What does green paint on my sidewalk, driveway approach, or curb & gutter mean?
Green paint means that our inspector has determined the sidewalk, driveway approach, or curb & gutter needs to be repaired or replaced. The criteria for marking defective sidewalk is based on evidence of deterioration and potential safety hazards due to concrete being broken, tilted, raised, settled, chipped, or displaced through overall use, freeze and thaw action, or tree root issues. A sidewalk that may appear in good condition on the surface may still need repair if it does not drain properly.
What will I be responsible to pay for?
Property Owners are responsible to pay for the repair or replacement of defective sidewalk along their property frontage. If your street is on the annual Street Program, you will not be responsible for or billed for the curb & gutter replacement or driveway approach replacement marked in green paint by the City’s inspectors. If non-defective sidewalk is impacted by utility construction (for example a water service replacement) and needs to be replaced, the property owner will not be responsible for the cost of this sidewalk replacement. The Property Owner is only responsible for walk immediately adjacent to their property frontage. Replacement of the sidewalk ramps at street intersections will not be billed to Property Owners.
What are my options for repairing the sidewalk?
If you receive a notice for sidewalk maintenance, there are three general repair options available: (Please read all options including the important notes following the listed options)
Option 1: Property owners may choose to repair their own sidewalk, providing repaired sidewalk is in compliance with the City Standard Specifications. Property owners must arrange for the work to be completed by the deadline specified in the notice.
Option 2: Property owners can arrange for a private contractor to repair their sidewalk, providing the repair is in compliance with the City Standard Specifications. Property owners must arrange for work to be completed by the deadline specified in the notice and shall pay the private contractor directly.
Option 3: Property owners can choose to have the City replace their sidewalk utilizing the City’s contractor. An assessment rate is calculated each year and is provided in the notice. Once the work is completed, the cost of the installation will be assessed against the property.
Important Notes:
a. Sidewalk that is constructed under Options 1 or Option 2 that do not meet the requirements of the City Standard Specifications will not be accepted by the City and will need to be replaced. The City Standard Specifications are available on the Sidewalk webpage.
b. If a property owner chooses either Option 1 or Option 2 and the work is not completed by the deadline specified in the notice, the City will direct the City’s contractor to complete the work. The cost of the replacement will be assessed against the property at the assessment rate.
c. If a property owner does not choose a maintenance option, the City’s contractor will be directed to replace the defective sidewalk. The cost of the replacement will be assessed against the property at the assessment rate.
d. For streets being rehabilitated or reconstructed under the WISDOT Surface Transportation Program (STP) or WisDOT Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP), Property Owners will not be given Option 1 or Option 2.
e. Any repairs or replacements performed by Property Owners or Private Contractors that do not meet the requirements of the City Standard Specifications will be replaced by the City’s Contractor and the Property Owner will be assessed for the sidewalk replacement completed by the City’s Contractor at the assessment rate.
Do I need to replace the sidewalk or can I mud-jack or grind it?
If a property Owner chooses Option 1 or Option 2 the following repair methods are acceptable to the City:
a. Concrete Raising (“Mud-jacking” or “Foam-Jacking”) if the panel(s) are not broken or cracked
b. Concrete Grinding, Sawing or Shaving if the panel(s) are not broken or cracked
c. Full Replacement of Concrete Sidewalk Panel(s)
Can I fix the sidewalk with asphalt or a concrete patching product?
No. Permanent sidewalk repairs cannot be made with asphalt or other patch products. Asphalt is only allowed as a temporary measure to alleviate trip hazards until the acceptable permanent concrete repair is made by the deadline. Only concrete raising (“mud-jacking” or ”foam-jacking”); concrete grinding, sawing, or shaving; or full replacement of concrete sidewalk panel(s) are acceptable repair methods.
What are my payment options for sidewalk replacement if I choose for the City’s contractor to do the work?
After the work is completed you will be sent an assessment / bill. You will have the following payment options:
Option 1) Pay the assessment/bill in full at time of invoice
Option 2) Include and pay for the full amount of the assessment/bill on your next property tax bill, interest beginning thirty (30) days after the date of the invoice.
Option 3) If the assessment/bill amount is more than $500, the property owner may utilize the City’s 5-year installment plan. If the 5-year installment plan is chosen, the first payment will come due at the time the property owner receives their annual tax statement. Each subsequent payment will be due when annual property taxes are due. The interest rate on the unpaid balance will be the rate established for the year the payment plan was offered (typically +/- 5.00%).
Additional questions regarding bills and payment options can be directed to the City Clerk-Treasurer’s office at 755-3074.
The terrace tree is raising the sidewalk - will the City remove the tree?
Per City Ordinances the maintenance and removal of trees in the terrace is the responsibility of the property owner. The City will only pay for the removal of a tree when it is necessary for street rehabilitation or reconstruction.
The sidewalk panel is partly on my neighbor’s property – who pays for that?
Only the portion of the sidewalk abutting (in front of) each property is assessed to the corresponding Property Owner. So, if 2 feet of the panel abuts your property and 3 feet of the panel abuts your neighbor’s property, you will pay for 2 feet and your neighbor will pay for 3 feet.
Why is there a May deadline for sidewalk repairs?
There is a deadline for private repair or replacement that is on or near May 15 every year. This deadline is in place so that when the City’s concrete Contractor comes to a street the Contractor can complete all of the concrete work necessary on that street before moving on to the next street. The City street rehabilitation program includes 10 to 12 miles of streets annually with up to 3 or 4 different Contractors performing a variety of utility and pavement rehabilitation work on each street. Given the limited construction season in Wisconsin, it is necessary that all concrete replacement work be completed on a given street to keep all of the planned work progressing on schedule.
Can I widen my driveway approach?
Yes. The City typically only pays for the replacement of what was existing. Approaches can be widened at the Property Owners request and expense. Approach widths must conform with City Ordinances regarding maximum widths allowed. If you want a wider approach contact the engineering division at 755-3175. An engineering technician will prepare an estimate and Work Authorization. By signing the Work Authorization you are authorizing the City to have the City’s Contractor perform the work and authorizing the City to bill you for the work.
Why is my neighbor getting their driveway approach replaced but I am not getting mine replaced?
The City only replaces driveway approaches when it is required for street rehabilitation activities (adjacent curb and gutter replacement, grade changes, etc.). If there is not a need to replace the approach for adjacent street improvements then approaches will not be marked for replacement.
Can I get my approach replaced even if it has not been marked?
Yes, similar to the process for widening an approach, if your street is on the Street Program and you want a new approach installed while the City’s Contractor is working on your street, a driveway approach can be replaced at the Property Owner’s request and expense. Contact the engineering division at 755-3175. An engineering technician will prepare an estimate and Work Authorization. By signing the Work Authorization you are authorizing the City to have the City’s Contractor perform the work and authorizing the City to bill you for the work.
What if I want additional concrete work done on my property?
If you would like concrete work (driveways, walks, porches, patios, etc.) installed on your private property, the City will not coordinate this work. Work done on private property must be coordinated and performed under a separate contract negotiated between the Property Owner and the contractor of the Owner’s choosing. City inspectors can provide the name and contact information for the current City Contractor upon request.
Can I have a terrace/carriage walk added or removed?
Yes. A terrace walk can be removed or added at the Property Owner’s expense. If you want a terrace walk added or removed contact the engineering division at 755-3175. An engineering technician will prepare an estimate and Work Authorization. By signing the Work Authorization you are authorizing the City to have the City’s Contractor perform the work and authorizing the City to bill you for the work.
Will the Contractor restore my lawn?
Yes. Where the terrace is disturbed adjacent to sidewalk or drive approach replacements the contractor will topsoil, seed, and mulch the restored area. The property owner should water the restored areas and pull weeds as needed to promote growth.
How will I know if I am going to lose access to my driveway?
The City’s contractor will notify you in person or by hanging a notice on your door prior to removal of your driveway approach.
How long will I be without driveway access?
Once removals begin it will typically take 7 to 10 days to remove the existing concrete, set forms for the new concrete, place the new concrete, and allow time for the new concrete to cure to the point where is has the strength necessary to support vehicle traffic. Where commercial driveways or special needs exist the driveway replacement may be constructed one half at a time or with special concrete modified to cure more quickly than standard concrete.
What will happen to my landscaping/flowers/etc. planted in the terrace?
Any items or plants in the terrace that would be impacted by the construction should be permanently or temporarily removed by the property owner prior to the work.
I have a sprinkler system or a buried dog fence – what do I need to do?
Please use a combination of marking flags and paint to mark the location of sprinkler heads. If possible, trace out the location of buried sprinkler lines or dog fences within 3 feet of the pavement or within 3 feet of the sidewalk with paint or flags.
How much will the sidewalk replacement cost?
A replacement sidewalk assessment rate is calculated annually based on that year’s construction contract costs and includes all work necessary to remove and dispose of the existing defective sidewalk, construct new sidewalk, and topsoil and seed any terrace areas disturbed by the construction. The notice sent to property owners includes the length of sidewalk to be replaced and the replacement cost based on the assessment rate should the property owner choose to have the work performed by the City’s contractor.
There are colored flags in the terrace – can I remove them?
Anyone excavating is required by law to call Diggers Hotline to have utility locations marked with paint and flags prior to excavating. Colored flags in your terrace are indications of where buried communications (orange), electric (red), gas (yellow), sewer (green), and water (blue) are located. Please note that Diggers Hotline does not mark sprinkler lines, electric pet fences or other miscellaneous lines you may have buried on your property or in the terrace. It is the property owner’s responsibility to move or mark these facilities. All flags may be removed by the property owner after the work has been completed.
There are wood stakes in the terrace about 3 or 4 feet from the road – can I remove these?
The wood stakes are location and elevation references for the new construction. Please do not remove them. They will be removed by the City or the Contractor once they are no longer needed.
Will trash and recycling pickup be affected?
No. Provisions will be made to ensure that the Contractor allows trash and recycling service to be maintained.
Will mail delivery be affected?
Mail service will continue throughout the project without interruption.
Will there be provisions made for residents with special needs?
Residents with special needs or physical limitations should contact the Engineering Division at (608) 755-3175.
Still have a question?
If you have a question that was not answered above please call (608) 755-3175.
