City hones focus on buckled sidewalks, unsafe roads near schools

Hollister officials last week took two steps in what Mayor Ignacio Velazquez referred to as part of efforts to address infrastructure needs in the city.

City officials launched a sidewalk repair program that involves low-interest loans to fix buckling walkways and other issues throughout the city, which maintains a priority list with thousands of needed sidewalk repairs. The council at the same meeting heard a presentation about a Complete Streets draft plan to address safety and walkability needs, when funding becomes available, for key thoroughfares that include Nash, Tres Pinos and Sunnyslope roads, along with McCray Street.

The sidewalk program discussion, though, incited the most interest from council members who often hear from their constituents about repairs needed to walkways and roads. The council unanimously approved allocating $100,000 toward a sidewalk repair program. Residents can obtain deferred loans at a 2 percent interest rate for up to $10,000 in order to fix sidewalks, repairs of which are the responsibility of homeowners.

Previously, the city would respond when it could and do some repairs, such as grinding, to problematic sidewalks, according to City Manager Bill Avera. With the sidewalk repair program, the city expects to wean residents away from getting assistance from the city with sidewalks in disrepair, within six to seven years.

Councilman Victor Gomez called it a good idea as a transition mechanism.

Eventually this is something that we're going to have to tackle and be proactive on, Gomez said. Eventually we're going to have to get to the point where if somebody's sidewalk is in disrepair, we get on top of it.

The mayor called the sidewalk program part of the beginning to some of the infrastructure needs we have throughout the city.

Velazquez said he had gone out looking at sidewalks with a city engineering official.

Some of these look more like steps, Velazquez said.

As for the other infrastructure matter on the agenda, officials heard a presentation on the so-called Complete Streets Plan overseen by the planning department. Residents were involved with workshops that helped to formulate the draft plan.

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City hones focus on buckled sidewalks, unsafe roads near schools