Chapter 12.15
GRADES

Sections:

12.15.010    Establishment of grades.

12.15.020    Alteration of grade prohibited.

12.15.030    Regulation of underground utilities.

12.15.010 Establishment of grades.

(a) Grades to Be Established. The grade of all streets, alleys and sidewalks shall be established by resolution by the village board and the same recorded by the clerk in his office. No street, alley or sidewalk shall be worked until the grade thereof is established. In all cases where the grade of sidewalks shall not have been specifically set by ordinance the sidewalks shall be laid to the established grade of the street. All such grades heretofore established are hereby confirmed.

(b) New Sidewalk Grade. Whenever a street shall be improved for the first time or the grade thereof changed and the street improved so as to conform to the new grade, the grading of the sidewalk shall be considered a part of the improvement, shall be let by contract with the other work of improving such street, and the expense thereof shall be provided for and borne in all respects like that of improving the street, but the construction of the sidewalk shall be done by the owners of the abutting lots or parcels of land or at their expense as hereinafter provided. Before such construction is commenced by the owners of the abutting lots or parcels of land, the village board or its designee shall, upon application by the respective owners for a sidewalk grade, cause such sidewalk grade to be established. The cost of furnishing such grade shall be borne by the village. [Prior code § 4-1-1].

12.15.020 Alteration of grade prohibited.

No person shall alter the grade of any street, alley, sidewalk or public ground or any part thereof in the village by any means whatsoever unless authorized or instructed to do so by the village board or its authorized designee. All such alterations of grade shall be recorded in the office of the clerk. [Prior code § 4-1-2].

12.15.030 Regulation of underground utilities.

(a) Elevation. The grade or elevation of all underground construction shall be three feet below the established grade of the street, alley, park, public property, or easement. The three feet shall be measured between the top of the established grade and the top of the underground construction.

(b) Approval of Location. The location of any and all such underground construction must have the approval of the director of public works.

(c) Filing Plans. Complete plans for any such construction must be filed with and be approved by the director of public works before construction can be begun.

(d) Inspection. On request of the director of public works, the utility company must provide opportunity for him to check any construction before it may be covered.

(e) Conflict with Other Utilities. If the grade or elevation herein set for the underground construction of utilities shall, in any instance, conflict with other existing utilities, the utility shall be required to lower the elevation of its underground construction, or of the storm sewer, at the election of the director of public works and in accordance with his directions and specifications.

(f) Establishment of Grade. At the request of the utility company, the director of public works shall, at the village’s expense, give the utility company an established grade on any streets, alleys, public parks or easements where it proposes to install underground utilities.

(g) Emergency. In case of an emergency, when immediate action is necessary in order to protect life or property, the utility company may proceed with underground construction subject to obtaining the approval of such work by the director of public works as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible.

(h) Restoration of Surface. In the event of any such underground construction, the utility company shall leave the surface of the ground, or road, in the same condition as before said work was commenced, and in the event of its failure so to do, the village may proceed to place the surface of the ground or street in such condition at the utility company’s expense. Such work shall comply with the provisions of AMC 12.05.030 and 12.05.040.

(i) Nonrelief from Obligations. Compliance with this section does not relieve the utility company from any responsibility of any kind whatsoever by reason of the widening of the travelway, or any other improvements which may become necessary; nor does it relieve it from any liability of any kind or nature whatsoever. Compliance with this section shall not relieve the utility company from the responsibility or obligation of removing, relocating, or moving any of its mains, pipes, or property due to the opening, widening, or improving of streets, or due to any other changes which may occur by reason of which such moving, relocation, or removing may be necessary. [Prior code § 4-1-3].