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INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7799
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 8, 1994
Subject ADA Status Update
Requirements of the Law
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a broad
federal civil rights law enforced by the Department of Justice and
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) . It mandates
that cities make their programs, policies and employment practices
accessible to people with disabilities by addressing structural and
communication barriers.
The City Council approved the federally mandated City of Fort Worth
Transition Plan, addressing structural changes on July 21, 1992,
and the Self Evaluation Plan, addressing policy, employment and
communication areas, by the regulatory deadline of January 26,
1993. The law requires all structural changes be completed by
January 26, 1995.
Citizen Involvement
The City's approach to establishing and implementing both the
Transition Plan and Self Evaluation Plan has taken advantage of the
vast amount of interest and expertise of the disability community
or and the agencies which serve it. Citizen involvement has included:
training our employees who performed the initial facility surveys;
assisting in the surveys and performing quality checks; and
participating in at least monthly meetings with staff to implement
the Transition Plan4 Citizen volunteers also have helped train
staff and have participated in focus groups.
Accomplishments to Date
When the City Council approved the Transition Plan in July 1992,
$1,000,000 was set aside to begin implementation. A total of
$3,000,000 was estimated for full compliance. The initial
$1,000,000 has been spent, encumbered, or committed as indicated in
the attached ADA budget summary. Work completed or in process
*300 curb cuts installed; an additional 128 are in the
contract approval process
*98 city parking lots restriped and signed for accessibility
*26 restrooms renovated in 13 buildings
*1,062 ADA format engraved signs and 272 aluminum parking lot
signs produced and installed
*29 TTY/TDD's (text telephone for the deaf and speech
impaired) purchased; 9 of these are public pay TDD/TTY's
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH.TEXAS
'INF6RMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7799
V To the Mayor and Members of the City CouncIl February 8, 1994
Subject: ADA Status Update Page 2 of 4
*A braille embosser was purchased and placed in the Word
Processing Division for city wide use; $138,000 of high and
low tech equipment (i.e. Computer Dynix upgrade, Closed
Caption decoders, magnifying glasses, bookstands,
adjustable tables, etc. ) for the Library Dept. is in the
purchase process
*The Public Safety Building (PSB) has a new stair
lift(estimated to .cost $20,000) in the bid process; the
second floor courtroom is now accessible; the concrete
driveway at the back of the PSB has been replaced
*1, 790 City employees trained in the ADA and disability
awareness
Work Still to be Completed
Facility improvement work to be done in the remaining year of the
Transition Plan is estimated to cost $1,200,000. In order to focus
our efforts, the facilities have been subjected to an extensive
00411 prioritization process. First, departments were asked to assign
weighted values to their public access facilities based upon usage
factors. Secondly, a central oversight committee, consisting of
those who perform and approve the work, and representatives of the
Access sub-committee of the Mayor's Committee on Employment of
Persons with Disabilities recommended weighting factors across
departmental lines. After the Assistant City Managers and City
manager provide input, the facilities prioritization list will be
finalized and submitted to the City Council for approval.
Besides improving access to and within city facilities, the ADA
requires cities to install curb cuts. Remaining curb cuts on
public thoroughfares are estimated to cost $600,000.
Assistive listpning devices (equipment to address communication
barriers) need to be purchased f or Will Rogers Memorial Complex and
for the Botanic Gardens Conservatory at an estimated cost of
$100,000 .
Funding History and Proposed Strategy
On July 21, 1992, the City Council approved the transfer of
$1,000,000 from the Capital Projects Reserve Fund to the Specially
Funded Capital Projects fund to pay for expenses associated with
the implementation of the City of Fort Worth's Transition Plan.
To pay for the remaining necessary improvements, it is suggested
that funds be transferred on a quarterly or as needed basis rather
than a lump sum transfer. Total remaining costs at this time are
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CM COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7799
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 8, 1994
Subject: ADA Status Update Page 3 of 4
estimated to cost $1,900,000: $1,200,000 on building upgrades;
$600,000 on curb cuts; and $100,000 on assistive listening
devices.
Will Rogers Memorial Center
The Will Rogers Memorial Center is a very heavily used set of
public facilities. The Historic Coliseum presents a challenge to
accessibility during the Stock Show Rodeo because the readily
accessible seating area, the box seats, were pre-sold years ago.
Also the Carnival has taken up parking (accessible and regular) on
the East lot closest to the Coliseum for five years.
Nonetheless, many ADA improvements have already taken place and
more are planned for 1994 .
ADA enhancements to the Will Rogers Memorial Complex to date
include:
*Renovated restrooms in the Auditorium and Cattle Barn area
*Three public pay tTY/TDD's installed
*Parking lots striped and signed for access
*Two boxes converted in Coliseum for people who are wheelchair
users
Enhancements proposed for the coming year:
*Increase accessible seating in the Coliseum and Auditorium
*Improve access between the Exhibit Hall and Equestrian
Center by adding a stair lift and curb cuts to the east
entrance of the Exhibit Hall
I
*Add two ramps to the Tower Lobby which serves both the
Auditorium and Coliseum to provide an accessible pathway
*Install directional signage system for overall complex
*Install ramp from West parking lot to Will Rogers Auditorium
*Stripe and sign accessible parking spaces in the horseshoe in
front of the Auditorium and Coliseum
*Renovate restrooms in the Coliseum
iqqi im RV THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH. TEXAS
............
INFORMAL REPORT TO CIT.' COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7799
` T ' To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 8, 1994
Subject: ADA Status Update Page 4 of 4
,a»
A summary of the original $1,000,000 ADA budget allocation and a
chronology of Council presentations and actions on the ADA are
attached.
If the City Council desires additional information, it will be
provided upon request.
Bob Terrell
City Manager
oo
mciwn RV TWP(%ITV RAAMAr.PR FORT WORTH. TFXAR
A CHRONOLOGY OF ACTIVITIES
February 9, 1994
DATE PRESENTATION OR COUNCIL ACTION
October 1, 1991 Presentation of Informal Report No. 7556
"Americans with Disabilities Act"
Summary of the Law and Suggested Steps for
Implementation
January 28, 1992 Presentation of Informal Report No. 7577
"Americans with Disabilities Act Update"
March 17 , 1992 Presentation of Informal Report No. 7591
"Americans with Disabilities Act Transition
Plan"
Presentation with recommendation for actions
and time frames to complete the City's
Transition Plan
July 7 , 1992 Informal Report, No. 7626 "Americans with
Disabilities Act"
Presentation on Proposed Transition Plan
July 21, 1992 Council approved M&C G-9742 "Transfer of Funds
from Capital Projects Reserve Fund for
compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act" (ADA)
July 21, 1992 Council approved M&C G-9743 "City of Fort
Worth ADA Transition Plan"
January 12, 1992 Council given Informal Report No. 7672 "ADA
Self-Evaluation" in Council packet
January 26, 1993 Presentation on Informal Report No. 7677 "ADA
Transition Plan Status Update"
January 26, 1993 Council approved M&C G-10015 "ADA Self
Evaluation Plan"
ADA BUDGET SUMMARY
Department/Use Allocation Re-Estimate Total to Date Savings/Overage
Engineering Department
Curb Cut Contracts
Contract#1 $ 124,320.00 $ 87,429.71 $ 87,429.71 $ 36,890.29
Contract#2 133,067.00 102,592.84 102,592.84 30,474.16
Contract#3 72,045.00 35,646.41 35,646.41 36,398.59
Contract#5 79,000.00 79,000.00 - -
Design and Inspection Costs 77,464.00 28,133.24 28,133.24 49,33036
Sub-Total $ 485,896.00 $332,802.20 $253,802.20 $ 153,093.80
Personnel Department
Computer Workstation $ 4,500.00 $ 4,301.00 $ 4,301.00 $ 199.00
Contingency Funds 11,360.00 - - 11,360.00
Sub-Total $ 15,860.00 $ 4,301.00 $ 4,301.00 $ 11,360.00
Information Systems and Services Department
Braille Embosser $ 6,055.00 $ 6,055.00 $ 6,055.00 $ -
TTY's 13,000.00 17,056.33 17,056.33 (4,056.33)
Sub-Total $ 19,055.00 $ 23,111.33 $ 23,111.33 $ (4,056.33)
Transportation and Public Works Department
Sign Maker $ 28,000.00 $ 29,834.50 $ 29,834.50 $ (1,834.50)
Modifications to bathrooms,elevators
and parking lots 174,589.00 261,256.74 171,256.74 (86,667.74)
Sub-Total $ 202,589.00 $291,091.24 $201,091.24 $ (88,502,24)
Public Library
Low-Tech Equipment(adjustable tables, $ 8,600.00 $ 8,600.00 $ $
(magnifying glasses,book stands,etc.)
High-Tech Equipment(computers, 68,000.00 128,054.00 (60,054.00)
Dynix upgrade,closed caption devices,etc.)
Sub-Total $ 76,600.00 $136,654.00 $ - $ (60,054.00)
Park and Recreation Department
Modifications to pathways in parks* $ 200,000.00 $200,000.00 $ 21,483.13 $
Sub-Total $ 200,000.00 $200,000.00 $ 21,483.13 $ -
TOTAL $1'000'000.00 $987,959.77 $503,788.90 $ 11,94013
"The cost of these pathway improvements is also included in the"A"Facilities list estimate of$1,447,330.
Prepared 213/94