DE HB452

Amends Section 5-400 of the City of Wilmington's Charter to authorize City Council to determine by ordinance whether and to what extent the duty to design, construct, repair, and maintain city alleys, footways, and sidewalks may be delegated to responsible parties.

Authorizes City Council to determine by ordinance whether and to what extent responsible parties have the duty to remove and dispose of snow or ice from city sidewalks.

Responds to Delaware Supreme Court decisions in Schadt v. Latchford and Lemos v. Willis, which held that decisions to transfer sidewalk maintenance responsibility to private landowners must be made by Wilmington voters or the General Assembly through a properly enacted charter amendment.

Requires a two-thirds majority of all members elected to each house of the General Assembly to pass this measure.