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Council places ordinance to apply for NOACAA grant for wheelchair-accessible senior van on second reading
Summary
Council moved Ordinance 26-22 to second reading with subsequent third reading to seek an 80%-reimbursable NOACAA grant for a $123,000 outfitted, 12-passenger wheelchair-accessible van; staff said the city has budgeted its 20% match and reported ridership rose to about 3,065 rides last year.
Councilwoman Greenfield introduced Ordinance 26-22, which would allow the administration to apply for a NOACAA grant to buy a new wheelchair-accessible van for the senior center. Staff said the fully outfitted vehicle would cost about $123,000, with the grant covering roughly 80% (about $99,148.80) and the city covering the remainder.
City staff described the proposed vehicle as a 12-passenger van configurable to carry up to two wheelchairs. Laura, the senior-center manager, told council that ridership had increased to "3,065 rides, total, last year" compared with under 2,000 in the previous grant cycle, and that adding a van and a 0.33 driver position (budgeted as part-time) would expand capacity and scheduling flexibility. Council moved to place Ordinance 26-22 on second read with subsequent third and the motion passed 7–0.
Council members asked whether the purchase would replace an existing vehicle or expand the fleet; staff said the plan is to expand, keeping current vans and adding the new vehicle. Delivery timing depends on the grant award but, if successful, staff said the vehicle could be in the city this year.
