(A) Definition. For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CURRENT SERVICE. One or more of the following: snow, ice or rubbish removal from sidewalks; weed elimination from street grass plots adjacent to sidewalks or from private property; removal or elimination of public health or safety hazards from private property, excluding any hazardous building included in M.S. §§ 463.15 through 463.26 as they may amended from time to time; installation or repair of water service lines; street sprinkling, street flushing, light street oiling or other dust treatment of streets; repair of sidewalks and alleys; trimming and care of trees and removal of unsound and insect-infected trees from the public streets or private property; and the operation of a street lighting system.
(B) Snow, ice, dirt and rubbish.
(1) Duty of owners and occupants. The owner and the occupant of any property adjacent to a public sidewalk shall use diligence to keep the walk safe for pedestrians. No owner or occupant shall allow snow, ice, dirt or rubbish to remain on the walk longer than 24 hours after its deposit thereon. Failure to comply with this section shall constitute a violation.
(2) Removal by city. The Deputy Clerk or other person designated by the City Council may cause removal from all public sidewalks all snow, ice, dirt and rubbish as soon as possible beginning 24 hours after any matter has been deposited thereon or after the snow has ceased to fall. The Deputy Clerk or other designated person shall keep a record showing the cost of removal adjacent to each separate lot and parcel.
(C) Public health and safety hazards. When the city removes or eliminates public health or safety hazards from private property under the following provisions of this chapter, the administrative officer responsible for doing the work shall keep a record of the cost of the removal or elimination against each parcel of property affected and annually deliver that information to the Deputy Clerk.
(D) Installation and repair of water service lines. Whenever the city installs or repairs water service lines serving private property, the Deputy Clerk shall keep a record of the total cost of the installation or repair against the property.
(E) Repair of sidewalks.
(1) Duty of owner. The owner of any property within the city abutting a public sidewalk shall keep the sidewalk in repair and safe for pedestrians. Repairs shall be made in accordance with the standard specifications approved by the City Council and on file in the office of the Deputy Clerk.
(2) Inspections; notice. The City Council or its designee shall make inspections and/or review requests by homeowners as are necessary to determine that public sidewalks within the city are kept in repair and safe for pedestrians or vehicles. If it is found that any sidewalk abutting on private property is unsafe and in need of repairs, the City Council or its designee shall cause a notice to be served, by registered or certified mail or by personal service, upon the record owner of the property, ordering the owner to have the sidewalk repaired and made safe within 60 days, and stating that if the owner fails to do so, the city will make the repairs or replacement and bill the cost to the owner(s). If the owner fails to pay the cost of the repair or replacement to the city within 30 days of billing, the city may make the cost a special assessment against the abutting property.
(3) Repair by city. If the sidewalk is not repaired within 60 days after receipt of the notice, the Deputy Clerk shall report the facts to the City Council and the City Council shall by resolution order the work done by contract in accordance with law. The Deputy Clerk shall keep a record of the total cost of the repair attributable to each lot or parcel of property.
(4) Cost-share by city. After marking the panels deemed necessary for replacement, the City Council or its designee will inform the property owner as to which panels may qualify for the financial assistance through the Capital Improvement Plan. As a result of the inspection and approval by the City Council or its designee, the city may agree to pay up to 25% of the cost of repair or replacement of the identified damaged panels. The city will also be responsible for 100% of the cost of handicap access ramps if deemed necessary, or as requested. The city will continue this policy only to the extent funds are available and budgeted within the Capital Improvement Plan, which may vary from year to year. If sufficient funds are not available through the Capital Improvement Plan at the time of the repair or replacement, property owners may request reimbursement up to one year after the project is completed. The request for reimbursement requires an inspection prior to the repair or replacement by the owner(s), to allow the City Council or its designee to confirm and mark the qualifying panels. The city does not warrant funds will be available in any particular year.
(F) Personal liability. The owner(s) of the property on which, or adjacent to which, a current service has been performed, shall be personally (if more than one, jointly and severally) liable for the cost of the service. However, if funds are available, the city may, at the request of the owner(s), allow one-half (50%) of the cost to be assessed against the property for up to five years, at an interest rate set by the Council. The owner(s) must waive any objection to the assessment in writing. The remaining amount of the estimated cost of the service must be paid to the city before the start of the project. The owner(s) may make their own arrangements with the contractor for the project for additional replacement or work, provided it meets city specifications. The city will not be responsible to pay for, supervise, or be liable for defects of any such additional work. As soon as the project or service has been completed, and final cost determined, the Deputy Clerk shall prepare a bill for any costs exceeding the estimated amount and mail it to the owner(s), and prepare the special assessment for certification to the Winona County Auditor for collection.
(G) Damage to public property.
(1) Any person driving any vehicle, equipment, object or contrivance upon any street, road, highway or structure shall be liable for all damages which the surface or structure thereof may sustain as a result of any illegal operation, or driving or moving of the vehicle, equipment or object or contrivance; or as a result of operating, driving or moving any vehicle, equipment, object or contrivance weighing in excess of the maximum weight permitted by statute or this code.
(2) When the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, equipment, object or contrivance, but is operating, driving or moving it with the express or implied permission of the owner, then the owner and the driver shall be jointly and severally liable for any like damage.
(3) Any person who willfully acts or fails to exercise due care and by that act damages any public property shall be liable for the amount thereof, which amount shall be collectable by action or as a lien under M.S. § 514.67, as it may be amended from time to time.
(H) Assessment.
(1) On or before October 31 of each year, the Deputy Clerk shall list the total unpaid charges for each type of current service and charges under this section against each separate lot or parcel to which they are attributable under this section.
(2) The City Council may then spread the charges against property benefitted as a special assessment under the authority of M.S. § 429.101 as it may be amended from time to time and other pertinent statutes for certification to the County Auditor and collection along with current taxes the following year or in annual installments, not exceeding 10, as the City Council may determine in each case.
(Am. Ord. 528, passed 7-14-2009)
Penalty, see § 10.99