Overview

The City of Hutchinson promotes the installation and use of sidewalks, trails and paths within the City as part of an effort to be a “Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly” Community. It is the intention of this effort to make it possible and safe for people who would like the option of walking or biking, either for transportation or recreational purposes, to be able to travel safely throughout the City and access schools, recreational facilities, businesses and other points of interest.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly City Initiative

A Light Traffic Plan outlining routes and options for accessing different potential traffic generators within the City was developed in conjunction with a Minnesota Department of Transportation grant that involved the Finnish Road Administration (FinnRA), SK Consulting of Finland, and SRF Consulting of Minneapolis. The focus of the initiative was on 1) Funding, 2) Technology Transfer, 3) Planning and Project Development, 4) Detail Design, and 5) Traffic Safety, Education and Enforcement.

The City provides bicycle safety training to the Hutchinson Public Schools, holds an annual “Bike and Blade Bonanza” which promotes safety through training and bike maintenance and has given away thousands of helmets in the last 10 years, has a Police Bicycle Patrol and supports the development of private and public sidewalks and trails.

Construction, Repair and Maintenance Policies

According to the City Code, Chapter 7, it is the adjacent property owner’s responsibility to construct, maintain and repair sidewalks adjacent to their properties. The City of Hutchinson has developed this policy in an effort toward consistent quality, and to provide for periodic review and maintenance of the City’s sidewalk network. Under this policy, the City provides services, at its discretion, that may exceed those required by the City Code. This policy and any related action by the City Council or staff are not intended to reduce the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. The City reserves the right to enforce the requirements of the City Code. The City also reserves the right to deviate from this policy at any time and for any reason determined to be in the best interest of the City.

Throughout this document, the term ‘sidewalk’ includes sidewalks, trails, walkways and related appurtenances.

Priority Criteria: The City will make provisions for sidewalks on or adjacent to public roadways and in public rights-of-way in a systematic manner. Priority is given to routes meeting the following criteria:

1. Routes connecting to the Luce Line Trail and major destinations (for example; major employers, downtown business district, business centers, schools, recreational facilities, and other commonly used public facilities)
2. Major commercial areas where foot traffic is essential.
3. Along major roadways with traffic volumes exceeding 1,000 vehicles per day.
4. Other areas indicated by the City.

Periodic, on-going inspections: Inspections of sidewalk conditions are conducted in order to identify and initiate repair and maintenance projects. Inspections can be initiated upon receipt of information from outside sources or be scheduled inspections using City staff. The general policy for prioritizing repair and maintenance projects is as follows:

1. Vertical deflections of over ¾” identified during inspections have the highest priority for repairs. Insofar as is practical, considering budget and time constraints, the City shall have these identified locations repaired during the next repair project.
2. Vertical deflections between ½” and ¾” identified during periodic inspections are reviewed for inclusion in future repair projects. Locations with these vertical deflections that are not included in the next repair project will be considered for future projects and/or be included in the interim repair procedure.
3. Vertical deflections of less than ½” will not generally be included in inspection reports unless the inspector determines that the location has a high potential for exceeding these criteria in the near future.
4. Horizontal deflections, pitting and cracking will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.
5. Interim repair procedures, such as grinding, bituminous patching, etc., may be utilized in any situation to improve the safety of the sidewalk before being repaired. These interim repairs are prioritized based on Section I criteria and available resources, including staff time, technical ability, funding, etc.

Sidewalk Removal: Sidewalks in disrepair that do not connect to other significant sidewalks, and are not on routes identified by the City may be removed and the right-of-way restored to turf.

Installation/Significant Repair Cost: The costs of sidewalk installations and significant repairs within rights-of-way will generally be assigned in the following manner:

1. The new construction of sidewalks on routes identified and approved by the City and listed in the Capital Improvement Plan will generally be completed at the City’s cost, although the City reserves the right to have the costs assessed to adjacent property owners.
2. The entire cost of sidewalk installation, adjacent to properties requesting them, or required by ordinance or agreement to have them, is generally assessed to adjacent property owners. Assessments may be based on front footage, or in a manner otherwise prescribed by the City Council, or by a subdivision agreement.
3. The cost of significant repairs or reconstruction is generally the adjacent property owner’s responsibility. Significant repairs and reconstruction are generally assessed to adjacent property owners. Assessments are based on front footage, or in a manner otherwise prescribed by the City Council, or by a subdivision agreement. The City may agree, at its discretion, to pay for any portion of the repair or reconstruction cost.

Removal, Maintenance and Minor Repair Cost: The costs of sidewalk removal, maintenance, and minor repairs within rights-of-way will generally be paid for in the following manner:

1. Maintenance and minor repairs, in general, will be completed at the cost of the City, although the adjacent property owner remains primarily responsible for this work. Maintenance and minor repairs include the intermittent replacement or repair of single panels or other improvements in which the cost of assessing is determined to be too high. This work is done at the discretion of the City, which maintains the right to assess for repairs.
2. Maintenance and minor repairs done for safety reasons, which exceed 33% of the sidewalk frontage area of an adjacent property, may be billed to the property owner upon completion of the repair. Unpaid bills will be assessed to the property owner.
3. Adjacent property owners may coordinate replacement of driveway panels or access ways adjacent to the maintenance project. Replacements of driveway panels or access ways are the responsibility of the property owner. The cost of replacing panels or access ways will be billed to property owners and unpaid bills will be assessed to the property owner.
4. The cost of removing sidewalks, rough grading the area, and providing topsoil and seed is generally an expense of the City. The cost of completing the restoration in the disturbed areas, including turf is generally the property owner’s.
5. If the City determines that the activities of or negligence of adjacent property owners damaged sidewalks, property owners may complete repairs at their own expense, if they are inspected and approved by City staff. Otherwise, the entire cost of restoring the sidewalk will be billed to the adjacent property owner. Any unpaid bills will be assessed to the property.

Snow Removal: It is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, using due diligence, to keep sidewalks clear for pedestrian travel.

There are certain sidewalks, identified by the City, which may receive some snow removal services from City staff and equipment. These services are provided at the City’s discretion and do not relieve property owners of their responsibilities.

Snow remaining on sidewalks 24 hours after snow has stopped falling is a public nuisance. Property owners will be notified that their property is in violation. Beginning 12 hours after notification, City crews may clean sidewalks and bill adjacent property owners for that service. Unpaid bills will be certified to the following years’ property taxes.

Adjacent Property Owner Obligation: It is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to notify the Public Works department when a sidewalk that is potentially in need of repair is observed. As noted in Section 7.31 of the City Code, “It is the primary responsibility of the owner of property upon which there is abutting sidewalk to keep and maintain such sidewalk in safe and serviceable condition.”