Commission approves letter urging City Council to develop ADA transition plan; will present to council later this year

The Commission voted to approve a letter to City Council supporting the development of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan and asked staff to add a brief definition of what a transition plan is before submission. The motion passed with the ayes recorded and two members absent.

Susan (chair) described the letter’s purpose as providing guidance to council about creating a transparent, citywide transition plan that would inventory city-owned facilities, parks, sidewalks and rights-of-way and identify accessibility improvements. “Transition plans are… to help prepare not only the city for making any potential changes, but also to demonstrate action towards some kind of ADA plan,” Susan said.

Commissioners discussed timeline estimates in the draft letter—about six to nine months based on examples from Boulder and Austin—and the role of a designated ADA coordinator. Commissioners asked for a short explanatory sentence in the letter clarifying “transition to what,” and staff agreed to add language explaining that a transition plan inventories existing facilities and identifies actions to bring them into ADA compliance over time.

A motion was put forward “to approve the letter with the amendment of the additional definition of a transition plan.” Commissioner Rachel moved; Commissioner Sherry Dobson seconded. The Commission chair called for the vote and recorded the motion as carried; commissioners agreed to prepare a joint presentation for City Council to explain the plan and to seek any necessary funding and coordination with the new ADA coordinator once hired.

Outcome: the Commission will submit the amended letter to City Council and schedule a joint presentation; staff noted Council’s calendar may push the presentation to July–September depending on hiring and schedule availability.