Streets, Alleys, and Public Ways
Section 800 - Sidewalks
800.01 - Repair and maintenance of sidewalks
Subdivision 1
The owner of the property within the city abutting a public sidewalk must keep the sidewalk in repair and safe for pedestrians. The owner and occupant of such property must use diligence to remove snow, ice, dirt, or rubbish from the sidewalk. Snow and ice must be removed within 24 hours after a snow or sleet storm. Sidewalks must be kept free of debris, including the trimming of tree limbs. When there has been an excessive accumulation of snow as determined and declared by the Mayor and Street Commissioner of the City of Freeport, then property owners shall be excused from the 24 hour requirement for removal of snow for such a period of time as determined by the Mayor and Street Commissioner.
Subd. 2 - Main sidewalk routes
In the event there is an excessive accumulation of snow as determined and declared by the Mayor and City Street Commissioner of the City of Freeport, the City Street Department Employee shall be instructed to remove the excessive snow from the boulevards of certain sidewalks which are designated as “main sidewalk routes” so as to permit the property owners to reasonably maintain the sidewalks thereafter. The following are designated as “main sidewalk routs” in the City of Freeport.
- Main St. E. between 2nd Ave NE & 3rd Ave. NE north side.
- 2nd St. NE/NW between 3rd Ave. NW and 3rd Ave. NE north side.
- 1st Ave. N. between 2nd St. NE and 4th St. NW east side.
- 2nd Ave. NE between Main St. E and 2nd St. NE west side.
800.03 - Repairs by city
If the city council determines that a public sidewalk within the city is unsafe, the council may cause a notice to be served by certified mail or personal service upon the record owner of the property and the occupant, if the owner does not reside within the city or cannot be found therein, ordering the owner to have the sidewalk repaired and made safe within 30 days, and stating that if the owner fails to do so, the city will do so, and that the expenses thereof must be paid by the owner and that if unpaid, it will be made a special assessment against the property concerned. If the sidewalk is not repaired within 30 days after receipt of the notice, the maintenance engineer must report the facts to the council and the council may by resolution order the maintenance engineer to repair the sidewalk and make it safe or order the work be done by contract in accordance with the law. The maintenance engineer must keep a record of the total cost of the repair attributable to each lot or parcel of property and report such information to the city clerk-treasurer. The cost of the repairs will be assessed against the property in the manner provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 429.101.
800.05 - Construction of new sidewalks
Where new sidewalk is constructed in an entire block, the city will pay one-third of the entire cost of the project, provided the owners of abutting property pay the balance, and provided further that construction be completed pursuant to specifications approved by the city council.
800.07 - Repair of existing sidewalks
If the existing sidewalk of an entire block is in need of repair as determined by the city council, the city will pay one-third of the entire cost of repairing or reconstructing this sidewalk, provided the abutting property owners pay the balance, and provided further, that the repair and reconstruction be completed pursuant to specifications approved by the city council.
Section 805 - Street Building Numbering
805.01 - Sections
For the purpose of establishing a uniform system of names of streets, avenues, and public ways, the city is divided into four sections, NW, NE, SW, SE, with the dividing point being the intersection of C.S.A.H. 11 and County Rd. 157.
805.03 - Map
Subdivision 1
A map showing all the streets, avenues, and public ways as designated and names follows this subsection.
Subd. 2
If any part of this section conflict with the map and thereby raise a question of interpretation, or if any omission or apparent error is found the facts must be presented to the city council for its review and decision.
Subd. 3
Streets, avenues, or public ways, laid out and, or opened to public travel must be named in accordance with the system established by this section.
805.05 - Assignment of numbers
Subdivision 1
Properties or parcels of land within the corporate limits of the city must be identified by reference to the uniform numbering system described in this section.
Subd. 2
Numbers must be assigned to houses and buildings in a uniform manner.
Subd. 3
Each principal building must bear the number assigned to the frontage on which the front entrance is located. In case a principal building is occupied by more than one business or family dwelling unit, each separate front entrance of such principal building must bear a separate number.
Subd. 4
The city clerk-treasurer will issue any property owner, upon request, a number for each building or separate front entrance to the building. The numbers described herein do not mean physical numbers for attachment to a building. The property owner is responsible for obtaining suitable numbers for property identification.
805.07 - Numbers
Figures uses in numbering must be well formed, neat, legible, and permanent, not less than seven inches in height and easily legible from the street, where the structure is addressed from.
805.09 - Duty of city clerk
Subdivision 1
The clerk-treasurer is responsible for maintaining the numbering system, recording all numbers assigned on the street map and if necessary make changes in the existing numbering system to provide for a uniform method of numbering. Changes in existing numbers must be reported to the council at its regular council meeting. The council will consider such report, and accept or reject the same with such revisions and amendments as it deems necessary.
Subd. 2
A copy of this section has been filled in the office of the county recorder for Stearns County, Minnesota. A copy must be available for inspection by the public in the office of the city clerk-treasurer.
Section 810 - Protection Of Streets
810.01 - Burning
It is unlawful to burn any sweepings, trash, lumber, leaves, straw, paper, grass, or any combustible material upon any street in the city. It is unlawful to scatter any debris of any kind upon said streets and other non-surfaced streets. This section applies to any materials left upon streets caused by overloading of any truck or other vehicle.
810.03 - Tractors
Tractors or other vehicles with lugs thereon, or any other type of machinery that is not equipped with rubber tires are prohibited from using bituminous treated streets in the city and whoever drives such vehicle upon the streets whereby the streets are damaged, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
810.05 - Street openings; permit
It is unlawful to make an opening in any street or to disturb, in any way, the surface of any street, or to disturb, in any way, any portion of a street, without first receiving a permit from the city, except that where an emergency situation arises, such as a leak in a gas main, water pipe, or a matter of similar seriousness, and where the public safety requires immediate action, then work may be commenced immediately, but a permit must be obtained as soon after the accident as possible.
810.07 - Driveways
Subdivision 1 - Permit
It is unlawful for a property owner to develop or construct an access or driveway from property to any city street or roadway, without first securing a permit from the city. It is unlawful to break or open any curbing for driveway purposes, or use any part of a sidewalk for driveway purposes, without first securing a permit from the city.
Subd. 2 - Application
Application for a permit is filed with the clerk-treasurer, and must give the size and location of the proposed access or driveway, and describe the manner of restoration that will be made to any street, curb, or sidewalk, as a result of the proposed use or construction. The council may approve or reject the application and may give its approval with considerations attached also as to method of repair which must be followed, the size and location of the access. The council may require payment for any damage which may be anticipated, prior to the issuance of a permit.
810.09 - Metal tires
It is unlawful to move any vehicle on any bituminous surfaced street or roadway in the city, having any metal tire in contact with such street or roadway, except in the case of an emergency.
810.11 - Pulling vehicles or objects
It is unlawful to pull, drag, operate, or cause to be pulled, dragged on or over any bituminous surfaced street, within the city, any machine, sharp or narrow tired vehicle, trees, stumps, skids, or any object which does or is likely to cause damage to the surface of said street or roadway, or damage the same in any manner.
810.13 - Shod animals
It is unlawful to drive, lead, or cause to be driven, rode, or led, any shod horse, upon and over any bituminous surfaced street or roadway, in the city, when the hoofs of the animals are equipped with shoes or spikes.
810.15 - Joint liability
Any person violating any of the terms, requirements, and conditions of this section is liable for all damages which the street or roadway may sustain as a result of such violation; and in the event the driver and operator of such vehicle is not the owner thereof; but is operating, driving, or moving the same with the express or implied permission of the owner, the owner and driver will be jointly and severally liable for any such damage.
