Re-evaluating a blanket policy on how the city of Perryville can get its sidewalks to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, commonly referred to as handicapped accessibility, continues to be an ongoing discussion at City Hall.
Several Perryville residents spoke to the Board of Aldermen earlier this month regarding sidewalks. Many of those speaking publicly were not in attendance when the aldermen agreed to revisit any future sidewalk plan.
Perryville resident Terry Carroll questioned the need for sidewalks in his neighborhood by North Parkview when to his knowledge, only student uses them to walk to and from school.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Carroll said. “There are places in Perryville where we need sidewalks. The ones you did on Edgemont, I grant you, I agree, that was a great place to go. There is a lot of foot traffic, a lot of kids who walk to school. I see them all the time.”
Allowing for more discussion on the topic allows the Board of Aldermen to “incorporate some wiggle room so the Board can evaluate the situation and make decisions based on the particular street and needs and preferences of the neighborhood,” according to city administrator Brent Buerck.
“The extent of that wiggle room is what is up for debate and an eventual decision,” Buerck said.
Cities are advised to have a plan for addressing sidewalks with ADA, though it is not a requirement.
“The advantage of having a plan is if we’re not (compliant), we can plan on when we’re going to fix it, and that plan is admissible as evidence of your effort,” Buerck told the Board of Aldermen March 16.
“Before I vote on this, I want somebody with experience and knowhow to sit in front of us and tell us what’s required,” Alderman Prince Hudson said. “I want to know what the rules are before I vote on anything.”
Alderman Curt Buerck suggested a self-assessment of sidewalks within the city limits. He wants the city to determine the streets that still need ADA sidewalks.
Previously, Southeast Regional Planning has assisted the city in this effort, though it was more of seeking to find gap areas with no sidewalks, not necessarily ADA compliance for a specific neighborhood.
An official transition plan has yet to be developed.
“They won’t engineer any of it,” Brent Buerck said. “They’ll tell us where it’s within specs, where the grades are off, where there are lifts, where there are curbs. The plan is that they would walk every sidewalk and make all the measurements.”
Another issue is that the ADA requirements are modified every so often.
“I’m sure the guidelines have changed over the years,” alderman Larry Riney said.
It was reported the ADA guidelines were changed in 2010
“They’re getting more specific on it, I guess,” said engineer Tim Baer.
The question remains whether or not the city would be required to incorporate any of the changes to existing sidewalks, many constructed years ago.
“What are the consequences if we don’t do it?” Hudson asked.
“Can city streets be grandfathered in?” asked alderman Curt Buerck.
Hudson said a portion of the ADA guidelines are tied to federal funding and was not in favor of voting until more details could be provided.
“Until I know what’s driving this, I’m not voting for it, and I don’t think anybody else should,” he said.
“As long as they can explain everything,” Hudson said. “There has got to be somebody out there that can tell us what’s driving this.”
