City of Bridgeton, MO Chapter 535 Streets, Sidewalks and Public Works

Cross Reference — Selling commodities on streets, §605.020.

Section 535.010 Obstructions — Sidewalks, With Merchandise, Boxes, Etc..

[Ord. No. 120 §20, 2-25-1932]

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit any boxes, goods, wares or merchandise to obstruct the sidewalk further than two (2) feet from the front of the building, or hang or suspend boxes or merchandise over the sidewalk.

Section 535.020 Obstructions — Permit.

[Ord. No. 383 §104-4, 10-21-1959; Ord. No. 696 §2, 10-7-1964]

No public street, parkway, alley or sidewalk or other public place in the City shall be obstructed by the storage or placement of materials or equipment without a permit having been issued by the Building Official.

Section 535.030 Obstructions — Projecting Weeds and Growth.

[Ord. No. 120 §15, 2-25-1932]

It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, leases or controls any lot or parcel of ground which adjoins any public street, highway, sidewalk, alley, or other public place, to allow any weeds or other growth to project over or into such street, alley, sidewalk or other public place so as to prevent clear passage along same.

Section 535.040 Removal of Debris, Ice, Etc., From Sidewalks.

[Ord. No. 276 §12(c)(13), 1957; Ord. No. 796 §1, 5-18-1966]

The tenants or occupants of all premises occupied by them and the owners or agents of vacant lots owned by them or under their control shall keep the sidewalks in front of and adjoining the property owned, controlled or occupied by them, swept and clear of paper, dirt, mud, filth, animal or vegetable matter, or any substance or article. After any fall of snow or sleet or formation of ice thereon, the owners, agents, occupants or tenants shall cause the same to be immediately removed from the sidewalk fronting or adjoining the property owned, managed, or occupied by them.

Section 535.050 Spilling Substances On Sidewalks.

[Ord. No. 276 §12(c)(14), 1957; Ord. No. 796 §1, 5-18-1966]

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit to be placed, thrown or to leak or spill from a vehicle or otherwise upon the pavement or surface of any sidewalk, any liquid asphalt or substance, liquid or material which might thereby endanger, impede or inconvenience the movement of pedestrians or render the surface of such sidewalk rough or uneven.

Section 535.060 Removing or Depositing Turf, Gravel, Etc..

[Ord. No. 120 §33, 2-25-1932]

It shall be unlawful for any person to take from or deposit on any street, alley, thoroughfare, sidewalk or other public place, or from or on property not owned or controlled by him without having lawful authority to do so, any turf, loam, gravel, rock, earth, or other material.

Section 535.070 Board of Street Commissioners — Membership — Qualifications — Appointment — Terms.

[Ord. No. 522 §1, 5-2-1962]

The Board of Street Commissioners shall consist of five (5) resident freeholders of the City who have resided in the City for at least one (1) year next before their appointment. The members of the Board shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the Council. Each freeholder member shall serve for a term of two (2) years, except that, of the five (5) members first appointed, two (2) shall be appointed and serve for a period of one (1) year and three (3) shall be appointed and serve for a period of two (2) years. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled by appointment and approval in like manner for the unexpired portion of that term. All members shall continue to serve until their respective successors shall have been appointed and qualified. In addition, one (1) Councilman shall serve as an ex officio member of the commission but without a vote.

Section 535.080 Board of Street Commissioners — Removal of Members — Chairman — Secretary.

[Ord. No. 522 §1, 5-2-1962]

Any member of the Board may be removed for cause from office by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the Council, but such member shall first be presented a written statement of the reasons therefor and shall have the privilege of a public hearing if he so requests. The Mayor shall select one (1) of the members as chairman and one (1) of the members as its secretary to serve during each year.

Section 535.090 Board of Street Commissioners — Required Vote For Action.

[Ord. No. 522 §1, 5-2-1962]

The majority of the Board of Street Commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but no action shall be taken by the Board unless at least three (3) concurring votes are cast.

Section 535.100 Board of Street Commissioners — Duties.

[Ord. No. 522 §2, 5-2-1962]

The Board of Street Commissioners shall be responsible for recommending to the Mayor and Council proposals that will promote economy and efficiency in the department having street jurisdiction, for the preparation of an annual budget which shall be submitted to the Mayor and finance commission. The Board shall recommend to the Mayor and Council a comprehensive plan for lighting the streets of the City.

Section 535.110 Procedure For Vacating Public Streets.

[Ord. No. 74-5 §§1-12, 1-16-1974; Ord. No. 79-55 §1, 8-1-1979; Ord. No. 00-15 §1, 3-1-2000; Ord. No. 04-34 §17, 5-19-2004]

A. A proposal to vacate an easement or right-of-way for a public street, hereinafter called a "public street", may be initiated by the City Council, the Planning Commission, or by any owner of land abutting such public street.

B. A landowner shall initiate a proposal to vacate a public street by filing a request for such vacation in such form as the City Engineer may prescribe and shall submit with such request such supporting information and documents as the City Engineer may by general rule prescribe.

C. The City Clerk shall promptly refer to the Planning Commission all requests and proposals to vacate a public street.

D. The Planning Commission shall cause the City Clerk to give not less than five (5) days' notice by certified mail of the date, time and place of the meeting at which the Planning Commission shall consider any proposition for the vacation of a public street, whether initiated by the Council, the Planning Commission, or by request of a property owner, to the following:

1. The owner or owners of all property within one hundred eighty-five (185) feet of the portion of such public street sought to be vacated;

2. The Board of Education of the school district in which such street is located;

3. The Board of Trustees of the Fire District in which such street is located;

4. The Ameren UE Company, the Laclede Gas Company, the St. Louis County Water Company, the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District and any other entity which may have facilities in the right-of-way.

E. All notices to property owners as herein provided for shall be directed to such property owners at their addresses as shown on the tax records for such property in the City offices, or if no such address is listed in the City offices, in the office of the Department of Revenue of St. Louis County. If no address of a property owner is indicated in conjunction with the property in either the tax records of the City or the Department of Revenue of St. Louis County, no notice need be mailed to the property owner. In any event, the failure of any party entitled to notice hereunder to receive the same shall not in any way cause to invalidate any proceedings to vacate a street conducted under this Section.

F. The Planning Commission shall consider each proposition for the vacation of a public street and make its recommendation thereon to the Council within eighty (80) days of the referral of the request to the Planning Commission, unless the Council or the applicant agrees to an extension of the time.

G. The affirmative vote of the majority of all members of the Planning Commission shall be required for a favorable recommendation on a proposal to vacate a public street.

H. The vacation of a public street against the recommendation of the Planning Commission may be adopted by the Council only on the affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the entire membership of the Council.

I. In case of a protest against the vacation of a public street signed and acknowledged by the owners of ten percent (10%) or more of the area of land within one hundred eighty-five (185) feet of such public street, the vacation of such public street shall not become effective except on the favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the entire membership of the Council.

J. The City Council shall at its next regular meeting after receipt of the recommendation of the Planning Commission on any proposed vacation of a public street, call a public hearing on such proposed vacation at which parties in interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. At least fifteen (15) days' notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in an official paper, or in a paper of general circulation of the City.

K. Any landowner requesting the vacation of a public street shall pay a filing fee of three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00).

L. Any request for the vacation of a public street initiated by a property owner which has been denied by the Council may not be resubmitted for a period of six (6) months from the date of such denial.

Section 535.120 Authority and Responsibility of Subdivision Trustees or Subdivision Residents Regarding Subdivision Monuments.

[Ord. No. 80-55 §1, 8-20-1980; Ord. No. 07-30 §1, 8-1-2007]

A. Any subdivision monument and/or sign located on or within public right-of-way shall be maintained by the subdivision trustees, subdivision association or subdivision residents for that subdivision, provided that the City's rights in this respect are not limited. Failure by the subdivision trustees, subdivision association or subdivision residents to adequately maintain a subdivision monument and/or sign within public right-of-way may result in removal of said monument and/or sign.

B. Before any subdivision monument and/or sign is removed by the City, the City Engineer shall attempt to contact the affected subdivision trustees, subdivision association or post it at the site, and City Council members to notify them of removal plans. No removal shall be made within fifteen (15) days of said notification.

Section 535.130 Adopt-A-Street Program.

[Ord. No. 01-01 §1, 1-3-2001]

A. Short Title. This code shall be known as the Adopt-A-Street Program of the City of Bridgeton.

B. Purpose. To increase public awareness of the environmental needs along Bridgeton's roadways and to provide volunteer community support for anti-litter and beautification programs. It will reduce litter along the roads, enhance the environment and beautify Bridgeton.

C. Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall be deemed to have the meaning indicated below:

ADOPTED SECTION

A particular section of street right-of-way designated by the City to be adopted by the volunteer individual or group participating in the Adopt-a-Street Program.

ADOPTER

An individual or group approved by the City to be a participant in the Adopt-a-Street Program.

ADOPTER REPRESENTATIVE

A group member designated to represent the volunteer group and serve as its liaison with the City and who is usually the person who signs the agreement.

AGREEMENT

The written agreement between the volunteer individual or group adopting a street or section of a street and the City.

APPLICANT

The individual or group applying for participation in the Adopt-a-Street Program.

COMMISSION

The City of Bridgeton, or its designated representative.

DEPARTMENT

The Street Division of the Department of Public Works.

LITTER

Any unsightly matter that may include, but is not limited to, disposable packaging, containers, cans, bottles, paper and cigar or cigarette butts. Litter does not include hazardous, heavy or large items.

PROGRAM

The City of Bridgeton Adopt-a-Street Program.

PROGRAM ACTIVITY

Litter pickup and/or beautification.

D. Administration.

1. The Program shall be controlled and administered by the Administrative Assistant or his designee ("Administrator").

2. The Administrator shall have the authority to provide a form of Adopt-A-Street Agreement for the program and to issue safety material for the program and to do all things necessary or appropriate to administer the program.

3. The Administrator may terminate any agreement if the adopter does not perform at least three (3) times per year the activity provided in the agreement.

E. Application For Participation.

1. Eligibility.

a. Eligible adopters include civic and non-profit organizations, commercial and private enterprises and individuals.

b. Applicants must adhere to the restrictions of all State and Federal non-discrimination laws. Specifically, the applicant must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin or disability. Such discrimination disqualifies the applicant from participation in the program.

c. Applicants who have been convicted of violent or criminal behavior are prohibited from participation in the program.

d. The Administrator shall determine whether an application is rejected or accepted under the criteria of the Code. An applicant may appeal to the City Council a denial of an application by filing such appeal with the City Clerk within ten (10) days after the applicant receives notice of denial of its application. The decision of the City Council on such appeal shall be final.

e. All City streets shall be eligible for adoption unless the governing body of a subdivision shall determine that streets in such subdivision shall not be adopted.

F. Agreement Terms And Performance Requirements.

1. If an application is approved, the adopter representative shall execute a written agreement with the City. Upon signing by both parties, the agreement becomes effective and provides for the group's participation in the program.

2. The adopter shall abide by all provisions contained in the agreement, including safety requirements listed in the safety tips brochure. The members of the group participating in the program shall attend a safety meeting conducted by the adopter representative, before participation in any program activity, and shall use all safety equipment provided and perform the work in a safe and professional manner.

3. The adopter shall provide one (1) adult supervisor for every eight (8) participants between thirteen (13) and seventeen (17) years of age. No one under the age of thirteen (13) years will be allowed to participate in the program. A group shall have a maximum of eight (8) participants plus a supervisor.

4. The adopter shall adopt a section of roadway for a minimum of three (3) years and shall collect litter along adopted section or street a minimum of four (4) times per year. The adopter representative shall provide prior notice to the Public Works Department before performing any program activity. Notice may be made by calling 739-7665 between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, or by calling 291-4314 between the hours of 7:30 A.M. and 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. Program activity shall be confined to the areas of right-of-way outside the pavement and shoulder areas. Program activity shall be performed between the hours of one (1) hour after sunrise to one (1) hour before sunset and shall not be performed during inclement weather.

5. Any members participating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs will result in the dissolution of the agreement with the City.

6. Trash/litter shall be placed in trash bags provided by the City. Filled bags shall be placed at a designated location for pickup by the Street Department.

7. The adopter representative shall indemnify and hold harmless the City and their officers, employees and agents from any claim, lawsuit or liability which may arise from adopter's participation in the program.

G. Responsibilities Of The City.

1. The City shall determine the specific area of street to be adopted.

2. The Public Works Department will install and maintain signs, if desired, at both ends of the adopted section. The Public Works Department shall provide the adopter with trash bags and safety equipment and will remove and dispose of filled trash bags from the adopted section as soon as practical after the litter pickup is finished.

3. The City reserves the right to terminate the agreement and remove the signs when, in the sole judgment of the Commission, it is found that the adopter has not met the terms and conditions of the agreement or there is concern about the safety of the adopters or traveling public.

H. Sign Specifications.

1. Signs shall identify and recognize the adopter, but are not intended to be an advertising medium.

2. Signs shall be designated by the City regarding size, color, location, and text.

3. Signs shall have only the actual name of the adopter with no telephone numbers, logos, slogans or addresses.

4. Signs shall not contain wording which is obscene or profane or implies an obscenity or profanity.

5. Erection of a sign is not a requirement for participation in the program.

6. Signs cannot be used as a memorial.