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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.27.2000• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 27, 2000 4:45 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Getty, Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Berry. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Berry that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The Residential Handicap Parking policy was reviewed. Lou Cutwright, Building Official, stated that at a September 1997 A.D.A. Commission an individual in the disabled community brought before the commission a need for handicap parking in residential areas for persons who did not have access to their homes because no handicap parking was available. Mike Mrzlak, Superintendent of Traffic Operations, conducted a survey of cities in Iowa that provide this type of service for the disabled. Of those that replied, one-half did have a policy. A residential handicap policy was developed and reviewed and approved by the A.D.A. Commission and Police Chief. A council work session was held on December 15, 1997 to review the policy and a resolution was adopted by council on January 20, 1998 approving the policy. Mr. Cutwright stated that one of the concerns of the council at the time of the adoption of the policy was that it would cause a massive run on handicap parking, and it has not. Mr. Cutwright stated that only three signs have been approved since the program started, and only two remain. Mr. Cutwright stated that persons must make application, meet qualifications and have a valid handicap sticker issued by the state. Mr. Cutwright stated that all applicants are made aware that the parking stall is a "general handicap stall", and that any person with a handicap sticker can park in the stall. Mr. Cutwright stated that the policy was brought to the council's attention this time because a resident complained about a sign recently installed at 931 Byron Avenue. Mr. Cutwright commented that the sign is located on a corner lot, the applicant is an elderly lady with a garage located 75 feet behind the house, and the sign will allow easier access to her home. Mr. Cutwright stated that he and Mike Mrzlak reviewed the area and feel the sign will not cause a hardship in the neighborhood. Mr. Cutwright stated that the No Parking Between Signs located in the 200 block of Cutler Street was in place long before the policy was established. Councilperson Anders stated that the sign in the 200 block of Cutler Street was in effect before this council took office and was grandfathered in along with this policy. Councilperson Anders asked for a consensus of the council as to whether to leave the sign in the 200 block of Cutler Street and have the City Clerk draft a letter to the lady who submitted the petition to remove the sign that the council has chosen not to remove the sign. Mr. Mrzlak stated that the block is pretty full, but there are a couple of parking spaces, and it is his recommendation to leave the sign in the 200 block of Cutler Street in place. Councilperson Jordan stated that he agrees with Councilperson Anders along with Mr. Mrzlak's recommendation. Councilperson Getty stated that what bothers him is that the city is going to have a lot of people ask for a handicap stall. Councilperson Getty stated that a woman from the IDOT told him that there are a lot of cars driving around with stolen handicap stickers. Councilperson Getty stated that he is in favor of handicap parking, but he is not in favor of handicap parking in residential areas. Councilperson Jordan stated that when the policy was adopted the council felt that if Mr. Cutwright and Mr. Mrzlak recommended approval of the handicap stall, the council would Council Work Session March 27, 2000 Page 2 support their recommendation so that the council would not have to review and approve every application. Mr. Cutwright stated that following the guidelines and interviewing the applicants, they have not found the residential handicap parking to be a problem, and it does benefit the disabled community. Councilperson Krizek stated that the policy provides a mechanism for someone with a disability to have an easier life. Councilperson Krizek stated that the council struggled with the policy when it was developed, but she would like to leave the policy as is, and she feels it is a good policy. Councilperson Anders stated that he feels the policy is good, but that after the A.D.A. Commission approves the application, he would like the application to be referred to the Public Works Committee for their approval. Councilperson Krizek stated that she did not feel it was necessary to bring the applications to the Public Works Committee, but that a written notification of the application be sent to the council. Councilperson Getty stated that he feels that the applications need to be sent to the Public Works Committee for review and approval. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Murphy to go forward with the Residential Handicap Parking Policy, but each application be brought to the Public Works Committee for review and approval. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Murphy, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 5:12 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •