14c Staff Report - 50/50 Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Maintenance Program
DATE: TO: FROM: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DECEMBER 1, 2004 DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER MEETING DATE: 12/6/04 ITEM NO. ILlLSUBJECT: 50/50 SIDEWALK,
CURB, AND GUTTER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM ACCEPTREPORTANDPROVIDEDIRECTIONONTHE 50/50 SIDEWALK CURB, AND GUTTER REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION: Accept report and provide direction
on the 50/50 Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Removal and . Replacement Program. BACKGROUND: The California Streets and Highway Code requires adjoining property owners to maintain public sidewalks,
curbs, and parkways along their property frontage in a safe condition. Local agencies may choose to refer to the State Code or impose their own regulation, which may involve full or
partial . funding of sidewalk repair by the agency. The Town of Los Gatos undertook a 50/50 concrete replacement program in 1996 which was not continued in subsequent years. The Town
ofLos Gatos has historicallybeen performing all repair and replacement ofconcrete curb, gutter, and sidewalk at no cost to the property owners as a part of an annual project. This work
has . been necessitated due to the damage of curb, gutter, and sidewalks caused by tree roots which is a problem town wide. Town crews performed these repairs with in-house resources
up to about ten years ago. However, as staffreductions took place over the past few years, the ability to do the repair and replacement of damaged concrete has been eliminated and all
such work is contracted out depending on budget allocations. Over the past three years, the Town has spent over $1 million on this program. Because of the efforts of the Town to reduce
"trips and falls" by replacing deficient sidewalks, the liability costs have been reduced in these recent years. For example in FY 99-01 the Town paid nearly $145,000 for trip and fall
accidents and claims. However, for the next 3 years, FY 01-04, the claims paid were reduced to $63,000 which is a reflection ofproactive work by the Town to replace damaged concrete
sections Town wide. 10 £. PREPAREDBY: CfOHNE. CURTIS Director ofParks and Public Works Reviewed by: Q6\;> Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Clerk Administrator ___Finance__Community
Development Revised: 12/2/04 1:44 pm Reformatted: 5/30102 N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\50-50.sidewalkprogram.wpd
PAGE 2 SUBJECT: 50/50 SIDEWALK, CURB, AND GUTTER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM DECEMBER 1, 2004 Curb, gutter, and sidewalks that are uplifted due to tree roots
are inspected and evaluated by Town staff. For cases in which the uplifted concrete sections are less than W', we grind down the concrete to eliminate the tripping hazard bymatching
both sections ofconcrete evenly. Ifthe uplifted sections is more than 1" we will remove and replace the damaged concrete sections. This remedy can last for a few years depending on the
growth rate oftree roots. A list ofsites which have such problems are kept, and each year as a part ofthe concrete replacement project, we try to replace the most severe cases ofuplifted
concrete. The scope of the project is based on the allocated funding. The concept ofcost sharing for sidewalk, curb, and gutter replacement was discussed with Council during the FY 04/05
Capital Improvement Program budget process and direction was given to staff to pursue this issue and to bring back a recommendation for Council consideration. DISCUSSION: The cost for
concrete repairs are generally based on unit costs of $10 per square foot for new sidewalk and $50 per linear foot for new curb and gutter. For example, for a typical lot with a 60 foot
frontage, the cost to replace the entire curb, gutter, and sidewalks will be about $6,000. However, , , in most cases, only a small section of concrete has to be replaced due to tree
root damage and not the entire frontage. For a typical localized repair, our estimated cost to replace curb, gutter, and sidewalk is $1,000, and this naturally will vary with the number
ofpanels to be replaced. The damage caused bytree roots and overall age ofthe concrete facilities presents a challenge to the Townwith reduced resources both in staffing and funding
allocations. This issue is not unique to Los Gatos and almost all other municipalities have developed programs to share the concrete repair and replacement costs with the property owners.
Some agencies have required the propertyownerto pick up 100% of the cost in accordance with the Streets and Highway Code. The following table lists some of the agencies and their concrete
replacement program: CONCRETE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM BY OTHER AGENCIES AGENCY NAME PROGRAM ARRANGEMENT Belmont Property Owner Pays 100% of Cost Foster City Property Owner Pays 100% of Cost
San Jose Property Owner Pays 100% of Cost Gilroy 50/50 Cost Share Between the City and Property Owner Mountain View 50/50 Cost Share Between the City and Property Owner Fremont 50/50
Cost Share Between the City and Property Owner Morgan Hill 50/50 Cost Share Between the City and Property Owner Redwood City 50/50 Cost Share Between the City and Property Owner Saratoga
City Pays 100% of Cost Campbell City Pays 100% of Cost
PAGE 3 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: 50/50 SIDEWALK, CURB, AND GUTTER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM DECEMBER 1, 2004 The Town can choose one of the following options in addressing the concrete
replacement issue: 1-Continue to pay for all concrete replacement at no cost to the property owners, 2-Implement a cost sharing program or 3-Pursue securing General Obligation Bonds
or other voter approved tax supported financing for funding such repair programs. Considering the alternatives, staff recommends that Council consider implementation ofa 50/50 cost share
program, whereby residents would pay for 50% of the cost to repair the sidewalk, curb, and gutter fronting their property, and the Town would pay 50% instead ofthe Town providing full
funding for this project. While program details would be broughtforward if Council so directs, the general approach for the program would be for the Town staff to inspect sidewalks and
inform property owners on areas where replacement is needed. The Town would then perform the repairs and replacement by our contractor and send an invoice for half the cost to the property
owner. CONCLUSION: Staffrecommends that the Town pursue a 50/50 Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Replacement Program. With Council direction to pursue this concept, staff would develop a program
to bring back for Council consideration by early 2005. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This is a project as defined lmder CEQA but is Categorically Exempt (Section 15301). A notice of Exemption
will not be filed. FISCAL IMPACT: The Town's portion of the 50/50 cost sharing will be paid out of the annual budget for concrete sidewalk, curb, and gutter replacement program.