Dexter council orders updated bid and explores alternatives for Monument Park gazebo accessibility

Council members revisited Monument Park gazebo accessibility after public comment and staff presentations prompted discussion of several ramp options.

A resident, identified in the record as Susan, urged the council to "please consider" an embedded ramp that would sit within the existing gazebo footprint. "This Photoshop ramp ... it would be in the footprint of the gazebo," she told the council and urged the body to consider access for disabled musicians and residents.

Council debate focused on design alternatives and cost. Council member Dan moved — and the council later amended — to have staff approach the prior low bidder for the previously designed hard ramp and to obtain updated pricing. Dan framed the directive as a way to stop repeated exploratory spending and move the project forward: "So I'll make that motion ... ask Justin to approach the low bidder ... and obtain an updated quote for that," he said.

Council members also discussed an earth ("burm") ramp, a wooden ramp, a lift, and a removable ramp for occasional events. Staff said prior evaluation work (including a lift evaluation) has cost roughly $4,000 and that additional redesign or new options will require further engineering effort. Justin, the city manager, cautioned that design changes require additional effort by the city's engineering consultant.

The amended motion to request an updated quote from the earlier low bidder carried on a roll-call vote. Council instructed staff to return with the updated bid and options so the council can decide whether to proceed with a permanent ramp or another approach.

Next step: staff will request updated pricing from the identified low bidder and report back to council with comparative costs for the selected alternatives.