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Findings and Recommendations 19 findings
F01
The issue of maintaining residential sidewalks in County unincorporated areas is both complicated and confusing. Information as to homeowner responsibility for sidewalk maintenance (repair versus temporary fixes) is not readily available. (FA-03, FA-04, FA-05, FA-06, FA-07, FA-08, FA-09, FA-10, FA-11, FA-12, FA-13, FA-14, FA-15, FA-16, FA-17, FA-18, FA-19)
No recommendations for this finding
F02
A funded countywide sustainable sidewalk policy would benefit property owners in Supervisorial District 2 to a greater extent than other districts because 60% of sidewalks in need of repair are located in that district. (FA-04, FA-07, FA-08) 4 County Responsibility for Sidewalks
No recommendations for this finding
F03
Current sidewalk maintenance practice is not related to the actual condition of the sidewalks. Sidewalk repairs—both temporary and permanent—are completed only when the PWATD is performing scheduled street repair in an area. (FA-04, FA-16)
No recommendations for this finding
F04
Information on sidewalk repair and maintenance is not easily accessed on the County website. Website pages do not contain clear and complete information. Examples include: navigation to specific information is difficult; information about free grinding is not available; there is limited information as to when sidewalk repairs will be done in an area. (FA-13, FA-14, FA-15) Recommendations
No recommendations for this finding
F05
In February 2014, the BOS directed the PWATD to review its current sidewalk maintenance policy. [Ref-04]
No recommendations for this finding
F06
On October 28, 2014, the PWATD presented to the BOS the results of its survey of the policies of California counties related to the responsibility for sidewalk repair. Out of 58 counties, 20 responded. Of the 20 responding: Nine counties require property owners to maintain sidewalks. Eleven counties assume responsibility for maintaining sidewalks. The PWATD also stated that five counties that did not respond to the survey maintain sidewalks. [Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F07
According to the PWATD report of October 28, 2014, there are 150 miles of sidewalks in unincorporated areas of the County. Sixty percent of these sidewalks are located in Supervisorial District 2. The report also includes estimates of the cost for needed repair or replacement of all sidewalks in unincorporated areas at $2.6 million with annual maintenance costs at $200,000. [Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F08
On October 28, 2014, the District 2 Supervisor presented to the BOS a proposal for a countywide, sustainable Sidewalk Maintenance Program: “to Revise County Policy to Re-Establish Public Funding of Sidewalk Maintenance…in the Unincorporated County and Include Grinding as a Temporary Sidewalk Repair Method.” This motion was not approved. [Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F09
On October 28, 2014, a BOS motion “to include grinding as a temporary sidewalk repair method and perform the sidewalk repair while performing the street maintenance and not charge the property owner” was approved in a 3-2 vote. [Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F10
According to the PWATD, grinding has been used as a temporary solution to sidewalk damage; however, the only permanent (long-term) solution is replacement. [Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The PWATD has repaired or replaced sidewalks at approximately 800 locations since 2009. Property owners have been assessed for these repairs. Replacement of sidewalk slabs cost, on average, $320 if completed by the County. [Ref-02] County Responsibility for Sidewalks 3
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Property owners have the option to hire a private contractor to repair or replace their sidewalks at their expense. A “no-fee” encroachment permit from the PWATD is required. In general the cost to hire a private contractor is more expensive than the average $320 charged by the County. [Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Information about the October 28, 2014 BOS directive related to grinding sidewalks at County expense is not available on the PWATD website or phone message system. The fact that sidewalk maintenance is only performed in conjunction with road maintenance projects is also not available on the website. [Ref-06]
Related Recommendations (1)
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 current BOS directives and PWATD practices related to sidewalk maintenance in unincorporated areas. The Sidewalk and Street Tree Maintenance brochure should include information about grinding of raised sidewalk sections at County expense. (FI-01, FI-03, FI-04)
F14
The PWATD revised the brochure Sidewalk and Street Tree Maintenance on February 12, 2015. The revised brochure contains no information related to grinding sidewalks at County expense. [Ref-06] (Att-02)
Related Recommendations (1)
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 current BOS directives and PWATD practices related to sidewalk maintenance in unincorporated areas. The Sidewalk and Street Tree Maintenance brochure should include information about grinding of raised sidewalk sections at County expense. (FI-01, FI-03, FI-04)
F15
Information related to the PWA, accessed through the County of Ventura website, provides links to the Transportation Department pages that include the sidewalk brochure and information on current road maintenance projects, as well as priorities for these projects. [Ref-06]
No recommendations for this finding
F16
Property owners are notified in advance (within four to six months) when road maintenance will be conducted in their area. With regard to sidewalks, the notification letter says, “The enclosed photograph shows the sidewalk on your property has significant damage and needs to be repaired or replaced.” The letter gives information about replacement, cost, and homeowner responsibility for payment. (Att-03)
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Currently the PWATD has made a renewed effort to collect past-due amounts from property owners who have not paid their invoices for sidewalk replacement work done from December 2005 to January 2014. [Ref-06]
No recommendations for this finding
F18
On March 10, 2015, the PWATD presented to the BOS a report on its efforts to collect delinquent fees for sidewalk replacement. The BOS approved a motion giving property owners a 90-day extension to pay delinquent fees or face property liens. [Ref-05]
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The PWATD has no authority to grant exemptions to property owners for sidewalk maintenance costs. Findings
No recommendations for this finding
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
County of Ventura
Agency
Ventura County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office