HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-03/14/2016COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 14, 2016
4:30 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Jacobs, Jones arrived at 4:33 p.m, Schmitt, Lind, Morrissey, -Welper, and
Amos.
Absent: Jacobs and Schmitt.
Moved by Welper seconded by Morrissey that the Agenda, as`proposed, be approved.
Objective: Discuss bus benches.
Chris Wendland, City Attorney's Office, provided an overview of a settlement agreement .with
the United States Department of Justice regarding bus benches. Though the benches are not
owned by the City of Waterloo, the Federal Government is requiring the city to conform to ADA
requirements. The Department of Justice is stating that the settlement agreement must be
completed by the end of March 2016. The agreement does not require a repair schedule or that
the city have a particular number of benches available for citizens. The agreement does
stipulates that the bus ,benches must be ADA compliant. This means that the benches need clear
path of travel to the bench, must be maintained, have adequate snow removal and`maintenance,
and have paved space for wheel chairs.
Mr. Lind questioned if all benches could be removed and if landowners can be responsible for -
maintaining the bench.
Chris. Wendland explained that landowners could be responsible for the benches but a program
needs to be put into place to stipulate which city department will be responsible for maintaining
the space should the landowner not follow through.
Mr. Morrissey questioned what action council needs to take in order to meet the deadline
Chris Wendland explained that the council needs to approve the agreement by the end of March.
Mr. Welper questioned and if Cedar Falls has pulled out most of their bus benches
Chris Wendland explained that Waterloo could reduce .. the number of bus benches to control
costs of bringing them into compliance.
Craig Clark, Building Official, noted that the agreement would be on the council agenda for next
week.
Craig Clark provided an overview of how the city will implement a plan to make bus' benches
ADA compliant.
Mayor Hart questioned the cost of implementing changes to the bus benches.
Craig Clark explained the cost of making bus benches ADA compliant. He explained that each
bench will need new curb cuts, forward approach, to connect to a sidewalk, and have a five-foot
turning radius for wheel chairs.
Mr. Welper questioned how snow removal would be undertaken for the bus benches.
Craig Clark explained that a solution to the snow removal problem would be worked into an
ordinance and brought before council for a vote. He further explained that the city would have to
reduce the total number of bus" benches,to approximately 50.
Mr. Lind questioned and Craig Clark confirmed that the state would pay for bus benches on state
highways.
Mr. Morrissey questioned how many of the 130 bus benches have advertisements, who owns the
benches, and who receives the advertisement revenue.
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Craig explained that the bus bench companies own the benches and receive revenue for the
advertisement.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Welper seconded by Morrissey
'that the meeting be adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.
Kelley Fel le
Deputy City Clerk