During a recent government meeting, city officials addressed pressing concerns regarding the safety of schoolchildren and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The discussions were initiated by a council member who highlighted the urgent need for more crossing guards in light of a recent incident where a child was struck by a vehicle in their district.

Currently, the city has 2,222 crossing guard positions, with 26 vacancies, representing over 10% of the total. Officials confirmed that 12 candidates are in the pre-employment process, but the council member expressed concern that even if these positions were filled, the demand for crossing guards would likely exceed the available staff. They proposed utilizing traffic enforcement officers during peak school hours to enhance safety at critical intersections, suggesting that their presence could significantly improve the situation for students commuting to and from school.

In response, city officials acknowledged the importance of this issue and noted that traffic enforcement officers have previously been deployed in the Mount Washington area to assist with traffic control and gather data for potential safety improvements. However, they emphasized that these officers have other responsibilities throughout the city, making continuous deployment challenging.

The conversation then shifted to accessibility issues, particularly regarding the installation of ADA-compliant ramps. The council member pointed out disparities between the city and county in terms of accessible infrastructure, urging for more attention to be paid to curb ramps in their district. City officials outlined their approach to ADA compliance, which includes upgrading ramps during street resurfacing projects and addressing specific requests from residents with disabilities.

Last year, the city reconstructed 433 curb ramps, with an average annual goal of 400 to 700 ramps depending on resurfacing projects. The officials explained that federal regulations require the reconstruction of ramps whenever streets are resurfaced, and they also prioritize requests from residents who are unable to access public transportation due to inadequate infrastructure.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to improving safety for schoolchildren and enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by staffing shortages and funding limitations. City officials promised to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed solutions and report back after budget hearings.