Almost two months after city leaders discussed whether the city or property owners are responsible for repairing sidewalks, a disabled man requested for assistance due to fears of having an accident.
Errick Minnifield, of 127 Calhoun Ave., appeared before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday afternoon with photographs and estimates to repair the sidewalk in front of his home.
“I was coming before you to ask about getting the sidewalk fixed,” Minnifield said. “I do my therapy by walking up and down the sidewalk. There are several cracks in the sidewalk. I just don’t want to take a chance of falling on the sidewalks. I was asking if you could give me some kind of assistance in fixing this sidewalk.”
The board took no action on Minnifield’s request, but it was a topic that led to disagreements among board members in early July.
Mayor Diane Delaware brought it to the board’s attention that the city ordinances state that sidewalk repairs must be made by the property owners at their expense.
“Our ordinances indicate that sidewalks are to be cared for by citizens,” she said, during the July meeting. “Sidewalks are to be repaired by citizens, not the city of Yazoo City.”
Delaware was referring to Section 18-34 of the city ordinance that states “it shall be the duty of all owners of lots or pieces of ground fronting or abutting any street, alley or line of railroad in the city, to construct, lay and relay, or repair the sidewalks or pavements in front of such lots or pieces of ground, whenever notified by the city so to do, in the manner hereinafter directed.”
Delaware also said the city cannot repair sidewalks unless the city council changes its ordinance.
