Coppell council directs staff to study ADA fixes and audiovisual upgrades for council chambers

Coppell City Council members on Jan. 28 told staff to proceed with a feasibility and design study to address accessibility deficiencies and replace aging audiovisual equipment in the Town Center council chambers.

The proposal, presented by staff, identified three main issues: ADA and code deficiencies in ramps and railings; a steep drop from the dais to the podium (about 30 inches today) that staff proposes cutting roughly in half; and outdated AV gear. The presentation said staff has identified one-time funding sources including the city’s PEG (public, educational and governmental) channel fund, IMF and ADA-related funding and some fund balance, and that about $200,000 is currently set aside in the PEG fund for AV upgrades.

Daniel, a city staff member presenting the concept, told council, “Council has not seen this or heard this before and as such, this is really a question for council.” He said the proposal is at a feasibility level and would require a design process that could disrupt chamber use during construction. The plan sketches shown to council…