What is the scope of the initial Program?
The replacement of both private and City-owned sidewalk slabs (whether they are the result of tree root disturbance or not) within the Southwest section of the City. This section encompasses the border by Greenfield and Coolidge to the west and east, respectively, and 11 Mile Road and Catalpa to the south and north, respectively. (See map below).
What does the initial Program constitute and consist of?
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 initial Program includes the replacement of the immediate concrete sidewalk slabs within the Southwest section of the City. If there are any major category (between ½” and 2” in vertical displacement) priorities adjacent to the immediate priorities, the scope will include addressing those at the same time. (See example of this defect in the photo 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 Southwest section 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 replacement. “Immediate” constitutes a sidewalk slab that exhibits at least 2" in vertical displacement. (See example of this defect in the photo below).
In addition, 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 ½” and 2" and/or an excessive amount of cracking and/or spalling (depressions or cavities in the surface caused by deterioration).
What is the City's budget for the 2020 Sidewalk Replacement Program?
The City has established a construction budget of $250,000 for this initial 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. 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 or engineering costs. A detailed itemized list of costs for your property will be mailed to you.
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.
In light of the financial hardship created by COVID-19, the City of Berkley will wait to roll the amount of residential sidewalk assessments onto the Summer 2021 tax bill, and it will be broken into two installments, giving property owners two years to pay it off. There will be no added fee or interest added to the sidewalk amount at that time.
For those with additional financial hardship, the City of Berkley has established a hardship review procedure allowing residents to pay the installments with a nominal interest charge in the third year. The terms and details of those installment payments will be determined at a later date and approved by City Council.
Does the city offer financing options for payment of sidewalk bills?
In light of the financial hardship created by COVID-19, the City of Berkley will wait to roll the amount of residential sidewalk assessments onto the Summer 2021 tax bill, and it will be broken into two installments, giving property owners two years to pay it off. There will be no added fee or interest added to the sidewalk amount at that time.
For those with additional financial hardship, the City of Berkley has established a hardship review procedure allowing residents to pay the installments with a nominal interest charge in the third year. The terms and details of those installment payments will be determined at a later date and approved by City Council.
Please contact our Finance Department at 248-658-3340.
What is the estimated schedule of the proposed Program?
Repairs to the Southwest section of the City will begin in mid-October 2020 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).
What is the procedure 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
How will the procedure for replacement of sidewalk be implemented for this project?
In an effort to offer property owners additional time to resolve the sidewalk issue(s) on their own, the City will implement the following procedure for the 2020 Sidewalk Replacement Program:
- By September 14, 2020 (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 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 in accordance with City Ordinance and specifications.
- Work must be completed by the of the 60-day grace period on October 12, 2020.
- After the 60-day period elapses (after October 12, 2020), if a property owner did not have their sidewalk slab(s) replaced, the City will automatically add the work to the 2020 Sidewalk Replacement Program and you will be billed according to the number of slabs replaced.
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, as well as, 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 had our contracted arborist come out to evaluate all of the right-of-way trees prior to the Program starting to make sure any trees in poor health were addressed prior to sidewalk construction. The City only removes public trees that have serious health concerns or pose a public safety threat.
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.
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 prior to 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
