The City of DuBois may require owners of property abutting on
any street, including state highways, to construct, pave, repave and
repair the sidewalk, curb and gutter along such property at such grades
and under such regulations as may be prescribed by the City Engineer.
Where sidewalks or curbs are to be constructed, paved, repaved
or repaired over coal cellars or other excavations, such sidewalks
shall be supported by iron or steel beams, girders, stone or concrete
arches. Any support of wood or perishable material shall be prohibited.
All sidewalks, curbs and gutters shall be constructed, paved,
repaved or repaired upon the line and grade obtained by the property
owner from the City Engineer.
Notice to construct, pave, repave and repair sidewalks, curbs
or gutters shall be given by registered or certified mail to abutting
property owners, and such owners shall have 60 days to comply with
said notice in conformity with any construction specifications prescribed
by the City Engineer.
At any time during the performance of the required work, the
City Engineer may inspect the work to determine whether construction
specifications are being observed.
Upon the failure of any property owner to construct, pave, repave
or maintain any sidewalk, curb or gutter in compliance with notice
to do so, the City of DuBois may do the same or cause the same to
be done and may levy the cost of its work on such owner as a property
lien to be collected in the manner provided by law.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code revisions (see Ch. 1,
General Provisions, Art. II)]
Where in the opinion of the City Engineer a dangerous condition
exists; the City shall send such property owner notice by registered
or certified mail, stating emergency repairs are required. Upon failure
of such owner to comply with the notice within 48 hours after receiving
it, the City of DuBois may make emergency repairs and levy cost of
its work on such owner as a property lien to be collected in the manner
provided by law.
A. General
rule. Any city may make emergency repairs to sidewalks, within its
corporate limits, if an officer or designated individual representing
the department in charge of repairs to sidewalks upon inspection determines
that a substantial and immediate danger exists to public health, safety
and welfare.
B. Written
report. The officer or individual shall prepare a written report of
those conditions which shall be conclusive evidence of the existence
of the emergency justifying the repair.
C. Additional
remedy for city. This section is intended to provide an additional
remedy for cities in connection with emergency repairs of sidewalks.
D. Notice.
The following shall apply:
(1) A
copy of the written report shall be served upon the abutting property
owner, along with a notice to make emergency repairs to the sidewalk
within 48 hours of service of the notice and report.
(2) The
notice and copy of the report shall be served as provided in this
chapter for constructing and maintaining sidewalks and curbs.
(3) The
report shall expressly state that emergency repairs are required.
(4) If
the owner fails to make the emergency repairs within the prescribed
time, the City may make the emergency repairs to the sidewalk.
E. Costs.
Upon the completion of any emergency repairs, the cost of the repairs
shall be a charge against the owner of the abutting property and shall
be a lien, until paid, upon the abutting property, provided that a
claim is filed for the lien in accordance with the law providing for
the filing and collection of municipal claims.
F. Action
in assumpsit. The amount of the claim against the owner of the abutting
property may also be collected from the owner by an action in assumpsit.
Any property owner not required by notice to construct, pave,
repave or keep in repair sidewalks, curbs or gutters may construct,
pave, repave or repair the sidewalk, curb and gutter abutting his
property, provided that such owner shall make application to the City
Engineer before commencing work; shall conform to the provisions of
this article and other regulations as to specifications for construction
and repair work; and shall notify the City Engineer within two days
after completion of his work.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code revisions (see Ch. 1,
General Provisions, Art. II)]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article,
upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more
than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of payment of said
fine and costs, to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days.
Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.