Butte-Silver Bow hears ADA transition plan; council places communication on file

Butte-Silver Bow’s Committee of the Whole held a public hearing Dec. 10 on the City-County ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, hearing a presentation from consultants WT Group and testimony from dozens of residents and advocates. James Ouellette, the county’s Title II ADA coordinator, told the council the transition plan was produced after an RFP and on-site audits and that staff will bring a formal resolution for the council to consider following public comments and follow-up questions.

The plan — prepared by WT Group consultants John McGovern and Shelley Zuniga — documents audits of county buildings, parks and the public right of way, a program and policy review, community engagement results and a prioritized transition schedule. McGovern told commissioners that the federal Title II obligations require jurisdictions to evaluate existing facilities and create a phased retrofit plan and that the WT Group’s deliverables include site reports, an Excel transition schedule, and cost references. He summarized the overall estimate as roughly $34.9 million, with phases 1–3 “a shade under $10,000,000,” optional items near $16,000,000 and a category of smart-practice improvements at about $9,000,000; he said the report lists James Ouellette as the responsible official on each page.

Why it matters: the transition plan provides a road map to remove physical and programmatic barriers under the Americans with Disabilities Act and offers the county a basis for budgeting, grant applications and prioritizing projects that affect daily mobility for residents and visitors.

During a lengthy question-and-answer period, commissioners pressed WT Group and staff on local enforcement and compliance mechanisms for new construction and retrofits. McGovern said jurisdictions typically rely on plan-review, procurement practices, retainage and contract terms to require corrections from architects and contractors; he added that many noncompliant features are the result of designers using outdated or incorrect standards. Staff and the consultants emphasized that some work can be done with minimal cost (policy changes, staff training, grievance-process adjustments) while larger retrofits will need capital budgeting or grant funding. McGovern also explained Title II concepts including “technical infeasibility” (structural or terrain limits) and how historic-preservation review can affect retrofit requirements.

Public testimony during the proponents’ period was overwhelmingly supportive. Cassie Wick of Ability Montana told the council: “I strongly urge you to adopt the ADA transition plan and respectfully urge you to approve it.” College student Lucy Galeris and a string of residents described broken sidewalks, inaccessible bus stops and barriers to independent participation; several speakers said modest changes — improved signage, automatic door openers, better maintenance and more accessible routes to playgrounds and parks — would yield outsized benefits.

Staff described next steps: Ouellette said staff will accept follow-up questions, provide additional information as requested, and bring a resolution that would put the transition plan into the council’s formal adoption process. Chief Executive Gallagher said some low-cost items have already been folded into ongoing projects and that higher-cost priorities will be incorporated into the capital improvement plan and budget process.

The council voted 10–0 to place communication 2025-576 (the ADA transition plan public hearing) on file. The action does not itself adopt the plan; Ouellette told commissioners he intends to present a resolution for possible adoption after additional follow-up and committee review.