The cost of installation, maintenance and repair of sidewalks within the city shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner. The installation, maintenance and repair may be undertaken by the property owner, privately or through privately-retained contractors, provided the installation, maintenance and repair is in strict conformity with the specifications adopted by the City Council, and during the course of the installation, maintenance and repair, the Street Superintendent or his or her designee inspects and supervises the installation to ensure conformity with the specifications. The City Council shall have the authority to install sidewalks and to assess the costs as to the benefitted property owner in the mode and manner provided by M.S. Chapter 429, as amended from time to time. The City Council shall have the authority to expend city funds towards the installation, maintenance and repair of sidewalks in circumstances as the City Council determine fairness and justice requires in the sole and exclusive discretion of the City Council. Any costs associated with the implementation of a trunk sidewalk within the city which is in excess of the normal and customary costs of the installation of sidewalks within the city are an appropriate expenditure of city funds.
(Ord. 231, passed 8-16-2000)