Response to Bulletin re:Pedestrian Safety
In Saturday's Manteca Bulletin (click here for link), the editor takes the city to task for not maintaining a sidewalk adjacent to the Jack-in-the-Box on East Yosemite Avenue.
The City of Manteca makes every effort to maintain sidewalks so they are safe for pedestrians. It is not possible, however, for City staff to continually inspect the conditions of every sidewalk in the City. The adjacent property owner is in the best position to be aware of any problems. In fact, State law provides that a property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the sidewalk fronting his/her property in such condition that it will not endanger persons or property (Section 5610 of the State of California Streets and Highways Code).
In the case of the sidewalk in front of Jack-in-the Box on East Yosemite Avenue, the leaking backflow device is not owned or maintained by the City, but by the property owner. The City was not aware there was a problem until someone fell. The City has responded by cleaning the sidewalk, placing a barricade at the site to warn pedestrians, and contacting the property owner to ensure that the problem is quickly corrected.
The public should not assume that, just because a problem has existed for a long time, the City is aware of the problem. As a matter of fact, one should assume just the opposite. If the City knows of a problem that creates an unsafe condition, staff will take some corrective action immediately. In the case of overgrown bushes or slippery sidewalks, the City may not be able to completely solve the problem, because staff may have to work with the responsible property owner. At the very least, we will barricade the area to keep the public safe. In the case of cracked or raised sidewalks, the City may not be able to immediately remove the tree and replace the sidewalk, but staff will barricade the area until we can at least grind the raised edge to remove the trip hazard.
The City of Manteca has an easy on-line way to report this type of problem. You can access it using the "contact us" button at the top of the City’s home page at www.ci.manteca.ca.us. You can also call the Public Works Department at 456-8400. During non-business hours, any unsafe condition should be reported to the Police Department on its non-emergency number (456-8100).
The City’s Streets Division has been hard-hit by the budget crisis, but we will respond to unsafe conditions. So please let us know when you see a problem, so that we can, hopefully, fix the problem before someone gets hurt.
The City of Manteca makes every effort to maintain sidewalks so they are safe for pedestrians. It is not possible, however, for City staff to continually inspect the conditions of every sidewalk in the City. The adjacent property owner is in the best position to be aware of any problems. In fact, State law provides that a property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the sidewalk fronting his/her property in such condition that it will not endanger persons or property (Section 5610 of the State of California Streets and Highways Code).
In the case of the sidewalk in front of Jack-in-the Box on East Yosemite Avenue, the leaking backflow device is not owned or maintained by the City, but by the property owner. The City was not aware there was a problem until someone fell. The City has responded by cleaning the sidewalk, placing a barricade at the site to warn pedestrians, and contacting the property owner to ensure that the problem is quickly corrected.
The public should not assume that, just because a problem has existed for a long time, the City is aware of the problem. As a matter of fact, one should assume just the opposite. If the City knows of a problem that creates an unsafe condition, staff will take some corrective action immediately. In the case of overgrown bushes or slippery sidewalks, the City may not be able to completely solve the problem, because staff may have to work with the responsible property owner. At the very least, we will barricade the area to keep the public safe. In the case of cracked or raised sidewalks, the City may not be able to immediately remove the tree and replace the sidewalk, but staff will barricade the area until we can at least grind the raised edge to remove the trip hazard.
The City of Manteca has an easy on-line way to report this type of problem. You can access it using the "contact us" button at the top of the City’s home page at www.ci.manteca.ca.us. You can also call the Public Works Department at 456-8400. During non-business hours, any unsafe condition should be reported to the Police Department on its non-emergency number (456-8100).
The City’s Streets Division has been hard-hit by the budget crisis, but we will respond to unsafe conditions. So please let us know when you see a problem, so that we can, hopefully, fix the problem before someone gets hurt.
Labels: Budget, Level of Service
posted by City Manager @ 5:24 AM
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