Sidewalk repair will be continuing as it normally does in Hope, but the policy outlining the work will be changing.
District staff presented the policy change to council at the May 25 meeting, and explained that the change would bring the municipality into compliance.
Prior to the change, the Sidewalk Inspection Policy stated that the District would inspect all sidewalks twice a year. But that work hasn’t been getting done, and staff said it would be redundant. It would also cost the district more, needlessly.
So instead of bumping up the inspections to fit the policy, they changed the policy to fit current practice. The district has the sidewalks inspected for repairs needed every spring, after the ground thaws. That’s when most of the defects happen, and are addressed throughout the year, staff said. They also address issues as they pop up throughout year, for example, if there is a car accident that damages a sidewalk surface.
But the policy also previously stated that there would be a second inspection in the fall. That hasn’t been happening for some time, staff said.
Without the policy change, the district could be held liable for damages. Council voted unanimously for the change.
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