West Des Moines, IA
Home MenuGovernment » Engineering Services
FAQs
Expand/Contract Questions and Answers
- There are two ways to request the installation of stop sign(s). You can either make the request by calling Public Works at 222-3480 or you can go online to the Service Desk and enter the request by selecting the Public Works department and selecting the issue “Traffic Control & Safety”.
- If the property owner(s) elect to have the City hired contractor perform the work, you can estimate $11.40 per square foot for 4" thick sidewalk and $12.00 per square foot for 6" thick sidewalk. This is a square foot estimated cost for removal and replacement of the sidewalk panels. These prices are subject to change year to year based on material costs and the current bidding climate.
- The City has a Sidewalk Improvement Program for several reasons with the most paramount being the safety of individuals walking in our community. In 1991 the City began this program with a staff member walking, each year, a different section of our community reviewing the need for, and condition of, both public and private sidewalks.
- Iowa law requires that notifications of this type be sent by regular mail but, over the years, the City has realized the benefit of having documentation that the proper notifications were provided.
- After the Public Hearing, and if the City Council formally approves this year’s Program, the City is then required to obtain bids from contractors to do the work with that process taking up to a month. The selected contractor will then start work on the project with their schedule being determined by a number of factors including the amount of work they may have, the number and location of the properties in our program and, of course, weather. Given the above, and the fact that the City, and the contractors we normally retain, do not want to cause a property owner undue hardship we will do our best to schedule construction around special or unique activities you may have planned over the next few months. If you have a particular concern or need, please contact Randy Cox of our Public Works Department at 222-3475.
- When the contractor has finished work on the entire project (not just on your property, but all of the properties in this year’s program) the City will send you a notification of the Final Assessed Amount. You can anticipate receiving that invoice during the first quarter of 2015. At that time you have thirty (30) days to decide to pay all, or a portion of, the amount due. If you pay the full amount the transaction is closed and nothing will appear on your future property tax records. If the amount is for $500 or more, you may prefer to have the special assessment(s) paid in ten (10) equal annual installments plus interest on the unpaid balance. To utilize this option you do not need to do anything; the County Treasurer will include the amount due on your future property tax statements. The property owner retains the right to pay the remaining principal at any time.
- All of the City’s annual Sidewalk Improvement Programs, to date, have reflected a nine percent (9%) interest rate.
What happens if I sell my property either before or after I receive the final bill for this project?
If you sell your property before the final bill is received it will be up to you and the buyer to determine the best method of handling the estimated amount due. If your property is sold after the final bill is received (and you decided to pay nothing on the amount due) it will again be up to you and the buyer to determine the best method of handling what remains to be paid.What number should I call to obtain a list of other property owners in the area who require sidewalk repair?
You should call Public Works at 222-3480 for a list of other property owners in your area that require sidewalk repair.- You can view the guide online or request a hard copy.
- The State Code of Iowa (Chapter 364.12 and 364.13) and City Code places on each property owner is the responsibility for repair and maintenance of sidewalks. More important, however, is the fact that courts have held property owners responsible for injuries when people have fallen on defective sidewalks.
- There may be, especially if the Contractor is doing other work in the area.
- Yes, the permit is available at the Department of Public Works, 560 S. 16th Street. The permit process notifies the City when the work is to be performed, by whom, and allows for inspection prior to pouring concrete for your protection. The permit fees have been waived for this project.
- If the tree that is causing the damage is in the public Right-of-Way, the City will remove the tree if it is dead or diseased, or trim the necessary tree roots. Please contact us as far in advance as you can, so we can properly schedule the work.
- No. All concrete used for sidewalk replacement must be a commercially produced IDOT Type C mix design.
- The sidewalk is to be 4” thick, except through drives where it is to be 6” thick and separated by 1/2” expansion on all sides but the street side where 1” of expansion is to be used.
- (Type D) Caulking or sealant is not permitted to repair cracks. Cracked sidewalks must be replaced.
- Patching material is not allowed for spawled sidewalks.
- Mud jacking is permitted for these repairs unless the area of repair is also cracked (Type D) or spawled (Type E), then it must be replaced. Raised sidewalks must be properly supported with stable suitable fill material. No grinding of Type A will be permitted.
- Any irrigation lines that are in the public right of way are subject to damage and are the responsibility of the homeowner to repair. These lines are not part of the Iowa One Call System and are often times in direct conflict with the necessary work.
- The enclosed Sidewalk Repair Survey Form and City Standards for Defective Sidewalks sheet show the work needed, the location of the work, and the specific reason for repair. Please call 222-3480 and ask for the Engineering Division - Construction Observation if you need assistance interpreting the work required on the sidewalk.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) produces the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) which are available on their website.
The required setback from the property line varies depending on the zoning of the property. Once you've determined the zoning, use City Code, Title 9: Zoning, Chapter 7: Setback and Bulk Regulations, Table 7.2: Minimum Setbacks (feet) for Single Family Detached Dwellings to determine setbacks.
If the your house is zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD), you will need to read the PUD ordinance specific to your property to determine if any special setbacks apply.
In all residential zoning districts, except Residential Estates, all accessory structures (all buildings not attached to the house) can not exceed 10% of the total lot area or no greater than 1000 square feet, whichever is more restrictive. There is no limit to the size of attached garages, however, they must follow the same setback requirements as the house.
- Go to the Police Department (250 Mills Civic Pkwy)
- Provide ID showing the vehicle is yours or you were the driver
- Ask for an impound release (no charge)
- Go to Roy's Towing (155 S 13th St, WDM)
- Pay Roy's Towing fees (towing/storage) and pick up your vehicle.
- If a City ticket has been issued, you can either pay at City Hall (4200 Mills Civic Pkwy) or pay online here.
- Depending on storm and road conditions, plows may make additional passes down your street. Adhere to the expiration date and time for the parking ban to avoid a ticket or tow.
- No. City ordinance prohibits this activity due to the hazardous conditions it can create in the street. Violators may be fined. See City Code Sections 7-1-4 and 7-1-5.
- When you consider the vast number of driveways and sidewalks throughout the City, it would be very expensive for taxpayers to provide type of service. While we try our best to minimize the amount of snow that is placed on these areas, it cannot always be avoided.
The concern for the safety of children is very important and is shared by highway and street officials. We often get requests from parents for "Children at Play" signs to be installed in their neighborhoods in the hopes the signs will encourage drivers to slow down and drive cautiously. Unfortunately, "Children at Play" signs may not be the best solution. Here's why:
Placing signs does not slow vehicles. The speeds people choose to drive along a roadway are generally determined by the roadway characteristics and environment, and by the level of comfort and safety the driver perceives. In this type of environment, a reduction in general vehicle speeds through the placement of a "Children at Play" or "Playground" sign should not be expected (especially when the hazard is not consistently clear to the driver).
Signs are used to warn of consistent, not occasional, conditions. Warning signs are effective when they warn drivers of consistent conditions. Because children are not likely to be consistently playing at a particular location in a neighborhood, "Children at Play" signs placed there could lose their effectiveness. Studies have shown that when signs are overused or indicate conditions that are not likely and consistent, driver start ignoring the signs.
Education and awareness are important. Even when "Children at Play" signs are used, it may not be a good idea to let your guard down or be lulled into a false sense of safety. Children can benefit from keeping in mind that the street is not a place to play and that not all drivers are necessarily watching out for them.