish that is made by smoothing the surface of the sidewalk with a wooden trowel.

136.03 REMOVAL OF SNOW, ICE AND ACCUMULATIONS. It is the responsibility of the abutting property owners to remove snow, ice and accumulations promptly from sidewalks, If a property owner does not remove snow, ice or accumulations within a reasonable time, the City may do so and assess the cost against the property owner for collection in the same manner as a property tax.

136.04 RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTENANCE. It is the responsibility of the abutting property owners to maintain a safe and hazard-free condition for any sidewalk outside the lot and property lines, the curb lines, or traveled portion of the public street.

136.05 CITY MAY ORDER REPAIRS. If the abutting property owner does not maintain sidewalks as required, the City Administrator may serve notice on the abutting property owner, by certified mail to the property owner as shown by the records of the County Auditor, requiring the abutting property owner to repair, replace or reconstruct sidewalks. If the abutting property does not perform an action required under this section within a reasonable time, the City may perform the required action and assess the cost against the abutting property for collection in the same manner as a property tax. This does not relieve the abutting property owner of liability under Section 135.03.

1. Installments. If any amount assessed against the property under this section will exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00), the City may permit the assessment to be paid in up to five installments, in the same manner as with the same interest rates provided as established under Iowa Code 384.84 including providing that a minimum of ten percent (10%) is paid with an installment agreement.

136.06 SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTTION ORDERED. The Council may order the construction of permanent sidewalks upon any street or court in the City and may specially assess the cost of such improvement to abutting property owners in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 384 of the Code of Iowa.

136.07 PERMIT REQUIRED. No person shall remove, reconstruct or install a sidewalk unless such person has obtained approval from the Street Superintendent and has agreed that said removal, reconstruction or installation will comply with all ordinances and requirements of the City for such work. Sidewalk plans and construction will be reviewed and approved by the Street Superintendent. Such fee may be waived if a preapproved contractor on file with the City is used. The fee for the permit will be twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

136.08 SIDEWALK STANDARDS. Sidewalks repaired, replaced or constructed under the provisions of this chapter shall be of the following construction and meet the following standards:

1. Cement. Portland cement shall be the only cement used in the construction and repair of sidewalks.

2. Construction. Sidewalks shall be of one-course construction

3. Sidewalk Base. Concrete may be placed directly on compact and well-drained soil. Where soil is not well drained, a three (3) inch sub-base of compact, clean, coarse gravel, sand, or cinders shall be laid. The adequacy of soil drainage is to be determined by the City.

4. Sidewalk Bed. The sidewalk bed shall be so graded that the constructed sidewalk will be at established grade.

5. Length, Width and Depth. Length, width and depth requirements are as follows:

A. Residential sidewalks will be at least five (5) feet wide and four (4) inches thick, and each section will be no more than five (5) feet in length.

B. Business District sidewalks will extend from the property line to the curb. Each section will be four (4) inches thick and no more than six (6) feet in length.

C. Driveway and alley areas will be not less than six (6) inches in thickness. Sidewalks will maintain grade and elevation through driveways and alleys. Sidewalks will be separated by driveway with a minimum of one-half (1/2) inch expansion material.

6. Location. Residential sidewalks shall be located with the inner edge (edge nearest the abutting private property) one foot from the property line, unless the Council establishes a different distance due to special circumstance.

7. Grade. Curb tops will be on level with the centerline of the street which will be the established grade.

8. Elevations. The street edge of a sidewalk will be at an elevation even with the curb at the curb or not less than one-half (1/2) inch above the curb for each foot between the curb and the sidewalk.

9. Slope. All sidewalks will slope one-quarter (1/4) inch per foot toward the curb.

10. Finish. All sidewalks will have a broom finish.

11. ADA complaint ramps. Ramps will be constructed per current Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards and match the abutting sidewalk dimensions. The raised ADA panel will be provided by the City and installed by the contractor. Contractors are to contact the City to be provided the current ADA regulations.

136.09 BARRICADES AND WARNING LIGHTS. Whenever any material of any kind is deposited on any street, avenue, passageway or alley when sidewalk improvements are being made or when any sidewalk is in a dangerous condition, it shall be the duty of all persons having and interest therein, either as the contractor or the owner, agent, or lessee of the property in front of or along which such material may be deposited, or such dangerous condition exists, to put in conspicuous places at each end of such sidewalk and the each end of any pile of material deposited in the street, a sufficient number of approved warning lights or flares, and to keep them lighted during the entire night and to erect sufficient barricades both at night and in the daytime to secure the same. The party or parties using the street for any of the purposes specified in this chapter will be liable for all injuries or damage to persons or property arising from any wrongful act or negligence of the party or parties, or their agents or employees or for any misuse of the privileges conferred by this chapter or of any failure to comply with provisions hereof.

136.10 FAILURE TO REPAIR OR BARRICADE. It is the duty of the owner of the property abutting the sidewalk, or the owner’s contractor or agent, to notify the City immediately in the event of failure or inability to make necessary sidewalk improvements or to install or erect necessary barricades as required by this chapter.

136.11 INTERFERENCE WITH SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS. No person shall knowingly or willfully drive any vehicle upon any portion of any sidewalk or approach thereto while in the process of being improved or upon any portion of any completed sidewalk or approach thereto, or will remove or destroy any part or all of any sidewalk or approach thereto, or will remove, destroy, mar or deface any sidewalk at any time or destroy, mar, remove or deface any notice provided by this chapter.

136.12 AWNINGS. It is unlawful for a person to construct or maintain any awning over any sidewalk unless it is in conformance with the Building Code. An exception to the Code may be permitted by the City Council for an awning supported from the exterior wall of the building and columns on foundations in the sidewalk. Such permit means the sidewalk must continue to be maintained for public use, and will not be constructed to mean that permission granted by the City Council is permanent. Such permit will require an indemnification and hold harmless agreement signed by the owner.

136.13 ENCROACHING STEPS. It is unlawful for a person to erect or maintain any stairs or steps to any building upon any part of any sidewalk without permission by resolution of the Council. Balconies over a sidewalk in the Business District may be permitted by resolution of the Council, provided that construction conforms with the Building Code and a hold harmless agreement is filed with the City.

136.14 OPENINGS AND ENCLOSURES. It is unlawful for a person to:

1. Stairs and Railings. Construct or build a stairway or passageway to any cellar of basement by occupying any part of the sidewalk, or to enclose any portion of a sidewalk with a railing without permission by resolution of the Council.

2. Openings. Keep open any cellar door, grating or cover to any vault on any sidewalk except while in actual use with adequate guards to protect the public.

3. Protect Openings. Neglect to properly protect or barricade all openings on or within six (6) feet of any sidewalk.

136.15 FIRES OR FUELS ON SIDEWALKS. It is unlawful for a person to make a fire of any kind on any sidewalk or to place or allow any fuel to remain upon any sidewalk.

136.16 DEFACING. It is unlawful for a person to scatter or place any permanent paste, paint or writing on any sidewalk.

136.17 DEBRIS ON SIDEWALKS. It is unlawful for a person to throw or deposit on any sidewalk any glass, nails, glass bottle, tacks, wire, cans, trash, garbage, rubbish, litter, offal, or any other debris, or substance likely to injure any person, animal or vehicle.

136.18 MERCHANDISE DISPLAY. It is unlawful for a person to throw or deposit on any sidewalk, any goods or merchandise for sale or for display in such a manner as to interfere with the free and uninterrupted passage of pedestrians on the sidewalk; in no case will more than three (3) feet of the sidewalk next to the building be occupied for such purposes.

136.19 SALES STANDS. It is unlawful for a person to erect or keep any vending machine or stand for the sale of fruit, vegetables or other substances or commodities on any sidewalk without first obtaining a written permit from the Council.

136.20 CITY OWNED TREES. Damage caused by City owned treed will be replaced at the City’s expense. Property owners will report such damage promptly to the City for repair. Inspection of the damage by the Street Superintendent will determine the need of repair.

136.21 SECTIONS FOR INSPECTION. The City will be divided into five (5) sections in the same manner as the autumn leaf pickup. Each section will be inspected on a five year rotation and notice will be given by the City for any defective sidewalk that is in need of repair. The Street Superintendent will perform the sidewalk inspections.

136.22 SIDEWALK REIMBURSEMENT. Sidewalks repaired, replaced, or installed as part of the ordinance will be reimbursed at a rate of seven hundred- fifty dollars ($750.00) per side upon approval of the City Council and Street Superintendent. If the property owner replaces 25% or more of a sidewalk, the entire side, 100%, must be removed, replaced, and installed to be eligible for the reimbursement.

SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. If any section, provision or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

SECTION 3. WHEN EFFECTIVE. This ordinance shall be in effect the first day of August, 2018 pending its final passage, approval and publication as provided by law.

Passed by the Council the 12th day of July, 2018, and approved this 12th day of July, 2018.

_______

Max (Bud) Maynard Jr. Mayor

Attest:

Cindy Michael City Clerk