April 22, 2008 08:10 pm
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By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — The Baxter Springs Americans with Disabilities Act Committee, in its first meeting on Tuesday, reviewed a survey of city-owned buildings and properties to determine what projects could be tackled this year.
Gwain January, with the Southeast Kansas Independent Living Resource Center, last month presented the survey he conducted to the City Council. He said at the time that council members appeared willing to cooperate in bringing city buildings and properties into compliance with the federal law.
Council members Ron Costlow, Ron Steele and Lori Wren compose the newly formed city ADA Committee. Wren was absent Tuesday. Mayor Huey York led the meeting in his office at City Hall.
York and committee members went through January’s survey, discussing the items one at a time. Committee members agreed that the police station is the most inaccessible building to people with disabilities, and that until the city can afford to replace it, some provisions could be made. York said a curb ramp is needed at the corner of Park and 11th streets. He said an intercom could be placed outside the front entrance for people who need assistance.
The City Council chamber at City Hall serves as an alternative site for city court, which normally is held in the police building. Steele suggested that city court might be moved to City Hall permanently.
“We’ll have to replace the (police) building,” Costlow said is the long-term plan.
At Riverside Park West, York said, a few of the concrete picnic tables that aren’t accessible should be replaced with accessible tables.
An accessible portable restroom also could be placed in the park, he said.
City Hall requires a curb ramp and a van-accessible parking spot, York said.
Costlow said a graded ramp is needed for disabled people to get from one level of the library to another, but there is no money in the current budget for such an addition.
York said an asphalt path is needed at Kiwanis Park. New, accessible restrooms also will be needed, but he said there also is no money in the current budget for that expense.
“We can get that in compliance, with the exception of the restrooms,” York said.
The committee also addressed the Community Building. The survey noted a lack of knee space under the kitchen sink for people in wheelchairs.
A ramp is needed inside the swimming pool, and a wheelchair lift also should be a future project, committee members said.
The committee was to report on its meeting to the City Council on Tuesday night.
“We can make a lot of progress on that this year,” York said. “Let’s put a budget on it.”
He said the committee would determine what projects can be accomplished under the current budget and what projects should be included in next year’s budget.
January’s letter to the council last month said installing curb ramps downtown should be considered a priority by the city, but the committee didn’t address that.
Ballpark excluded
The Southeast Kansas Independent Living Resource Center noted in its survey of Baxter Springs city buildings and property information on the Little League ballpark. Committee members said it is owned by the Little League and is not the city’s responsibility.
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