The city commissioners assured several property owners in the neighborhoods affected next year by Madison's annual sidewalk improvement program that they will have time to review the proposals and offer their opinions of the plans.
The Madison City Commission acknowledged on Monday two proposals from the municipal sidewalk committee, Resolutions of Necessity 2013-1 and 2013-2, regarding which neighborhoods should be chosen for the 2013 sidewalk installation program.
The sidewalk committee members have recommended that property owners along West Ave. between N.W. 2nd and S.W. 1st streets. and along S.W. 1st St. on all city land west of Ramm Heights Drive to Chicago Ave. either install sidewalks or repair any defective walkways next summer.
When asked about the availability of any financial assistance for property, City Engineer Chad Comes said some property owners involved in previous programs used an assessment program operated by the city. Comes explained that the assessment program stretched out payments for five to seven years with an interest rate "a couple of points" above the prime rate.
Under the current schedule for the sidewalk resolutions, city officials will publish the proposed resolutions on Thursday and mail notices to affected property owners soon afterward. Property owners in the affected neighborhoods can send written objections to City Hall until 5 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2013.
The proposed schedule for the improvement plan process includes a hearing at 5:35 p.m. on Jan. 7 to review the proposed resolutions and hear public comments. The commissioners will also consider adopting the resolutions after the public hearing.
The commissioners also held a hearing to consider the renewal of 15 on-sale and five off-sale alcohol licenses held by local businesses and organizations. They approved all of the renewals.
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