Alderman Sam Shropshire - Representing Ward 7

Pending Legislation

Information about the new city sidewalk fee

It's unfortunate that we were all mailed bills for this new fee without any proper explanation. This has needlessly caused a lot of confusion. Alderwoman Hoyle and I are requesting a special City Council Work Session or public hearing to discuss the confusion caused by this billing.

Sidewalks, like streets, are public ways. It has long been accepted that the city government is responsible for the maintenance, repair and repaving of the streets. Now our sidewalks will receive the same attention.

Before the new sidewalk legislation (Ordinance O-12-07), property owners were responsible for maintaining, repairing and replacing sidewalks at their own cost. These costs can often run into the thousands of dollars.

Usually property owners were not familiar with their responsibility for the care of adjoining sidewalks and neglected to keep sidewalks in good repair, creating a liability for both the City and the property owner.

As the city has the capability to routinely perform construction work, legislation was enacted to shift the responsibility for sidewalk construction, maintenance, repair and replacement from the adjoining property owner to the city government. To generate the funds to pay for this new responsibility, a Sidewalk Fund was established by the Annapolis City Council.

For residential property, there is an annual fee of $25, much less than the cost a property owner would pay to repair their own sidewalk.

The Finance Committee will be examining this and other fees this coming summer. There are, indeed, some property owners that may have a legitimate claim that their property does not include sidewalks, although the intent of the legislation is to provide funds to repair sidewalks that we all walk on throughout the City. The City has the responsibility to provide safe walking conditions throughout the City.

Additionally, many in the public seem to be confused and in the dark about how and when this fee came about.

The first reader of the legislation that created the fee was in January 2007. The second reader was in March of 2007 and a public hearing concerning the legislation was held in April 2007.

The final vote was held in October of 2007. You may view the actual legislation by clicking here. You may view the minutes from the City Council meeting when the legislation was approved by clicking here.

The legislation passed 7 to 1. I voted in favor of the legislation along with Alderwomen Hoyle and Finlayson and Aldermen Cordle, Arnett, and Israel and Mayor Ellen Moyer. If you have any questions related to this new Sidewalk Fund fee please let me know. Also, if you know of sidewalks in your community adjacent to city streets that need repair please send me precise details. I'll come take a photo and submit the request to Public Works. If you know of streets in your community where sidewalks are needed send this request to me as well.

sam