Beaver Creek council adopts Title VI and ADA policies to secure $116,000 transit grant

The Beaver Creek City Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 26-14 as an emergency single reading, approving Title VI and Americans with Disabilities Act policies required to accept a $116,000 Federal Transit Administration grant administered through the Ohio Department of Transportation.

A staff member told the council the grant is "$116,000" in federal funds and that the city used FTA/ODOT template policies that staff and the city attorney reviewed with few substantive changes. The presenter said the emergency adoption was requested so ODOT could disperse grant funds and the city could place bus orders.

During the public hearing, Bob Trout (2187 Basset Court) asked whether the ADA policy specifically referenced Braille or tactile access for blind riders. A staff member pointed to "section 8" as the language-assistance provision and offered to show Mr. Trout the relevant text after the meeting.

Council members moved and seconded the emergency adoption of the ordinance. A roll call vote recorded "Yes" from Council member Curran, Council member LL, Council member Bales, Vice Mayor Upton, Council member Bills and Mayor Adams. The ordinance will allow the city to accept the federal funds and proceed with procurement tied to the transit program.

The ordinance text states the Title VI policy requires Beaver Creek to operate transit programs "without regard to race, color, and national origin" in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and that the ADA policy commits the city to comply with applicable federal and state disability-access laws. The staff presenter said the policies match FTA and ODOT templates and were reviewed by legal.

Next steps: with the emergency ordinance adopted, staff said ODOT will be able to release the grant and the city can begin ordering buses tied to the senior-center transit program.