Letter opposing the use of railway money for sidewalk repair for “Rising 15 Neighborhoods.”
Vice-Mayor Kearney and Councilmember Albi got together and proposed a “pilot program”using railway money to repair sidewalks in 7 “Rising 15” neighborhoods. I opposed this motion for several reasons outlined in a letter to the mayor and city council.
Under the municipal code, there is already a “sidewalk safety” program that establishes joint reponsibilites for the city and the property owners abutting a condemned sidewalk. The city repairs curbs and gutters and the property owner is responsible for the sidewalk repair.
The Vice-Mayor and Councilmember Albi wanted to use railroad money for those who were delinquent in reimbursing the city for repairs. In the end, the council approved the pilot program but did not approve using railroad money.
This was not the first attempt to use railroad money for the pet project of council members and unfortunately it will not be the last.
