Title
Resolution Creating a Resident-Driven Sidewalk Gap-Filling Program and Appropriate $150,000.00 from the General Fund, Fund Balance (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
While Ann Arbor is an inherently walkable city, our sidewalk network has substantial gaps. Engineering estimates a total of 149 missing miles with an estimated installation cost of $150 to $220 million. The City currently installs approximately 1.25-2.75 miles of new sidewalk annually through capital projects, as well as a smaller number through private development projects. This level of funding and construction activity does not reflect or represent a strong Council interest to address sidewalk gaps on a community-wide basis.
Sidewalk gap prioritization is currently performed by City staff using a multi-criterion values matrix. While this approach ensures consistency in establishing the priority of work, it only includes resident identified and driven initiatives to address neighborhood connectivity as one, among many, criterion. This resolution serves to complement the current approach by adding a resident driven-process.
The primary source for funding new sidewalk installations is the levying of special assessments to property owners who benefit from the public improvement. Per Chapter 12, Sections 1:274-5 of the City code, the cost for sidewalk improvements is funded by the benefitting property owners through special assessment. Staff also uses the availability of grant funding to reduce the financial burden on property owners, when such opportunities exist. Current City code provides Council with the option of adjusting the assessment by determining that there is a "community benefit," mitigating the impact on individual property owners.
This resolution seeks to address the above obstacles through a Resident-Driven Sidewalk Gap-Filling initiative.
Budget and Fiscal Impact: This resolution required a budget amendment to add $150,000 from the City's General Fund to the FY20 Public Se...
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