City Council Meeting Date: March 5, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Sean M. Simonson, Engineering Manager
Title
Consider Motion Approving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan for Public Right-of-Way.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council adopts a Motion Approving the ADA Transition Plan for public right-of-way under the jurisdiction of the City of Northfield.
Summary Report:
As is required by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA ), City staff has completed the attached ADA Transition Plan for public right-of-way under the jurisdiction of the City. The Transition Plan has been created to specifically cover accessibility within the public rights of way and does not include information on City programs, practices, or building facilities not related to public rights of way. An ADA Transition Plan is also required as a condition for any future federal grant funds that the City may receive. Staff held an open comment period to discuss the plan from August 9, 2018 - August 23, 2018. Staff received one comment regarding the draft plan during that open comment period.
One of the requirements of the plan was to perform a self-evaluation of the City’s current transportation infrastructure policies, practices, and programs. The goal of the self-evaluation was to verify that, in implementing the policies and practices, the City is providing accessibility and not adversely affecting the full participation of individuals with disabilities. A large part of the self-evaluation process was to examine the condition and accessibility of the curb ramps that are located within the City’s public right-of-way. City Staff inventoried 1592 curb ramps located within the City of Northfield’s jurisdiction. Of those curb ramps, 22% were found to be compliant. Additionally, of the 63.66 miles of sidewalk, 42% were considered compliant with cross slopes under 2%. Staff will be completing the self-evaluation on the trails system and bus stops during the summer of 2019, and will update the report once that data is collected.
Going forward, City staff will use the ADA plan to help identify future project areas to include in the City’s CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) process. A goal included in the ADA plan is to have 50% of the pedestrian features within the public right-of-way to be ADA compliant within 20-years.
Alternative Options:
None at this time.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
Staff will continue to implement ADA upgrades with all CIP projects.