The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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November 14, 2007

Advocate for disabled asks city to develop plans for accessibility

By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — The Baxter Springs City Council had no response to an advocate for people with disabilities who asked council members to develop a plan to bring city buildings into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Gwain January, with the Southeast Kansas Independent Living Resource Center, asked the council on Tuesday night to consider developing an ADA committee and an ADA transition plan.

He said buildings like the police station remain inaccessible to people with disabilities, though he said the city has made some accommodations for people who must attend city court in the building.

January said he would be willing to conduct an ADA survey of city buildings and property, at no cost to the city.

“I understand in small communities, money is always an issue,” January said. He said developing a plan would allow city officials to have projects in writing for which they could set aside money in the budget.

“ADA is the law,” January said. “It’s a federal law, and it’s a civil-rights law.”

He said taking the actions he recommended might help to ensure that the city could avoid future lawsuits.

The council took no immediate action.

In other business, the council:

n Approved a 15-year, lease-purchase agreement with American Bank for a cable television system reconstruction project in the amount of $1,463,900. The city’s interest rate is 6 percent.

In a related matter, the city bought $575,000 worth of equipment related to the rebuilding plan. The council also approved a contract with Tuttle Cable Services to do the work.

n Heard from Sharon Carpino, with the Crisis Resource Center, about a police response advocacy project that is starting in Cherokee County. The project, funded by a U.S. Justice Department grant, will allow victim advocates to respond to crime scenes. The program already is in place in Crawford County. Councilman Larry Warner volunteered to be part of a task force for the project.

n Approved an agreement to deed the former city hospital property to the Baxter Springs School District for $1. The school district, in turn, would pay the city $5,000 per lot when each house built by the district is sold.

n Paid bills and payroll totaling $137,083.

Attendance, next meeting: Mayor Huey York, and council members Warner, Ron Steele, Cory Moates, Lori Wren, Gary Allen, and Mike Kaufmann were present. Ed McAfee and Ron Costlow were absent. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27.

City Hall: (620) 856-2114.





Past lawsuit



The Southeast Kansas Independent Living Resource Center in the past has sued the city of Columbus over accessibility of its buildings and property. Part of the city’s settlement required that the city develop an ADA committee and a transition plan.

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