Knowledge Base

The director of public works or designee shall make such inspections as are necessary to determine that public sidewalks within the city are kept in repair and safe for pedestrians. If the director of public works or designee finds that any sidewalk abutting private property is unsafe and in need of repairs, the director of public works or designee shall physically mark the portion of sidewalk that needs repair.

( Ord. No. 4487 , § 1, 1-9-2023)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 4487 , § 1, adopted Jan. 9, 2023, repealed the former § 9-6-4, and enacted a new § 9-6-4 as set out herein. The former section pertained to owner to repair sidewalks and derived from Code 1965.

The owners of any property within the city abutting a public sidewalk shall keep the sidewalk safe for pedestrians by maintaining sidewalk hazard markings placed by the city until repairs are made under the sidewalk improvement district (section 9-6.1). Owners may elect to repair or replace sidewalk at owner expense using a licensed contractor with a permit (section 9-5). Repairs shall be made in accordance with the standard specifications approved by the council and on file in the office of the city clerk.

( Ord. No. 4487 , § 2, 1-9-2023)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 4487 , § 2, adopted Jan. 9, 2023, repealed the former § 9-6-4, and enacted a new § 9-6-5 as set out herein. The former section pertained to inspections by director of public works and derived from Code 1965; Ord. No. 3871, adopted June 2, 2008; Ord. No. 4388 , adopted Sep. 16, 2019.

The director of public works or designee shall repair the sidewalk and make it safe for pedestrians or order the work done by contract in accordance with law. When repairs are performed on behalf of the city or under contract with the city on approved plans and specifications, but outside the sidewalk improvement district program, the repairs will occur according to the provisions in sections 9-6-7 and 9-6-8. Repairs performed under the sidewalk improvement district program will follow the provisions in chapter 9-6.1.

(Code 1965, § 72.06; Ord. No. 3871, 6-2-2008; Ord. No. 4388 , § 12, 9-16-2019; Ord. No. 4487 , § 3, 1-9-2023)

The owner of property on which or adjacent to which a current service has been performed shall be personally liable for the greater of the actual cost of such service or such other service charge that the council may approve from time to time by resolution. As soon as the service has been completed and the cost determined by the city clerk with the assistance of appropriate city staff, a bill shall be prepared and mailed to the owner and thereupon the amount shall be immediately due and payable at the office of the city clerk.

(Code 1965, § 72.10; Ord. No. 3952, 1-20-2010)

From time to time, the city clerk shall list the total unpaid charges for each type of current service against each separate lot or parcel to which they are attributable under this chapter. The council may then spread the charges against property benefited as a special assessment under Minn. Stats. § 429.101 or certify unpaid charges to the county auditor for collection with the following year along with current taxes as otherwise provided for by state law or the Charter. When unpaid charges are certified to the auditor for collection with taxes, the council may use the notice, hearing and appeal provisions provided by Minn. Stats. ch. 429. In any appeal of unpaid charges certified to the auditor for collection with taxes, the sole issue to be determined by the court is the reasonableness of the charges.

(Code 1965, § 72.11; Ord. No. 3995, 11-15-2010)