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Residents urge council to retain ADA coordinator role as reclassification to DPW is tabled
Summary
Multiple speakers at public comment praised ADA coordinator Richard Rodriguez; the council tabled a reclassification proposal that would have moved the ADA position under DPW pending additional information and requested documentation from HR and department heads.
Public commenters at the Sept. 2 Lawrence City Council meeting urged the council to preserve the city’s institutional expertise after the council received a reclassification proposal for the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator.
Reynaldo Gil, who identified himself as a long-time resident, described ADA coordinator Richard Rodriguez as “an asset” who had prevented costly lawsuits, secured accommodations for residents and brought revenue to the city. “He has earned the trust of the ADA community,” Gil said during public participation. He urged the council to “recognize Richard’s value” and to reflect it in compensation.
The council later took up ordinance item 3 59 25, a proposed reclassification that would place the ADA director under the Department of Public Works (DPW). The city attorney and personnel committee both requested additional documentation; the item was tabled. The personnel committee reported that it had asked for HR and the DPW director to provide updated job descriptions and other materials before the council acts.
Why it matters: several councilors and commenters noted that ADA coordination requires specialized knowledge of accessibility requirements and case-level advocacy; reassigning the position could change where residents bring complaints and how the city documents compliance. Councilors asked HR and the DPW to clarify supervision, reporting lines and whether any change would affect ongoing casework.
Next steps: personnel and ordinance committee members asked HR, the DPW director and the city attorney to provide updated job descriptions, salary-grade analysis and a clarification of supervision and reporting responsibilities before the council considers the reclassification again.
Ending: the item remains tabled pending the requested documentation and no change to the position will occur until the council votes to approve any reclassification.
