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Sidewalk repair was temporarily kicked to the curb after the lone bid to fix pedestrian walkways was rejected after it came in at more than twice the cost the city had estimated.
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Council: Bid almost double for
sidewalk repair/replacement project
December 30, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Sidewalk repair was temporarily kicked to the curb after the lone bid to fix pedestrian walkways was rejected after it came in at more than twice the cost the city had estimated.
Interim Public Works Director Brian Yanez told the City Council at the December 21 meeting that sidewalk repair bids were as high as $2.2 million, more than twice the city’s budget of $900,000.
“I want to share the magnitude of this project,” work that Yanez said has been delayed for years.
“Multiple areas” of the city require repair and even replacement of sidewalks including upgrading intersections with ADA crossing elements.
Yanez said the only solution is to prioritize work based on need for immediate repair using the $900,000 available and to plan on putting aside funds each year to cover the balance of the repairs.
City Councilwoman Ginger Gherardi, who asked that the cancellation of the bid be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion, said there is funding for such projects that the city must try to acquire.
“Money has been left on the table,” in the past for such projects that Gherardi said could be available through grants such as for pedestrian and bicycle projects.
Gherardi said she would like a “prioritized list, not an alphabetical listing,” of sidewalks most needing repair as well as the city to apply for grants that could supplement city funds.
“Ventura County Transportation Commission last year had $1 million left on the table, nobody claimed it,” and Gherardi said she wanted Santa Paula to actively pursue such opportunities.
