01-02-2001 - Blue Ribbon Committee to Address ADA RegulationsMemorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. L-1
DATE 1102101
TO: Daniel G. Hobbs, City Manager and City Council
FROM: Artie Fields, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS ADA REGULATIONS
SUMMARY: Mayor Steve Herfert is recommending the establishment of a Blue
Ribbon Citizen Committee to review the City's compliance with ADA
(Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations.
The City Council ADA Subcommittee met on October 23, 2000 to discuss the City's compliance
with the ADA regulations. During the meeting, the following items were discussed:
1. City Attorney provided the Subcommittee with an opinion and explanation of the City's role
regarding ADA compliance.
2. City staff distributed a memo regarding the City's past and present ADA compliance efforts.
3. The Subcommittee discussed the sign language services for City Council meetings. As a
result, the Subcommittee directed staff to prepare a draft RFP to hire a new sign language
firm that would require less advance notification for service.
4. The Subcommittee discussed the idea of getting the City Council Agenda out earlier in the
week; however, this alternative was not pursued due to organizational constraints.
Mayor Herfert and several members of City staff met with representatives from the Disability
Mediation Center on October 3 V to discuss the ADA requirements and its impact on; the City.
The City expressed an interest in receiving guidance from the Disability Mediation Center
relative to ADA, as it applies to obligations of the City as well as rights of individuals. The City
was clear in its desire to understand and comply with all facets of the ADA, not just the
component involving sign language. The Disability Mediation Center representatives clarified
that the City needs to provide reasonable accommodation to the requests it receives and also
stated that the onus is on the citizen to request services of the City.
Information was freely exchanged throughout the meeting and Mayor Herfert stressed his desire
to report back to the City Council on the following agreed upon steps to be taken by the City:
1. Carol Fox, Director of Personnel and Risk Management, has been temporarily assigned as
ADA Coordinator for the City.
2. The City Council Agenda/Packet will be available by 4:00 p.m. on the Friday afternoon
preceding the Tuesday evening Council meeting.
3. Citizens requiring sign language interpreter services must request the service no later than
4:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the Tuesday evening Council meeting.
4. The City sent out an RFP for sign language interpreter services on a one-year basis and it is
anticipated that a recommendation will made to hire a firm by the second meeting in
February.
City Council Meeting
January 2, 2001
DISCUSSION:
Blue Ribbon Citizen Committee
Staff report
At the December 12, 2000 City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Herfert reported on the
discussions of the City Council ADA Subcommittee. At the conclusion of his remarks he stated
his interest in establishing a Blue Ribbon Citizen Committee to review the City's compliance
with ADA regulations. Volunteers will be asked to report back their findings to the City
Council 90 days after their first meeting.
In order to recruit members of the community for the Blue Ribbon ADA Committee, Mayor
Herfert has requested that the City Manager's Office develop an application process and
advertise the need for volunteers. To this end, the City Clerk has amended the City's
commission application form in order that it may be used for volunteers wishing to serve on the
Blue Ribbon Committee. In addition, staff will advertise the need for volunteers in the Tribune
and on the City's Cork Board.
The Assistant City Manager, Personnel and Risk Management Director, Senior Building' Official
and the Public Works Project Supervisor will provide staff support to the committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The staffing cost associated with this project will be absorbed in the current budget. It is
estimated that it will cost under $1,000 to staff the Blue Ribbon Committee for five hours over
the 90-day period for which the committee has been established.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council consider Mayor Herfert's request to establish a Blue
Ribbon Citizen Committee for ADA regulations.
Artie Fields
Assistant City Manager
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