City Sidewalks Are Point Of Concern
Nathan Willey with Oskaloosa Public Works (left) and Akhilesh Pal, Oskaloosa Public Works Director (right) check out a sidewalk along South Market
Oskaloosa, Iowa – In what some might think is a prankster, little white marks have been showing up on sidewalks all around Oskaloosa. No, it’s not some mischievous prankster, it’s the City of Oskaloosa marking out problem areas.
Oskaloosa Public Works Director Akhilesh Pal said that, “to bring all the sidewalks in the city limits to compliance.”
“We had to start,” Pal said in regards to keeping up with the city code and in regards to the recent push at getting sidewalks repaired in the city. “We did this program long ago. We stopped maybe 3 or 4 years ago.” but says that it’s best to keep the sidewalks in good shape for pedestrians and also to keep up with ADA compliance.
Once a sidewalk has been marked by the city, the resident will get a notice and the resident will have 30 days to fix the sidewalk. “We don’t stick by our guns to say ‘hey, 30 days’. We will be working with them if they show us intentions to do it.” Pal said an example would be if the resident has been out of town on vacation, “we will work with them, but the code says 30 days.”
If after 30 days, or some other agreement worked out with the department, “The city will take the initiative,” and will fix the sidewalk at the owners expense. Pal says the city will hire a contractor to repair the sidewalk, “we will contract it out and we will ask contractors to come and give us a cost. We will go with the cheapest bid.”
“We will work with them as long as they have the intentions to get it done.” Pal said.
Pal would like to remind everyone, “We are working this for the citizens.” and says, “We’ve got to make the city look good. We are working on the streets too.”
Pal says they are working on the streets with their limited budget, and used the recent pavement revitalization and crack sealing efforts as an example of the cities continuing work to improve Oskaloosa’s roads, utilizing the cities 5 year plan.
Local home owner and property owner Shaun Smith doesn’t mind having to fix the sidewalk in front of his property, his problem came with having to get permission to fix the sidewalk that had just recently been marked by city officials. “I went up and talked with Akhilesh.”
Feeling frustrated, Smith readily admits that he wasn’t in the best of moods when he went to talk with Pal and asked him to meet him at his residence to help further explain what would be required in order to complete the sidewalk project.
Pal arrived, “and he showed me what needed to be done.” Saying Pal was very nice in helping to explain what needed to be completed.
The step that Smith was unaware of was the permit process. “I have to pull a permit to fix your property?” was his response. “That doesn’t seem right. Your demanding me to fix my sidewalk or your sidewalk or who’s ever sidewalk… and pay for everything and also pay you to do it.”
A quick call to Pal by Osky News did confirm that a permit to fix the sidewalk could be $30.00 to $40.00. Permits can be obtained at the Oskaloosa Public Works location at 804 South D Street.
“I do appreciate Akhilesh,” Smith said, saying that he was very helpful in working with him in getting the project completed.
If you have an questions in regards to a notice or markings on your sidewalk, you can contact the Oskaloosa Public Works Department at 641-673-7472 or at the above listed address.
