Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/08/2007

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commercial and industrial developments to the ordinance in the future and it would be good to .include all changes in the revision. Commissioner Olds stated one thing he noticed is it says in the ordinance in reference to cul-de- sacs "Sidewalks maybe required in cul-de-sacs", if it is a short one, it may not be required but in longer ones, it may need review to see if it would be required. Parks/LJtilities Supervisor Riverblood stated this ordinance was enacted to show how important it was to connect neighborhoods especially on busy roads. Chairperson Johns wondered who maintains the sidewalk. She wondered if it was the homeowners as well as the businesses responsibility. Parks/tJtilities Supervisor Riverblood stated they did purchase a sidewalk snow removal machine, which they have started to implement. They make one pass on the sidewalk and then it is the homeowner's responsibility to get the rest of the snow off the sidewalk and onto the street for the City to take care of. Chairperson Johns asked if the machine was five feet iri width and would that be adequate. Parks/LJtilities Supervisor Riverblood stated sidewalk standards are ten feet and need to be maintained by the homeowner but the machine will clear five feet. Chairperson Johns noted this ordinance is geared toward residential and not commercial. Commissioner Olds wondered if this should be addressed to say if there is a sidewalk in front of a residence, it needs to be maintained~by the homeowner. Park/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood stated they do not have a way to require this and this ordinance is working the way it is worded. Commissioner Shryock wondered whose responsibility it was if a section of sidewalk was not cleared and someone was injured, who would. be liable. She thought if they start producing more sidewalks, this may become an issue and she thought they may need to become clearer in the wording and understanding. Parks/LJtilities Supervisor Riverblood thought everyone understood that it was safer to have people on sidewalks rather than on the roadway. He did not know what the liability of the public would bewith sidewalks. Commissioner LaMere thought at this time they did not have a lot places that connect but down the.road they may need to review this for better clarification when they have more connections with sidewalks. Commissioner Shryock stated she would be in favor of adding commercial and industrial to this. This would encourage walking in the City. Park and Recreation Commission/January 11, 2007 Page 4 of 5