BOS and Public Works*

R01

The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct the PWA to revise its website to be more complete and easily accessible, especially with regard to the current BOS directive and PWATD practices related to sidewalk maintenance in unincorporated area. The Sidewalk and Street Tree Maintenance brochure should include information about grinding of raised sidewalk sections at County expense. Response: Will Be Implemented. As of August 4, 2015 temporary sidewalk repairs will not be performed at the County's expense. Standards, FAQ's and Citizen Brochures are routinely reviewed and updated as necessary, and will be done in light of this new direction. PWATD staff will also review the website and ensure the information is easily accessible. This analysis and any required updates will be completed

R02

The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct the PWA to regularly assess the condition of all sidewalks in unincorporated areas, develop a repair/replacement plan, and oversee the completion of all needed work independent of street repair projects. The Grand Jury takes no position on funding for the repair. Response: Will not be implemented. The County's approach to sidewalk repair is cost-effective and driven by the applicable law. Foremost, property owners bear the legal obligation to maintain and repair adjoining sidewalks and are jointly liable for injuries caused by sidewalk defects. (Streets & Highways Code, § 5610; Ventura County Ordinance Code, §§ 12702, 12703.) As courts have noted, property owners are in the best position to quickly identify and address sidewalk problems. (E.g., Gonzales v. City of San Jose (2004) 125 Cal.App.4th 1127, 1139.) Thus, the County relies on property owners to live up to their statutory obligations in keeping sidewalks safe. In addition, the County will respond to complaints about sidewalks, including inspecting the sidewalk for any needed repairs. Also, the County regularly assesses the condition of sidewalks in the area of projects as part of its normal road resurfacing work. Whenever these processes reveal that a sidewalk is in need of repair, the County notifies the property owner and demands repair, as authorized by Response to Grand Jury Report Form Report Title: County Responsibility for Sidewalks Report Date: June 1, 2015 the Streets and Highways Code and County ordinance. If a property owner is unable or unwilling to make the repair, the County will repair the sidewalk and seek the statutorily required payment from the property owner. While no program is 100 percent effective, the County's program best matches resources with the need for occasional repairs. . ...