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Accessible‑communities advisory committee urges ADA fixes, eyes $100,000 state grant for Columbia County
Summary
Jerry Cummings, vice chair of the Wallowa‑Columbia Accessible Communities Advisory Committee, told the Columbia County commissioners the committee is seeking grant funding and county liaison support for projects to improve accessibility at roundabouts, crosswalks and public facilities; the committee cited a $100,000 state grant opportunity.
Jerry Cummings, vice chair of the Wallowa‑Columbia Accessible Communities Advisory Committee, told the Columbia County Board of Commissioners that the committee is seeking ways to make county streets and public facilities safer for people with visual and hearing impairments. "We're here to help, and we'll be glad to do what we can to help," Cummings said during the committee's biannual report.
Cummings summarized work the committee has done over the past six months, including consultations with local and regional engineers on roundabout design and pedestrian‑safety measures. He said tactile surfacing used at some roundabouts was creating confusion for visually impaired pedestrians and recommended switching to a smaller, pebble‑style surface and adding rapid‑flashing beacons where appropriate. "Many disabled pedestrians, especially the visually impaired, cannot determine where they are in a roundabout when stamped brick is used," Cummings said.
The committee reported discussing ADA‑related court experience and enforcement with a district court judge, and noted that many citations for ADA parking or placard misuse do not result in convictions; the group proposed a simple verification step in court for placard holders. The committee also flagged problems at regional medical facilities and parking access at Saint Mary's, and said it has discussed increasing accessible parking spaces and uphill access for wheelchair users.
Of potential practical importance, Cummings told commissioners the state has made about $100,000 in grants available to accessibility committees for project work in fiscal year 2026 and urged county staff to identify candidate projects. "We have taken and sent out a copy of basically what the state was asking for," he said, adding that the committee asked public works for ideas by Jan. 10 to meet the state's Feb. 13 deadline.
Commissioners responded with general support and asked county staff to follow up on specific opportunities, such as button‑operated automatic doors and ramps at the grandstands. The board also agreed to accept the committee's report on a semiannual basis going forward.
Next steps: county public works staff were asked to coordinate with the committee on potential projects and grant applications and to report back to the board by the committee's internal deadline schedule.
