London City Council on Jan. 16 approved an amendment to the codified ordinances that adds specific standards for sidewalk condition and enforcement and debated contracting a private vendor to survey and grade every sidewalk in the city.

The council adopted Ordinance 212-24, which amends Section 660 of the codified ordinances to define sidewalk standards and the process by which the city will identify and require repairs. The ordinance passed on a recorded vote; the council then discussed Resolution 102-25, a request to appropriate money to enter a contract with StreetScan (and associated StreetLogic tools) for a data-driven sidewalk assessment and prioritization program. Councilors and staff spent substantial time debating how to pair an assessment with funding and an enforcement/assistance policy for property owners.

Why it matters: Council members said they do not currently know the scale or cost of sidewalk repair citywide. The proposed vendor assessment would map sidewalk panels, rate condition, and produce prioritized repair lists and estimated costs, which staff and councilors said they need before approving a multi-year repair program or potential property assessments.

What council adopted: Ordinance 212-24 (amending Section 660) was approved; the ordinance adds enforceable repair standards and a process for assessing and, where necessary, ordering repairs. Council discussed whether repairs paid for by the city would be assessed back to property owners or handled through a city assistance fund for low-income homeowners; staff said the assessment would be an option and that assessments would be collected on property tax rolls if not paid.

What the StreetScan proposal would do: Council members described the tool as producing a citywide inventory with photos, condition grades, and cost models so the city can set a budget and programmatic priorities. The vendor's software can also produce recommended annual repair lists based on a chosen budget and policy (for example, prioritize F-grade panels first).

Next steps and outstanding questions: Council did not vote to appropriate funds for the StreetScan contract during this meeting; members directed staff to return with clearer proposals for (a) who pays for repairs (city fund, owner assessment, grant/assistance for low-income households), (b) administrative steps for enforcement and notice periods, and (c) budget scenarios for phased repair programs. Several council members said they want rules for hardship waivers and multi-year assessment payment schedules if the city ultimately pays for repairs and collects through property taxes.

Ending: Councilors emphasized that the ordinance (adopted) is a first step toward a data-driven program; the assessment is intended to give the city the evidence it needs to make fair and predictable decisions.