(1) Except for sidewalk projects required under sections 7.152 to 7.156 and for work authorized under sections 7.290 to 7.308, before commencing construction of any public improvement a person shall file with the city engineer a good and sufficient bond in an amount equal to the estimated cost of the improvement, guaranteeing to the city that the improvement shall in all ways comply with the plans and specifications approved by the city engineer and that the improvement will be installed using first-class material and in a first-class, professional manner under the direction of the city engineer, and that the improvement will be free from defects or need of repair for a period of at least one year from the completion of the improvement and that guarantees payment of any fees charged under section 7.130.

(2) In lieu of a bond, a financial guarantee as approved by the city engineer in an amount equal to 125% of the estimated cost of the improvement may be used to secure the construction permit and finance the construction a privately engineered public improvement. Twenty-five percent of the construction cost, or $25,000.00, whichever is more, shall be secured by the city prior to establishing the warranty period and retained in place throughout the warranty period.