City may stop practice of removing carriage walks

Findlay City Council's Street, Sidewalks and Parking Committee may reverse its recommendation on carriage walks, but there's been no decision yet. Finding a way to keep the walks without creating a liability for the city is the biggest hurdle. In October, the committee recommended removing all carriage walks "when disrupted by construction in the right-of-way no matter if parking is allowed or not because of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)." Council members were split on the issue, voting 5-4 to accept the committee report. Palmer and the city's three at-large councilmen, Grant Russel, Jeff Wobser, and then Tom Shindledecker, all voted against accepting the report. Councilman Jim Slough, R-4, was absent from that meeting. Russel had encouraged that legislation governing the walks be created, but nothing was introduced to council. However, the city has made it a practice over the past year to remove all carriage walks during street improvements. The committee met Monday to revisit the issue. Councilman Josh Palmer, R-7, chairs the committee. Other committee members include Holly Frische, R-1, and Jim Niemeyer, R-6. On Monday, committee members asked city administrators and Law Director Donald Rasmussen to research the issue further and determine if there is case law on the walks or if other cities have been sued for accidents involving the walks. A new city policy could also clearly state that Findlay's carriage walks are not intended for use as sidewalks, Frische suggested. Eight city residents attended the meeting, including councilman Russel. The issue was back on Findlay Council's agenda during its regular meeting Aug. 16. The agenda included a letter from Christopher and Cathy Strzempka, of 205 E. Lima St., dated Aug. 3. The Strzempkas asked the council to revisit the city's policy of removing the walks during street improvements. They wanted to keep their carriage walk, but the walks have already been removed as part of the improvements to Lima Street after the replacement of the gas lines along the street by Columbia Gas. The walkways, which provide a connection from sidewalks, across the tree lawn to the curb, are located in the city's right-of-way. Carriage walks, also known as "courtesy walks," date back to the days of horse and buggy, giving carriage passengers a safe place to step down. As modern streets handle more traffic, however, city officials say they pose a safety concern by providing a "walkway" right into busy streets. Most older neighborhoods still have carriage walks, but as the city updates streets, sidewalks and curbs, they are being removed due to safety concerns. Council has received complaints from other residents who want to keep the walks. Many are now used as a clear passage to get trash cans to the curb. Delivery people use them for sure footing stepping out of their vehicles, and Palmer said even EMS workers say the walks help in response calls. It's been a year now, since John "Jack" Ramsey, of 229 Madison Ave., first raised the issue. He complained about the city not replacing his carriage walk after completing a sewer replacement project on the street. Ramsey said there was nothing wrong with the sidewalk that was originally installed by his grandfather. His grandparents bought the home brand new in 1925. The carriage walks have been completely removed from Madison Avenue; however, one homeowner has constructed a makeshift walk with cement pavers. The committee is scheduled to meet again to discuss the walks at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Findlay Municipal Building, 318 Dorney Plaza. Council will then meet in regular session at 7 p.m. Grant: 419-427-8412