Item 4E AudioHello Mayor and Members of the City Council. This is Alison Ortowski
presenting Item 4e: Resolution No. 09-071, Authorizing the creation of a
Sidewalk Partnership Program.
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Citizen surveys consistently reveal that trails and sidewalks are highly
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desired by Southlake residents;
In fact, residents have named trails and sidewalks as their top need;
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They expect trails and sidewalks to be accessible from their
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neighborhood to local areas such as parks schools and shopping;
Over the past several years, the city has made significant investments
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in pathway design and construction;
As we move forward –want to work more closely with community to
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implement our Master Pathway Plan.
•Over the next few slides, I will explain the details of the program listed
on this slide as well as the program procedure.
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Notes ~
As noted on this slide, the purpose of this program is “To provide
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guidelines…”
Given the citizens’ desire for trails and sidewalks, the program idea
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would seem like a good idea, but we always have to start with the
questions, “How does this align with Council’s approved Strategy?”
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Notes ~
As you can see by the highlighted boxes on the Strategy
Map, this idea addresses several key items. Working with
property owners to implement our Pathways Plan, we will
not only be able to provide needed and wanted
infrastructure, we will also be able to work with the
community as partners to get the job done.
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Property owners who voluntarily convey easement(s) for the purpose of building
pathway segments identified in the City of Southlake’s annual pathway construction
priority plan and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) shall be eligible for the recognition
offered through the Sidewalk Partnership Program. The City of Southlake will not
pursue easements for pathway segments for which there are no immediate plans for
construction or allocated funding.
Additionally, property owners who are requiredto convey needed right-of-way or
easements due to development regulations are not eligible to participate in or receive
the benefits from the program.
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Once the pathway construction priority plan is adopted by the City Council and funds
are allocated for construction, staff will identify needed easements for the selected
segments. A standard packet of information will be mailed to each property owner
which will, at a minimum, include a description of the Sidewalk Partnership Program
and its benefits, a description of the needed easement, the paperwork to be completed
for conveyance, and a contact name at the City. Resolution No. 09-071 -Attachment A
includes a representative sample of the items to be included in the notification packet.
The packet will also include a copy of the “Property Owners Bill of Rights” (Resolution
No. 09-071 -Attachment B).
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Property owners who donate easements under this program will be publicly recognized
for their contribution. The City Manager shall develop a standard operating procedure
outlining the method for properly recognizing property owners. Recognition levels and
benefits are defined by the size of the donated property, but may include
“advertisement” recognition as well as personalized recognition, such as pavers
embedded in the walkway built on the donated easement, signage, or other
recognition as may be deemed appropriate by the City Manager.
Donations to the City of Southlake under the Sidewalk Partnership Program are
currently tax deductible. Upon closing the transaction, the City will provide the donor
with a receipt for the gift and a letter opinion from the Internal Revenue Service
(Attachment C) as long as the deduction remains in effect.
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If the City of Southlake does not receive a response from the property owner within 30
days of the issuance of the notice, a copy of this notification shall be provided to citizen
volunteers who wish to promote the construction of pathways in the City of Southlake.
These volunteers may then contact the property owner to promote the program in
conformance with guidelines established within the program standard operating
procedure.
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Notes ~
This slide show how the program would work graphically.
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First, Council establishes sidewalk and trail segments to be build during the fiscal year each
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December. These priorities form the basis of the program because these are the areas
where easements will be needed and sidewalk construction is eminent.
Once priority segments are approved, needed easements will be identified.
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Information packets will be sent to property owners with a description of the needed
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property, a description of the needed easement(s), required paperwork for conveyance
and contact information.
If the city does not received a response from the property owner after 30 days, citizen
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volunteers will follow-up with the property owner to promote the program within policy
guidelines.
When the property owner agrees to convey, the City will handle the paperwork and costs
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to effect the conveyance.
Once the conveyance is completed, the property owner will be recognized per the terms of
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the policy and provided with the necessary paperwork for tax deduction purposes.
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Notes ~
This concludes my presentation.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 817-748-
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8261.
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