Eastpointe, MI - Sidewalk repair program

Eastpointe eyes new proposal to simplify sidewalk repair

Published August 13, 2006
By Mitch Hotts Macomb Daily Staff Writer

A member of the Eastpointe City Council has offered a new proposal designed to simplify the city's controversial and costly sidewalk replacement program.
Councilman Ron Selvidge suggests charging all households an annual $25 fee to create a pool of money to pay for the sidewalk program, which has caused a financial hardship for numerous homeowners.
With 13,500 households in the south Macomb County community, the plan would raise $370,000 a year, not counting the business sector. Eastpointe currently spends at least $350,000 annually on fixing sidewalks with the costs passed on to property owners.
"We have so many people out of work and our seniors who just can't afford to pay to have their sidewalks fixed when the city is demanding it," Selvidge said. "Under this plan, everyone shares in the cost, which would become lower, and maybe make it easier on everyone."
Currently, homeowners who are notified by the city to replace cracked or pitted sidewalks have to pay $66 per slab. Many residents have complained to the council about bills they've received in excess of $1,000.
"If we put the fee on their water bills, people would have greater flexibility in paying it because you can spread the payments on water bills," Selivdge said.
Two weeks ago, the City Council temporarily suspended implementation of the sidewalk program due to complaints from residents.
Residents have said not only is the program costly, but there's a dispute over how it's implemented. City inspectors mark slabs that have cracks or surface deterioration, but also small pits that officials consider potential tripping hazards.
Residents say the pitting criteria is too subjective and don't believe the pits present a true hazard.
"If we remove just that one word, it would make the ordinance so much clearer," said resident Walt Jakubiec, a frequent critic of the current process.
While the program is suspended, the council ordered city administrators to review the ordinance with an eye on extending the payment time to six months and possibly altering the standards that inspectors use to decide whether the slabs need to be replaced.
"We have to be much more specific on what the inspectors are looking for," City Attorney Robert Hribar said.
Hribar said when the municipality is sued over a trip-and-fall case, judges often ask if the city has a sidewalk inspection in place. Absence of an inspection program, the judge often rules against the city, Hribar said.