For The Sidewalk LID; Against Reimbursement

Issue 1: Whether the City should create a sidewalk LID.

Facts: In October 2007, the previous Council voted to move ahead with the creation of a zone where homeowners would be required to install or repair sidewalks. Within this zone, homeowners could finance the costs of a sidewalk through the City for a number of years. This allowed homeowners to offset the financial burden. This zone is called an LID. Per the Council's recommendation, the City sent out a letter notifying homeowners of the City's intention to create an LID. The letter stated that homeowners could install sidewalks prior to the LID at a savings if done privately. Approximately 40 people installed or repaired their sidewalks in anticipation of the LID.

In January 2008, a new Council was seated. The new Council voted on whether or not to create the LID. The LID was amended three times and finally voted down. During these votes, I advocated for the 40 homeowners who had relied on an October 2007 letter from the City. My comments and support reflected these homeowners' reliance on the City's letter.

Conclusion: I supported the 2008 sidewalk LID.

Issue 2: Whether to reimburse homeowners who relied on creation of the LID.

Facts: After voting down the LID, it was proposed to reimburse the 40 homeowners who had installed sidewalks in reliance on the City's creation of an LID. I voted against this for three reasons:

1. It's legally questionable (can public monies be given to private homeowners by Idaho law?);
2. It is counter to our own ordinance of requiring homeowners to install and repair sidewalks (Sandpoint ordinance states that it is the homeowners responsibility to install and repair sidewalks); and;
3. It is practically very difficult to administer (how much do we reimburse?).

Conclusion: A harm has been done to the 40 homeowners who acted in reliance on the City but reimbursement is potentially a worse harm to the entire citizenry of Sandpoint. It forces the entire population of Sandpoint to pay for 40 sidewalks which by ordinance are the property owners' responibility. For these reasons, I voted against reimbursement.