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City of Fairfax, MN
Renville County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (1) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Fairfax 7-5-1994. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The City Council declares that the retention, repair and replacement of existing sidewalks within the City of Fairfax is in the public interest and that as far as possible the existing sidewalk system should be maintained, repaired and replaced, except in such circumstances where the Council determines it is unnecessary, unfair, or not in the public interest to continue the sidewalk system. The City Council shall review and consider all areas of the City that are not presently served by the sidewalk system. The City Council shall determine whether or not a sidewalk system would be appropriate under the circumstances in any such area. To the degree the City Council determines sidewalks to be appropriate the Council shall have in its discretion the right to determine whether sidewalks should not be appropriate and exercise of such discretion shall not prevent the Council from enforcing any provisions of Chapter 204, Art. IV, of this Code requiring the repair, replacement or maintenance of sidewalks in other areas of the City. As new subdivisions and areas of the City are developed, the City Council shall review as part of the platting process such areas and determine whether or not the installation of sidewalks are appropriate, and shall require or waive the installation of sidewalks in each area on a case by case basis.
[Amended 6-13-2023 by Ord. No. 438]
A. 
All sidewalks, curbs and gutters located in the community shall be inspected on a regular annual basis. The Superintendent of Streets and Utilities shall be responsible for coordinating the annual inspection of sidewalks.
B. 
Sidewalks should be considered for repair and/or replacement if one of the following criteria is met:
(1) 
Three-quarters-inch difference or more in elevation.
(2) 
Excessive broken pieces.
(3) 
Excessive cracks or deterioration is present.
C. 
The sidewalk inspection report shall be filed with the City Clerk-Treasurer and be open to public inspection.
D. 
The City Council shall take bids and approve contracts for the construction of new sidewalks.
[Amended 6-13-2023 by Ord. No. 438]
A. 
The City shall budget funds on an annual basis to perform the repair and/or replacement of the sidewalks identified as in need of repair. All sidewalk repairs abutting upon residential, commercial, or industrial property shall be paid by the City from the allotted sidewalk budget, until the annual budget is exhausted. Any identified sidewalks that were not either repaired or replaced prior to the budget being spent will be again inspected the following year and given higher priority than newly identified sidewalk projects.
B. 
The Superintendent of Streets and Utilities will decide if obstacles should be removed prior to or during a sidewalk repair. Obstacles may include trees, water valves, or other items. The cost of removing the obstacle will be the expense of the City, unless the obstacle is located on private property.
A. 
Boulevards. Boulevards shall be a width of five feet except in cases when it is determined by the Council that it is not feasible due to trees, fire hydrants, or structures in the area.
B. 
Sidewalks. Work shall be performed in accordance with Chapter 204, Art. IV, of this Code and Section No. 2521, Walks, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Standard Specifications for Construction, 1988 Edition, as amended. In residential areas the width of the sidewalk shall be five feet wide and four inches thick, except in cases where the replacement of sidewalk is between two sections that are a different width than five feet. The slope of the sidewalk shall be 1/4 inch per foot to the street side. The width of sidewalks in the commercial areas shall be determined by existing sidewalks.
C. 
Pedestrian curb ramps for the handicapped shall comply with State of Minnesota Department of Transportation specification No. 2521-31.
The policy for electric distribution underground and sidewalk projects to landscape as follows: If the area is less than 18 inches wide it will be raked/seed and over 18 inches wide will have sod put down. Homeowners will assume responsibility for watering.