A. Compliance; Permit:
1. No person shall excavate, dig in, alter or change, or interfere with any street, avenue, alley, sidewalk, pavement or other public ground or the surface thereof, within the limits of the city, for any purpose whatsoever, unless the provisions of this chapter have been strictly complied with.
2. Such person shall first obtain a permit from the city clerk, with the approval of the street superintendent for such work to be done.
B. Bond: It is hereby further required of all persons, in the event of doing any work as described in this chapter, that they deposit with the city clerk a cash or surety bond conditioned that he shall replace any such street, avenue, alley, sidewalk, pavement or other public ground, or the surface thereof, in the same condition as the same was, prior to the time of the doing of any work as described in the preceding subsection. The amount of such cash deposit shall be fixed by the city manager for such sum as may be reasonably necessary to cover the cost of placing such street, avenue, alley, sidewalk or other public ground or the surface thereof, in the same condition as it was prior to the doing of such work.
C. Restoration:
1. When the provisions of this chapter have been complied with, such work may be proceeded with. All such excavations made, or trenches or ditches dug, shall, upon completion of such work, be filled up, firmly tamped and the surface on such streets, alleys or avenues placed in as durable, smooth and serviceable condition and in the same condition as it was before such work was done.
2. In the event that the surface of any paved street, avenue or alley shall have been disturbed by any such work, said pavement shall be replaced with like material and in all respects in the same condition in which it was before such work was done.
3. All such repairs shall be under the supervision of the street superintendent or city engineer. (1980 Code § 19-30)
D. Guards And Lights Required:
1. It is hereby made the duty of any person, during any excavation, to safely guard the public against any and all accidents liable to occur as a result of the same, by providing suitable and adequate railings and guard devices around any such excavation, ditches, or trenches. From sunset to sunrise, such person shall place a sufficient number of red lights on each side of such excavations, trenches, or ditches as is necessary to give adequate and suitable warning of danger. (1980 Code § 19-30; amd. 2002 Code)
2. All excavations upon the front or side of any lot adjoining the street, avenue or alley or under any sidewalk in the city shall be securely and properly guarded and protected by the person having charge of the same, so as to prevent the same being or becoming dangerous to life or limb. Failure to do so shall be an offense. (1980 Code § 19-5)
E. Supervision Of Work; Use Of Cash Deposit: All such work shall be done under the supervision of the street superintendent. Said cash bond as provided for in subsection B of this section, shall be returned, upon performance of the work as herein required in a reasonable time. The street superintendent shall utilize such portion of the cash deposit as may be necessary for the purpose of restoring said places to their former condition.
F. Bridge Across Work; Guarding And Lights:
1. Any person authorized to do any work described in this chapter must at the time of the excavation, and until the place is restored to its original condition, construct and maintain an appropriate bridge across said work for the passage of pedestrians or travel at all times. (1980 Code § 19-30)
2. At night, such persons shall place and maintain a red light on each side of said bridge to protect the public. Said bridge shall have banisters or guard rails, if any ditch is left open on either side.
G. Lights Along Excavation Parallel To Street: In all cases where the ditch or excavation runs parallel with the street either to the sidewalk in the street or a driveway, red lights shall be placed not less than twenty five feet (25') apart and along said ditch. Said lights shall be maintained from sunset until sunrise. (1980 Code § 19-30; amd. 2002 Code)