Chapter XIII – Streets and Sidewalks

CHAPTER XIII.  STREETS AND SIDEWALKS

Article 1.  Sidewalks

Article 2.  Streets

Article 3.  Trees and Shrubs

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ARTICLE 1.  SIDEWALKS

13-101.                PERMIT REQUIRED.  It shall be unlawful to construct, reconstruct or repair any sidewalk within the city until the plans first have been approved by the governing body and a permit issued for such work by the city clerk. (Code 2015)

13-102.                SIDEWALK GRADE.  Hereafter all sidewalks constructed or reconstructed in the city shall be constructed on the established grade. When the governing body shall order a sidewalk constructed as hereafter provided, the city shall pay the cost of bringing the street to grade for the sidewalk. Where no grade has been established, the owner of abutting property may construct a sidewalk on the natural grade. If the grade has been established, the city clerk shall furnish the property owner with the official grade by reference to a stated distance above or below the street grade. (K.S.A. 12-1801, 12-1807; Code 2015)

13-103.                SAME; SPECIFICATIONS.  (a)  Hereafter all sidewalks shall be of single- course construction, be four feet wide, constructed of brick or cement, be set out two feet from property lines, and shall be constructed and laid in accordance with standard plans and specifications hereby adopted by reference and filed in the office of the city clerk as provided by K.S.A. 12-1802. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to construct, reconstruct or repair any sidewalk except as provided by this article.

  • As an exception to the requirements of section (a), all sidewalks on Main Street from the south side of Wash Street to the north side of Bramley Street and on Highway Street from the east side of Main Street to the west side of Bowlus Street and on Bowlus Street from the south side of Highway Street to the north side of Bramley Street and on Bramley Street from the west side of Bowlus Street to the east side of Main Street shall be twelve feet wide. (Ord. 142, Sec. 204; Ord. 187, Sec. 1; Code 2015)

13-104.                SAME; PETITION.  When a petition signed by no fewer than 10 citizens owning real estate in the city requesting construction of a sidewalk is filed with the city clerk, the governing body may in its discretion, by a resolution, order such sidewalk constructed as herein provided. (K.S.A. 12-1803; Code 2015)

13-105.                SAME; CONDEMNATION, RECONSTRUCTION.  When any sidewalk, in the opinion of the governing body, become inadequate or unsafe for travel thereon, the governing body may adopt a resolution condemning such walk and providing for the construction of a new walk in the place of the walk condemned. (K.S.A. 12-1804; Code 2015)

13-106.                NOTICE; PUBLICATION.  The resolution providing for the construction or reconstruction of a sidewalk, as the case may be, shall give the owner of the abutting property not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after its publication one time in the official city paper in which to construct or cause to be constructed or reconstructed the sidewalk at his or her own expense. If the sidewalk is not constructed by the property owner within the time specified, the governing body shall cause the work to be done by contract. (K.S.A.  12-1805; Code 2015)

13-107.                RIGHT OF ABUTTING OWNER.  Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit the owner of property abutting on a street, who desires to construct or reconstruct a sidewalk at his or her own expense and in accordance with official plans and specifications for the purpose and which meet such other requirements as would have to be met if the sidewalk were constructed or reconstructed by the city, to construct or reconstruct a sidewalk without any petition or a condemning resolution by the governing body. If such property owner desires the sidewalk to be constructed and reconstructed by the city and an assessment levied as provided by law in other cases, he or she shall file a request with the governing body. The governing body, in its discretion, may provide for the construction or reconstruction of the sidewalk requested in the same manner as in other cases where citizens or taxpayers petition the governing body. (K.S.A. 12-1806; Code 2015)

13-108.                REPAIRS BY OWNER OR CITY.  It shall be the duty of the owner of the abutting property to keep the sidewalk in repair, but the city may, after giving five days’ notice to the owner or his or her agent, if known, of the necessity for making repairs or without notice if the lot or piece of land is unoccupied, make all necessary repairs at any time. The same shall be done and the cost thereof assessed against the lot or piece of land abutting on the sidewalk so repaired as may be provided by law. (K.S.A. 12-1808; Code 2015)

13-109.                PERFORMANCE, STATUTORY BOND.  In any case where the reconstruction or construction of a sidewalk is required to be done by contract as provided in section 13-106 hereof, the governing body may require the contractor to give a bond for the faithful performance of the contract and for the construction of the sidewalk in accordance with the plans and specifications, ordinances of the city or laws of Kansas, and for all contracts exceeding $1,000 entered into by the city for any such purpose a statutory lien bond required by K.S.A. 60-1111 shall be furnished. (Code 2015)

13-110.                OBSTRUCTING SIDEWALKS.  It shall be unlawful for any person to build or construct any step or other obstruction, whether temporary or permanent, or to store, leave or allow to be left any implements, tools, merchandise, goods, containers, benches, display or show cases, or to park or leave unattended any vehicle on any sidewalks or other public ways in the city or to obstruct the same longer than is necessary for loading or unloading any such article or object. (Code 2015)

13-111.                SAME; EXCEPTION.  The governing body may authorize the granting of temporary permits in connection with a building or moving permit for limited times only to the owner of property abutting on any sidewalk to use or encumber such sidewalk or public way of the city during the construction of any building or improvement thereon.  No permit shall be issued for such purpose until plans for warning and safeguarding the public during such use of sidewalks shall have been submitted by the owner or his or her contractor and approved by the governing body. (Code 2015)

ARTICLE 2.  STREETS

13-201.                EXCAVATION PERMIT.  No person, other than authorized city employees, shall dig or excavate any hole, ditch, trench or tunnel in or under any street, alley, sidewalk, park or other public property or public easement through private property without first having secured a permit for such excavation. Application shall be made to the city clerk.  (Code 2015)

13-202.                SAME; BOND.  (a)  No permit authorized in this article shall be issued until the applicant has given to the city a good and sufficient bond in the sum of $5,000 conditioned that the applicant will faithfully comply with all the terms and conditions of this article, and will indemnify and hold the city harmless against all costs, expenses, damages and injuries by persons or by the city sustained by reason of the carelessness or negligence of the permit holder. No bond for this purpose shall run for longer than two years without being renewed. The bond shall remain in full force and effect as to each excavation for two years after the same has been made or completed.

(b)    Any utility operating under a franchise or a contractor under contract with the city for municipal improvement shall not be required to give bond as provided in subsection (a).

(c)    Each bond given under this section shall be approved by the city attorney and filed with the city clerk.  (Code 2015)

13-203.                SAME; FILED.  If the application is approved by the city, the city clerk shall issue a permit upon payment of a fee of $20.00. Each permit issued under the provisions of this section shall cover only one specified excavation. (Code 2015)

13-204.                SAME; BARRICADES.   Any person to whom an excavation permit is issued shall enclose all excavations which they make with sufficient barricades and danger signs at all times, and shall maintain sufficient warning lights or flares at nighttime. The holder of an excavation permit shall take all necessary precautions to guard the public against all accidents from the beginning of the work to the completion of the same.  (Code 2015)

13-205.                SAME; UNLAWFUL ACTS.  It shall be unlawful for any person, except those having authority from the city or any officer thereof to throw down, interfere with or remove any barriers, barricades, or lights placed in any street to guard and warn the traveling public of any construction work thereon or adjacent thereto. (Code 2015)

13-206.                CUTTING CURBS; PAVEMENT.  (a)  No person shall cut any curb, gutter, pavement, blacktop, sidewalk or excavate any street, alley or other public grounds of the city for any purpose without first obtaining a permit authorizing the same from the city clerk.

(b)    Once the work for which the excavation was made has been completed the city shall restore the pavement, blacktop, sidewalk or other surfacing at the expense of the person from whom the excavation was made.

(c)    In lieu of the city replacing pavement, it may elect to authorize utility companies or contractors to resurface streets or sidewalks with like materials, subject to approval of the city foreman.  (Code 2015)

13-207.                ALTERING DRAINAGE.  No person shall change or alter any gutter, storm sewer, drain or drainage structure which has been constructed, or is being lawfully maintained or controlled by the city unless such change or alteration has been authorized or directed by the governing body.  (Code 2015)

13-208.                UNFINISHED PAVEMENT.  No person shall walk upon, drive or ride over or across any pavement, sidewalk or incomplete grading which has not been opened for traffic.  (Code 2015)

13-209.                USING STREETS.  (a)  No person shall occupy any portion of any street, alley or sidewalk for the purpose of temporarily storing building materials without first obtaining a permit for such temporary use from the governing body.

(b)    No person may use any portion of any sidewalk or street right-of-way for the purpose of displaying or offering for sale wares, goods, merchandise or other items. Nothing in this article, however, shall be construed as prohibiting the city governing body from temporarily waiving the prohibition of this subsection in connection with community promotions or community-wide celebrations when such waiver is considered to be in the best interest of the city.  (Code 2015)

13-210.                DANGEROUS OBJECTS IN.  It shall be unlawful for any person to place, throw or cause to be placed or thrown in or on any street, alley, sidewalk or other public grounds of the city, any glass, tacks, nails, bottles, wire or other dangerous objects that might wound any person or animal, or cut or puncture any pneumatic tire while passing over the same.  (Code 2015)

13-211.                PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN STREETS.  It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to deposit or throw any waste oil, fuel oil, kerosene, gasoline or other products of petroleum or any acids into or upon any street or public grounds of the city, or willfully to permit the same to be spilled, dripped or otherwise to come into contact with the surface of any street, alley, or sidewalk within the city. (Code 2015)

13-212.                DISCHARGING WATER ON STREETS.  It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to throw or discharge water into any ditch, street, avenue or alley in the city or to cause any water to stand or form pools or to flow in a stream thereon. This section shall not apply to persons cleaning or flushing such streets, avenues or alleys under the authority of the governing body, nor to members of the fire department.  (Code 2015)

13-213.                BURNING IN STREETS.  It shall be unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made, any fire upon any of the paved streets, alleys, or street intersections within the city.  (Code 2015)

13-214.                THROWING IN STREETS.  It shall be unlawful to throw or bat any ball, stone, or other hard substance into, on or across any street or alley or at or against any building or vehicle.  (Code 2015)

13-215.                HAULING LOOSE MATERIAL.  It shall be unlawful to haul over the streets or alleys of this city any loose material of any kind except in a vehicle so constructed or maintained as to prevent the splashing or spilling of any of the substances therein contained upon the streets or alleys. (Code 2015)

ARTICLE 3.  TREES AND SHRUBS

13-301.                PUBLIC TREE CARE.  The city shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds, as may be necessary to insure safety when servicing city utilities or to preserve the symmetry and beauty of public grounds. The city may remove or cause or order to be removed, any tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which by reason of its nature is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines or other public improvements, or is affected with any injurious fungus, insect or other pest. (Code 2015)

13-302.                 DISEASED TREES; DETERMINATION.  Whenever any competent city authority or competent state or federal authority shall file with the governing body a statement in writing based upon a laboratory test or other supporting evidence that trees or tree materials or shrubs located upon private property within the city are infected or infested with or harbor any tree or plant disease or insect or larvae, the uncontrolled presence of which may constitute a hazard to or result in the damage or extinction of other trees or shrubs in the community, describing the same and where located, the governing body shall direct the city clerk to forthwith issue notice requiring the owner or agent of the owner of the premises to treat or to remove any such designated tree, tree material or shrub within a time specified in the notice.  (Code 2015)

13-303.                SAME; NOTICE SERVED.  Notice shall be served by the Sheriff or the public officer by delivering a copy thereof to the owner, and the person in possession of such property, or if the same be unoccupied or the owner a nonresident of the city, then the city clerk shall notify the owner by mailing a notice by certified mail to his or her last known address.  (Code 2015)

13-304.                SAME; FAILURE OF OWNER; DUTY OF CITY.  If the owner or agent shall fail to comply with the requirements of the notice within the time specified in the notice, then the chief of police shall proceed to have the designated tree, tree material or shrub treated or removed and report the cost thereof to the city clerk.  In lieu of city employees performing any such work, the governing body may contract with any competent person, company or corporation for the performance of such work.  (Code 2015)

13-305.                SAME; PREVENT SPREAD OF DISEASE.  No tree, tree materials or shrubs as mentioned herein which have been cut down, either by the property owner or by the city, shall be permitted to remain on the premises, but shall be immediately treated, removed and burned or immediately burned upon the premises, if safe to do so, so as to prevent the spread of the tree disease.  (Code 2015)

13-306.                DANGEROUS, DEAD OR DISEASED TREES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

(a)    Every owner of any tree and/or shrub overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of 14 feet above the surface of the street or right-of-way. The owners shall remove all dead, diseased or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public. The city shall have the right to prune any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street from a street light, or interferes with visibility of any traffic control device or sign.

(b)    The city shall have the right to cause the removal of any dangerous, dead or diseased trees on private property within the city, when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property. The city will notify in writing the owners of such trees.  Removal shall be done by said owners at their own expense within 60 days after the date of service of notice. The owners, within 30 days of the notice, may request a hearing covering the ordered removal. In the event of failure of owners to comply with such provisions, the city shall have the authority to remove the trees and charge the cost of removal on the owner’s property tax notice. (Code 2015)

13-307.                TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY; COST BORNE BY CITY.  The city shall have the authority to treat or to remove any tree as defined in section 13-301 of this article, or to remove any dead tree as mentioned herein, which is located within the limits of any public right-of-way within the city. The adjacent property owners shall not be responsible for the cost of treatment or removal of any such trees within the public right-of-way and this expense shall be borne by the city at large.  (Code 2015)

13-308.                COSTS ON TAX ROLLS.  The city clerk shall, at the time of certifying other city taxes to the county clerk, certify the unpaid costs for treatment or removal performed under the authority of sections 13-304:306 and the county clerk shall extend the same on the tax roll of the county against the lot or parcel of ground. The cost of such work shall be paid from the general fund or other proper fund of the city, and such fund shall be reimbursed when payments therefore are received or when such assessments are collected and received by the city.  (Code 2015)

13-309.                INJURING TREES AND SHRUBS.  No person shall willfully break, cut, take away, destroy, injure, mutilate, or attempt to willfully break, cut, take away, destroy, injure or mutilate any tree, shrub, vine, flower or landscaping standing, growing, or being upon the premises in the possession of another, or growing on any public ground, street, sidewalk, promenade or park in the city. (Code 2015)

13-310.                FIRE HYDRANTS, PLANTINGS ADJACENT TO.  No person shall plant or cause to be planted nor allow to grow upon property owned by him or her any shrubs, trees, or planting of any kind within 10 feet of any fire hydrant in the city, in order that every fire hydrant shall be in full view day or night, to fire apparatus approaching from any direction.  (Code 2015)

13-311.                LOCATION RESTRICTIONS.  (a)  No person shall plant any trees or shrubs between property lines on streets, in alleys, within ten feet of any curbing or curb line, or within ten feet of existing power and electric lines if such tree or shrub will exceed fifteen feet in height upon maturity.

(b)    Street trees may be planted no closer together than thirty (30) feet except in special plantings approved by the city foreman.

(c)    Street trees may be planted in the tree lawn where there is more than six (6) feet between the edge of the sidewalk and the curb of the street. Street trees shall be planted no closer than three (3) feet from a sidewalk or a street.

(d)    No street tree shall be planted closer than thirty five (35) feet from any street corner, measured from the point of the nearest intersection of curbs or curb lines.

(e)    Special permission must be obtained from the city foreman when planting street trees within ten (10) feet of any point on a line on the ground immediately below any overhead utility wire, or within five (5) lateral feet of any underground water line, sewer line, transmission line, or other utility. (Ord. 431, Sec. 1:3; Ord. 542, Sec. 8:9; Code 2015)

13-312.                PENALTIES.  Any person who violates 13-311 or sections (c) or (d) of 13-301 shall be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500). (Ord. 542, Sec. 18; Code 2015)