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Notus council weighs paying to fix city-owned museum's ADA issues after inspection
Summary
Inspectors found multiple ADA shortcomings at the city-owned museum; council discussed whether the city should fund ramps, bathroom upgrades and roof repairs while residents and a museum board member weighed in.
Notus city leaders reviewed a building inspection report that found the city-owned museum (operated by an independent 501(c)(3)) needs new ramps, an updated bathroom door and interior, a signed handicap parking space, 32-inch clear pathways and roof and back-exit repairs before it can open to the public.
Mayor David Porterfield asked the council directly whether "the City [should] take on the cost, to provide the museum with a way to exist?" The mayor framed the question as whether municipal funds or a lease arrangement should require the nonprofit to carry the repairs. Resident Amelia Paz urged caution, saying the city should "fix the roof but why spend money on something that is never open." Randall Taylor, speaking for the museum board, said the board had a grant to fix the roof. The minutes record discussion of alternatives including repairing the existing building, constructing a new bathroom, relocating the museum, or asking the museum's board to fund improvements under a lease.
Council did not record a vote to commit city funds at the Nov. 18 meeting; the matter remained a discussion item and the minutes show no final action. The mayor and council emphasized the building's condition and the need to decide whether municipal support is appropriate given the museum's separate nonprofit status.
