The council shall also have authority to require the owners and occupants of lots and premises to build, rebuild and maintain sidewalks in the public streets adjacent to and abutting upon such lots and premises and to keep them in repair at all times, and to construct and lay the same upon such lines and grades, and of such width, materials and manner of construction, and within such time as the council shall by ordinance or resolution prescribe, the expense thereof to be paid by such owner or occupant; or the council may, by a 2/3 vote of all the aldermen elect pay such part of the expense of building or rebuilding such walk as they may deem proper from the general street fund, or from the street district fund of any street district in which such walk may be located.