TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Susan Goebel-Canning, Director Public Works
THROUGH: Mark R. Lauzier, City Manager
DATE: Enter Agenda Date - Month, Day, Year
Title
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES (ADA) SELF EVALUATION AND TRANSITION PLAN: PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Provide comment regarding implementation of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
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Background:
The City of Delray Beach (City) Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2008 included a Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project to review the City's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (28 CFR 35). Extensive changes in the Act were the driver for the ADA policies in the adopted Comprehensive Plan. The CIP project budget was estimated at $253,000 and scheduled for FY 2011 - 2012, but was not accomplished at that time. Funding for the project was again requested in 2015 to address ongoing concerns about ADA compliance raised by the public regarding numerous facilities and transportation infrastructure. The Public Works Department received $200,000 for the ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan project in the mid-year budget amendment for FY 2015 -2016. The Self Evaluation is required of all public entities under the Act and is considered the foundation for the Transition Plan. Mandated by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (49 CFR 27) Transition Plans, are required for agencies with 50 plus employees. The Transition Plan is a living document; an evolving planning and monitoring tool.
The City maintains 166 miles of sidewalks and other facilities that are provided for public use to enhance the quality of life in Delray Beach. As required by the Federal ADA and State requirements, it is incumbent upon the City to ensure that all City facilities, including sidewalks and roadway transitions, are safe and accessible to all citizens, including those with disabilities that may affect his or her mobility.
The City Commission approved a Service Authorization on September 20, 2016 with Kimley Horn and Associates to complete an ADA Self Evaluation. The consultant worked with City staff to establish an ADA Liaison Committee that met throughout this process and beyond the end of the project to continuously evaluate City compliance with ADA requirements and make recommendations for corrections if necessary. In the initial Self Evaluation process, approximately 36 miles of sidewalks and more than 1,000 curb ramps at unsignalized intersections and driveways were evaluated. Additionally, a report for each type of facility inside the City was created that identified the compliance status of the facility with regard to both Federal and State standards including a prioritized list of recommended actions to remedy any non-compliance issues, a cost report to facilitate budgeting for any potential Capital improvements and a recommended implementation schedule. A GIS catalog of existing facilities was provided for future inclusion in the City's GIS database.
The consultant prepared the ADA Transition Plan which provides the City with a road map for moving forward with future projects that are in compliance with ADA requirements and a review of current City design standards. The construction cost estimate of the recommended improvements to sidewalks, railroad crossings and unsignalized intersections totaled approximately $11,000,000. Ongoing budget requirements for ADA modifications and potential funding sources were researched and recommended to effectively achieve compliance. The Transition Plan defines the role of an ADA Coordinator for the City and recommends creation of an ADA Liaison Committee. The plan also outlines the definition and development of an ADA grievance policy, procedure and complaint form.
This presentation will present the ADA Transition Plan’s goals, objectives, findings and recommendations.
City Attorney Review:
N/A
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
N/A for the presentation. Upon approval of the transition plan, funding is available to commence ADA improvements at priority areas within the City.
Timing of Request:
N/A for the presentation.