Sidewalk

City of Panora Sidewalk Program

Sidewalks are an integral part of the transportation system for the City of Panora. Panora is a pedestrian-friendly community. Sidewalks provide a safe location for pedestrian traffic for all ages of citizens. School children utilize the sidewalks to travel to and from school. They allow walking and jogging while being safely separated from vehicular traffic. Without sidewalks the intermingling of foot traffic and vehicular traffic would greatly increase the chances for serious injuries to both the pedestrian as well as the motorist.

Pursuant to City Code Section 136.04 and Iowa Code Section 364.12(2), property owners are responsible for maintaining the public sidewalks abutting their property. Likewise, cities are responsible for inspecting these public ways to make sure property owners are fulfilling their responsibility and taking corrective action if sidewalks are not maintained. Phase 1 of the sidewalk program strives to improve the quality of sidewalks in the City of Panora. This program provides a means of reviewing the condition of existing sidewalks throughout the City. A rebate program has been developed for those that qualify that will pay up to half of your required repairs up to $1500.

Ongoing Program Guidelines

The sidewalk program addresses maintaining and monitoring all city sidewalks for future years. The maintenance and upkeep of all city sidewalks is vital for the safety and wellbeing of all residents. Also, the city would like to prevent residents from any unnecessary harm or injury caused by broken or non-maintained sidewalks. Pursuant to City Code 136.04, property owners are responsible for maintaining the public sidewalks abutting their property. Also pursuant to City Code 136.05, cities are responsible for inspecting these public ways tomake sure property owners are fulfilling their responsibility and taking corrective action if sidewalks are not properly maintained.

The Sidewalk Maintenance program will consist of dividing the city into eight sections. Each year, starting in April 2019, two sections will be inspected by staff using the sidewalk defect pictures. Sections will be inspected on a yearly rotating basis so that all sidewalks are reviewed every four years. The sidewalks determined by city employees to be in need of repair will be recorded. The abutting property owner will thereafter be sent notices, informing them of the need to repair the specified sidewalks within 60 days of the notice to repair. A homeowner will be required to obtain an excavation permit prior to making the repairs. Homeowners may request a meeting with Staff to go over the Notice to Repair. In addition, a Homeowner may also request a hearing before the City Council.

If residents fail to the complete the repairs within the time frame on the date of the mailing, then the repairs shall be completed by the City and the property owner shall bear the entire expense. An administrative fee of $25.00 will be applied to cover administrative and billing costs. The property owner will have 60 days to pay the billing. If the bill is not paid in full within 60 days, the amount will be certified to the County Treasurer to be added to the owner's property taxes.

Sidewalk Inspection Schedule
Section 1	Section 6	2027
Section 2	Section 7	2028
Section 3	Section 4	2025
Section 5	Section 8	2026