REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Study Session - Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High-Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibit discrimination by public entities on the basis of disability. Under Title II of the ADA, the City is required to evaluate its services, policies, and practices in order to identify any barriers, and to make necessary modifications to eliminate such barriers. For barrier removals requiring structural changes to facilities, the City is required to develop a transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete the modifications.
The City originally completed a Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan (Plan) in 1993 as required by ADA legislation. However, since completion of the plan, the ADA regulations and standards have been updated. The City has acquired and disposed of facilities, performed capital improvement projects, modified organizational structures, and developed and implemented different programs, services, and activities that are accessible to the public but that differ from the original Plan. Therefore, the City is preparing a comprehensive update to the City’s ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan to study and ensure City programs, services, activities, facilities, and public rights-of-way are accessible to the public under current ADA requirements.
Key Outcomes: Key outcomes of the Plan include a summary of recommended modifications to the City’s services, policies, and practices to ensure accessibility, and a summary of physical improvements recommended for the City’s facilities and public rights-of-way including costs, prioritization, and a schedule for implementation.
Project Activities and Progress to Date: The City and its consultant, Moore Iacofano Goltsman (MIG), completed several work efforts in preparing a draft Plan:
• Project Initiation: Confirmed efforts to be completed under the Plan, including facilities to be evaluated.
• Public Involvement: Performed public outreach, including community meetings as well as presentations to the ADA Committee, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and the Senior Advisory Commission.
• Self-Evaluation: Reviewed current City policies, programs, and services
• Physical Barrier Evaluations: Completed evaluations of Facilities and Public Rights-of-Way.
• Prioritization and Approach: Completed prioritization and approach for removing physical barriers.
• Draft Plan and Public Review: Prepared a Public Review Draft of the Plan and solicited community feedback.
The Public Review Draft of the Plan was distributed for community review and comments (Attachment 1) and is available online at SantaClaraCA.gov/ADATransitionPlan <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/public-works/projects/ada-self-evaluation-and-transition-plan-project>. Additionally, the City held a community outreach event on November 1, 2023 to present the Public Review Draft of the Plan and solicit questions and feedback from the public.
DISCUSSION
This Study Session will update the Council on efforts completed to date and obtain Council input regarding the draft Plan. Feedback received will be considered for incorporation into the Plan. The final Plan will be brought forward for Council’s consideration at a future meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is a study session, and no action is being taken by the City Council that constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational policy making or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment. Projects to remove physical barriers that may occur as a result of the Plan are subject to future discretionary approvals and environmental review for such projects will be required in the future on a project-by-project basis as part of the approval processes for each project.
FISCAL IMPACT
Because this is a Study Session item, it does not have fiscal impacts beyond the staff and consultant time involved in preparing the Plan and this report. Estimated costs associated with implementation of the proposed Plan will be discussed during staff’s informational presentation.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Office. The preparation of the Plan included involvement from all City departments.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file Study Session Report and provide any feedback on the draft Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan