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Public hearing divides council over tobacco settlement spending; ADA advocates press for $10M curb‑cut program
Summary
Disability-rights advocates demanded immediate use of settlement funds for curb cuts to meet ADA obligations; public‑health groups urged funding for prevention and enforcement. The council continued the discussion to allow further departmental reports and committee work.
The council held a lengthy public hearing on uses for the city's share of tobacco‑settlement funds, with substantial testimony from disability advocates, public‑health groups and community organizations.
Advocates for the disabled urged immediate allocation of $10 million or more to bring curb cuts into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Representatives of disability organizations warned that federal funding and other programs could be jeopardized if the city continued to lag on ADA compliance; one attorney from a disability law center said litigation and Department of Justice involvement were possible if the city failed to act.
Public‑health speakers and tobacco‑control advocates stressed that a meaningful portion of the funds should support prevention and enforcement programs—the stated purpose of much of the settlement. Speakers recommended setting aside a percentage for enforcement, licensing of tobacco retailers and programs to reduce youth initiation. Several suggested integrating anti‑tobacco messages into visible uses such as stamped curb cuts.
Council members agreed the problem is urgent but debated whether all money should be dedicated to curb cuts. Several members recommended a mix of uses, including school‑based clinics, enforcement, prevention and curb cuts, and asked for more information from the Departments of Transportation, Water & Power, and Street Maintenance about current practices and staffing for curb‑cut installation.
Chairing members and committee chairs requested additional reports and committed to more detailed work on the package. Council agreed to continue the matter (motion by Councilman Scheuer to continue until Friday the 21st was moved) to allow staff to gather departmental plans and to finalize a funding framework that balances ADA compliance, tobacco prevention and enforcement.
What happens next: Councilmembers requested departmental reports on curb‑cut activity, a review of how settlement funds could be apportioned across prevention, enforcement and ADA work, and continued committee consideration before a final allocation is adopted.
