Sidewalks, generally a secondary issue at City Council meetings, took center stage recently in Missouri City.

The repair and replacement of the popular pathways has been a recent topic of debate in some neighborhoods and to address those concerns, City staff presented a comprehensive policy to Councilmembers during their Jan. 4 meeting.

Director of Public Works Scott Elmer said that more of the footpaths will receive a makeover in the new year, thanks to an additional $200,000 in funding, bringing the annual total available for sidewalk repairs for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 to $350,000. The extra money will come from existing funding, and bids for the repairs are expected in May.

“We expect to have more competitive bids at that time,” Elmer said, adding that “by saving on construction costs, it will allow the City to increase the number of locations to be repaired and allow the contractor to focus solely on sidewalk repair, allowing a quicker response.”

Since July 2007, staff has responded to more than 300 sidewalk work-orders around the City, Elmer said. Prior to 2007, residents were liable for their own repairs. Citizen requests are prioritized first for the known need for the disabled, next for high pedestrian traffic near schools and shopping centers and then for normal neighborhoods where the City can cost effectively consolidate blocks of work.

Additionally, Elmer said that for those residents who are part of First Colony Community Association, the City and FCCA worked together to determine how to handle trees located between sidewalks and curbs that cause sidewalks to buckle and crack. Depending on each individual case, FCCA could allow a homeowner to remove a problem tree near the curb, to choose not to replace it or to replace it with another tree in the yard. In the case of replacement or mitigation, the City would pay for sidewalk repairs. These repairs would be added to the City’s overall priority list.

If homeowners have questions about sidewalk damage, they can send an e-mail to publicworks@missouricitytx.gov or call 281-403-8970.

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