Special Board of Aldermen 12-07-2021 Page 22
those funds could use for. As | said, | don't have the balances of those own accounts with me tonight. But it's not a
significant amount of money and it is something that we will continue to use and could be used towards that type of
work.
Laurie Ortolano
Thank you.
Chairman Dowd
Anyone else testimony in favor? Seeing none. Testimony in opposition. Seeing no one, other testimony in favor?
TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION - None
TESTIMONY IN FAVOR
Laurie Ortolano
Yes. Laurie Ortolano. How will it be determined what sidewalks are going to be addressed? Is there an existing
sidewalk plan in place that you are working off of to do improvements throughout the city?
Dan Hudson, City Engineer
So to my knowledge, no. | mean there are specific issues that the Attorney General's Office is asking us to address
that have come to light relative to complaints we received. So Mr. Cummings will be up to speak about Riverwalk
later and that will address some of those issues. But no this is something that we need to do. The city needs to
develop a comprehensive plan and that's what part of this money will be used for but there are no shortage of areas
needing repair. | can go out and find you a dozen in a few minutes. So this funding will be helpful. It's something that
we certainly want and need to focus more on is going forward.
Chairman Dowd
Okay. All set?
Laurie Ortolano
Yes.
Chairman Dowd
This is testimony in favor.
Alex Comeau
Thank you Mr. Chair. Alex Comeau, 4 Lewis Street. | guess I’m undecided at the moment. | have a couple of
questions for Mr. Hudson if that’s all right. Forgive my ignorance but is there currently an amount already budgeted
for improvements in the design and construction of sidewalks? If there is, are you projecting a shortfall for that
amount that would make this expenditure from the bond proceeds necessary? Lastly is your department going to be
taking suggestions from neighborhoods for sidewalk projects that are necessary (inaudible)?
Dan Hudson, City Engineer
Sure. So there's a lot there. We're happy to take suggestions if people have issues with mobility and accessing
sidewalks. We're happy to take those complaints. The city also has an ADA coordinator who can be a point person
for those complaints as well. There's a lot of work that needs to be done and sidewalks is one area that we really don't
have a dedicated funding source for so to speak other than those contributions. We do make some repairs each year
through our Street Department and that's through some of the infrastructure funding that's provided in the budget for
the Street Department. But no comprehensive regular plan is in place and that's something that | think the city
eventually we need to get to there. But we need to do some work ahead of that. We need to do, like | said, an
extensive inventory and (inaudible) prioritize where money is best directed to have the maximum benefit. Then we
