What is the scope of the Phase 2 Program?
The replacement of both private sidewalk slabs (whether they are the result of tree root disturbance or not) and City-owned slabs within the East, Central, and South sections of the City. (See map below).
Why has my sidewalk been chosen for replacement?
At the request of the City, HRC conducted a walking sidewalk inspection survey and condition evaluation of the Central, East, and Southwest sections of the City and found one (1) or more existing concrete sidewalk slabs in front of your property to be a potential immediate safety concern which will require a replacement. “Immediate” constitutes a sidewalk slab that exhibits at least a 2" in vertical displacement. (See an example of this defect in the photo below).
Also, if there are any additional major priority slabs on a property that has immediate concerns, the Program will include those additional major slabs as well. “Major” constitutes a sidewalk slab that exhibits a vertical displacement between 1/2” and 2" and/or an excessive amount of cracking and/or spalling (depressions or cavities in the surface caused by deterioration).
How will I be billed/When is payment due?
Our Engineering firm HRC, will generate a master list of sidewalk replacements by parcel ID number after the work is completed.
Invoices for the cost of your sidewalk repairs will be mailed in December 2021. For those residents who do not wish to pay the sidewalk assessment in full, the City of Berkley will allow two installment payments which will be placed on the Summer 2022 and Summer 2023 tax bills. There will be a nominal $20.00 administrative fee added to each installment with no interest charged on those installments.
In the case of an added hardship, the City will consider a third installment with a nominal interest charge upon request as determined by City Council.
Does the city offer financing options for payment of sidewalk bills?
For those residents who do not wish to pay the sidewalk assessment in full, the City of Berkley will allow two installment payments which will be placed on the Summer 2022 and Summer 2023 tax bills. There will be a nominal $20.00 administrative fee added to each installment with no interest charged on those installments.
In the case of an added hardship, the City will consider a third installment with a nominal interest charge upon request as determined by City Council.
If you have any additional questions, contact our Finance Department at 248-658-3340.
What if I sell the house before the next tax payments, am I responsible for the sidewalk repair balance or the next homeowner?
The homeowner at the time of the construction will be responsible for the costs. If the house is sold before the balance being paid off, the remaining balance will be due at the time of sale.
Where can I park if I can't get into my driveway?
You may park on the street while your drive is inaccessible. You do not need to notify Public Safety. They are aware that driveways with barricades are inaccessible and you are permitted to park on the street overnight.
When will I gain access back to my driveway?
The newly places concrete will take approximately one week to cure.
Please do not drive on the concrete until the barrels have been removed by the City contractor.
What is the estimated schedule of the proposed Program?
Repairs to the East, Central, and Southwest section of the City will begin in mid-June 2021 and should be completed before the end of the year. This program will be taking a new approach where it will run in five-year cycles rather than carrying out replacements every 15 years as it had been done in the past.
The shorter cycle between replacements is to ensure sidewalks no longer reach a point where they are unsafe to use. (See map below)
How will the procedure for replacement of sidewalk be implemented for this project?
To offer property owners additional time to resolve the sidewalk issue(s) on their own, the City will continue to implement the following procedure for the 2021 Sidewalk Replacement Program:
- By May 7, 2021 (or 30 days after receipt of this letter), property owners must inform the City via email at sidewalks@berkleymich.net whether they plan to replace the sidewalk(s) themselves or if they prefer to be added to the City’s Program.
- A property owner who chooses to replace the sidewalk(s) own their own will need to obtain a permit from the City and must complete all work per City Ordinance and specifications.
- Work must be completed by the end of the 60-day grace period on June 7, 2021.
- After the 60-day period elapses (after June 7, 2021), if a property owner did not have their sidewalk slab(s) replaced, the City will automatically add the work to the 2021 Phase 2 Sidewalk Replacement Program and you will be billed according to the number of slabs replaced.
What is the procedure (ordinance) for replacement of sidewalk?
Under Article IV - Sidewalks, of the City's Code of Ordinances, the procedure for which property owners must follow when the City determines that a sidewalk poses a safety concern is presented.
As per the Ordinance, each property owner will be given the opportunity to resolve the sidewalk issue on their own or to be placed on a list that the City will utilize for bidding out the 2020 Sidewalk Replacement Program to local contractors in hopes of receiving price quotes in accordance with economies of scale.
To learn more, visit our City Code of Ordinance webpage here: https://library.municode.com/mi/berkley/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH106STSIOTPUPL_ARTIVSI
What does the Phase 2 Program constitute?
A City coordinated sidewalk replacement program has not been conducted in over 15 years and we plan to work to address the "worst first" or immediate concrete slabs.
This Phase 2 Program includes the replacement of the immediate concrete sidewalk slabs within this section. If there are any major category (between 1/2” and 2” in vertical displacement) priorities adjacent to the immediate priorities, the scope will include addressing those at the same time.
May I have private work done by the City contractor?
The contractor is responsible to the City to complete the required amount of work within a specific time and is penalized if they exceed the time allowed in the contract. However, if the contractor wants to take on additional work, they are free to do so as long as the contract with the City is completed before beginning any work out of the project scope.
Any additional work (driveways, approaches, patios, etc.) would be a private agreement between you and the contractor. The City will not become involved in disputes between you and the contractor regarding private work performed. As a courtesy, the City will include a separate division in the Bid Proposal for the contractor to bid the unit price, timing, restoration, and payment terms for all private work, as necessary.
Will the contractor restore my lawn after the work is completed?
Yes. Typically, approximately 1’ – 2’ of lawn adjacent to the replaced sidewalk needs to be restored. This strip will be filled with topsoil and seed and mulch, as necessary. Either the City-contracted contractor or the property owner-contracted contractor will be expected to accomplish this.
Will I need to get a permit if I do the work myself?
A sidewalk permit will be required for any homeowner or their contractor who wishes to have their sidewalk repaired outside of this program.
Who is responsible for replacement of sidewalk impacted by trees?
Property owners are responsible for sidewalk repairs even if a City-owned tree (within the public right-of-way) is impacting the walkway.
While we understand that this is an inconvenience, it is the balance we uphold within the community with the want to be a green (tree-friendly) city and being a walkable one.
Please note the City does not remove healthy trees and relies on the arborist for direction on health, trimming, and root grinding. We’ve had our contracted arborist come out to evaluate all of the right-of-way trees before the Program starting to make sure any trees in poor health were addressed before sidewalk construction.
The City ONLY removes public trees that have serious health concerns or pose a public safety threat. Residents interested in a new tree being planted in the right-of-way can refer to the Fall Tree Planting Program listed on the City website under berkleymich.org/falltreeprogram.
Will the driveway approach be replaced?
The scope of work does not include replacing the driveway approach. If your driveway crosses the sidewalk, the scope of work will only include the sidewalk through the driveway.
My sidewalk was damage because of the tree roots, can I have the tree removed so it doesn't happen again?
The City ONLY removes trees that have serious health concerns or pose a public safety threat. The City’s contracted arborist will evaluate all right-of-way trees before the Program starting to make sure any trees in poor health will be addressed before sidewalk construction.
Any trees not recommended for removal by the arborist will not be removed as part of this project. While we understand that this can be an inconvenience, it is the balance we uphold within the community with the want to be a green (tree-friendly) city and being a walkable one.
Will the contractor cutting back the tree roots damage the tree? And if so, will I have to pay for removal?
The roots will be trimmed to allow for a flat surface and should not impact the stability of the tree. The City’s arborist have evaluated the trees as part of the program and made recommendations to ensure that all trees remain healthy and stable throughout construction.
Who will be responsible for any damage to sewer manhole and water curb boxes?
The contractor (either City-contracted or property owner-contracted) shall assume full responsibility for any damage to sewer manhole or curb boxes. When adjustment is necessary, the proper Utility Department shall be notified to make said adjustments.
Will pavers or other structures in the park way be reset when work is completed?
Brick pavers, fencing, and planters in the parkway may be removed during sidewalk construction and will be reset back to the original location when sidewalk construction is completed.
Will the contractor restore my lawn after the work is completed?
Yes. Typically, approximately 1’ – 2’ of lawn adjacent to the replaced sidewalk needs to be restored. This strip will be filled with topsoil and seed and mulch, as necessary. Either the City-contracted contractor or the property owner-contracted contractor will be expected to accomplish this.
Will the driveway approach be replaced?
The scope of work does not include replacing the driveway approach. If your driveway crosses the sidewalk, the scope of work will only include the sidewalk through the driveway.
What is the City's budget for the 2021 Sidewalk Replacement Program?
The City has established an approximate construction budget of $510,000 for this Phase 2 project and will therefore proceed based on a “worst first” approach, and as funds allow. Engineering costs are not included in this budget and will be paid separately by the City. A qualified contractor will be hired through the competitive bid process to obtain the lowest price.
As a reminder, property owners are responsible for 100% of the repair costs for the replacement of sidewalk slabs abutting their property and will be billed by the City after the work is completed.
The price the property owner will pay is the exact cost the City pays to the contractor, with no added fees or administrative costs. A detailed itemized list of costs for your property will be mailed to you.
Will pavers or other structures in the park way be reset when work is completed?
Brick pavers, fencing, and planters in the parkway may be removed during sidewalk construction and will be reset back to the original location when sidewalk construction is completed
What do I do to avoid damage to my sprinkler?
Please mark any sprinkler heads adjacent to the sidewalk with a slab or with paint. Automatic sprinklers should be shut off during the construction and may be turned on the day after the concrete is poured.
What will happen if the new sidewalks become damaged?
Barricades will be placed to protect the newly poured sidewalks. The City will not be responsible for any sidewalk slabs driven over or walked on before the contractor has removed the barricades.
I have upcoming utility work scheduled that may affect my sidewalk, and I don't want to have to pay for it twice, can you delay until XX/XX date?
Residents should notify the City if there are any ongoing projects on their property that may affect the marked slabs.
The City will work with the Contractor to attempt to schedule your property after any other projects have finished, provided that it will not delay the completion date of the rest of the sidewalk program.
If you are certain that the slabs marked by the City will be removed and replaced under a separate construction project at your residence, you can also choose to opt-out of the City program instead.
Is there any warranty for the work?
Yes, new sidewalk construction has a warranty of one year from the date of installation. The warranty shall cover any significant deterioration of the sidewalk.
