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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC26850 CA1 ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan Development � Contract No. C26850 CITY OF PALM DESERT BUILDING AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: Approve Contract Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C26850 for the ADA Self-Evaluation of City Owned Facilities and Transition Plan Development SUBMITTED BY: Russell A. Grance, Director of Building and Safety APPLICANT: Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. 1181 California Avenue, Suite #202 Corona, CA 92881 DATE: August 28, 2008 CONTENTS: ADA Construction Cost Estimate Proposal Recommendation: By Minute Motion, Staff requests that the City Council approve a contract amendment to the professional services agreement to Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (Contract No.C26850) for ADA Review services. The amendment to the contract for ADA Review shall not exceed $18,600.00. This contract will be administered through Account Number 110-4420-422.3010 Appropriations: In order to administer this contract, it is requested that the additional contract amount be added to the Building and Safety's current 2008/2009 Fiscal Year Budget for inclusion in Account Number 110-4420- 422.3010. Background: At its regular meeting of August 9, 2007, the Palm Desert City Council, by Minute Motion, awarded the subject contract to Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., Corona, California, in an amount not to exceed $101,028.00 and authorized the Mayor to execute same. CITY COUNCIL ACTIOIv: APPROVED ✓ DENIED RECEI�IED OTHER M�E'I'Il�d " llt-��'� F�YES: �P �P! U�-�'25�� rTG+E a: f1L�S E1V'i'»_'Y1 dY� — A�STA.iT�d' V�RIFIED B'Y: Original on File with ty Clerk's Offio� Staff Report ADA Construction Cost Estimate Proposal August 28, 2008 Page � 2 This contract was utilized to update the City's 1993 ADA transition plan that focused on all City owned buildings, structures and physical facilities not in the public right-of-way. Structures such as the City Hall, Corporation Yard buildings and facilities, park structures and lands, the Visitors Center, Fire Stations, the YMCA, Community Center, etc., will be assessed for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II. Executive Summary: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law and was adopted in 1990. The ADA required Public Agencies including Cities to perForm a self-evaluation of facilities and programs to determine what needed to be done to achieve program accessibility. Based on this evaluation, the public agency had to develop a transition plan for those barrier removal projects that would require more than a year to remove. ADA required as a minimum that the transition plan include the following: 1) List the physical barriers; 2) Detail methods to remove the barriers; 3) Provide a schedule; 4) Name the official responsible for the plans' implementation. This plan had to be completed by July 26, 1992. Any structural modifications had to be completed by July 26, 1995. To comply with ADA and meet these deadlines, the City of Palm Desert, in 1993, completed a very thorough self evaluation of structural barriers of all City facilities. Subsequently the City Council passed Resolution No. 93-71 on July 8, 1993 approving a Transition Plan for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The City of Palm Desert is committed to ongoing compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). The City of Palm Desert developed a Strategic Plan which is designed to provide an overview of a long term process that will be continuous for several years. The plan will be periodically reviewed and adjusted to stay current with ongoing development in both compliance requirements and with technology that provides compliance as outlined in the following stages: H:\Staff Reports�ADA\Staff Report ADA Contract Amendment 082808ver2.docx Staff Report ADA Construction Cost Estimate Proposal August 28, 2008 Page � 3 Stage 1: COMMITMENT The first stage of the Strategic Plan is to re-affirm the City's commitment to act as a model for ADA compliance for Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley. The City has continuously perFormed many actions that help bring the public infrastructure into compliance with ADA regulations, but also to assist the public, especially those who are building in the City, to develop long term ADA compliance. The City's long term commitment will be to maintain high standards for accessibility for new projects going forward, and to seek out improvements to existing public infrastructure. Stage 2: NEW TRANSITION PLAN In order to have a solid and appropriate blueprint for the future the next phase of the Strategic Plan is to create a new Transition Plan for 2008 onward. The City first produced a Transition Plan in July 1993 (attached). This plan covered City Hall and other City structures. The 2008 Transition Plan will cover the complete array of City property and public works, and also include the City's communications with its citizens, and virtual location on the internet. The Transition Plan will also cover structures that are planned and are not yet built to ensure that they meet the most current standards of compliance. The City will organize its new Transition Plan around five basic areas of City infrastructure and operation. These are: 1. Public Works: sidewalks, bridges, and other public right of way structures. 2. Public Buildings: City Hall, Visitor Center, Community Center, and all other buildings the City owns, operates and maintains. 3. Parks and Recreation: Parks, playgrounds, pools, including Desert Willow, the City golf courses and clubhouse. 4. Redevelopment Agency: RDA properties will be incorporated into the City's Transition Plan as they enter RDA control. 5. Internet, Public Communication and Employee Practices: The City's internet website and standard communications with the public will be accessible for the disabled, and City employee practices will be reviewed regarding ADA compliance. H:\Staff ReportsWDA\Staff Report ADA Contract Amendment 082808ver2.docx Staff Report ADA Construction Cost Estimate Proposal August 28, 2008 Page � 4 Stage 3: IMPLEMENT TRANSITION PLAN The Transition Plan is, by definition, a long range plan to set priorities and identify actions that will take place according to a schedule that will extend over several years. This is because compliance with the ADA is both complex and multivariate (more than one possible solution to a single issue), and also subject to ongoing modification as regulations, legal decisions, and budget realities change over time. The City will have two general priorities in the new Transition Plan. These are to address compliance issues in City Hall, and maintain high compliance standards with all new City buildings and public works going forward. After that, the City will continue to work on the next tier of priority issues in existing buildings, parks and public works. This action plan is not set in stone, and when circumstances arise, such as new regulations, legal requirements, compliance technology, or changing financial climates, the Transition Plan can be modified to reflect these changing realities. Also on occasion, as a result of input from the public, an issue may be elevated in priority. The City will continuously observe its process to receive public input, and incorporate it into the Transition Plan, to ensure it is a high quality, functional process. 2008 ADA SELF-EVALUATION As part of the City of Palm Desert's Strategic Plan the City Council at its regular meeting of August 9, 2007, by Minute Motion, awarded a contract to Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., Corona, California, to perform an updated self-evaluation that focuses on all City owned buildings, structures and physical facilities not in the public right-of-way. Structures such as the City Hall, Corporation Yard buildings and facilities, park structures and lands, the Visitors Center, Fire Stations, the YMCA, Community Center, etc., will be assessed for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II. Based on this evaluation, the City will develop an updated transition plan for those barrier removal projects that would require more than a year to remove. ADA requires as a minimum that the transition plan include the following: 1) List the physical barriers; 2) Detail methods to remove the barriers; 3) Provide a schedule; 4) Name the official responsible for the plans' implementation. The ADA Self-Evaluation has been completed by Bureau Veritas per Contract No.C26850 and covered the following sites and buildings: H:\Staff ReportslADA\Staff Report ADA Contract Amendment 082808ver2.docx Staff Report ADA Construction Cost Estimate Proposal August 28, 2008 Page � 5 Palm Desert ADA Review Sheet App. number Building Name Address s ie size acrea e 1. Civic Center 73-510 Fred Warin Drive 45,000 1 B Civic Center restroom(Play 1,000 round 1 C Civic Center restroom 700 sittin area 1 D Civic Center restroom 1,000 skate board 2 Portola Communit Center 45-480 Portola 4,500 3 Fire Station#67 73-200 Mesa View 4,535 4. Maintenance Yard Joni 74-833 Joni Drive 5,907 Yard 5. Civic Center Concession 73-510 Fred Waring Drive 3,000 Bld . 6. Fire Station#33 44-400 Town Center Wa 25,000 7. Fire Station#67 73-995 Count Club 10,000 8. Parkview Building (2- 73-710 Fred Waring Drive 35,282 stories 9. Parkview Buildin 1 sto 73-720 Fred Warin Drive 21,254 10. Cor .Yard Office 74-705 42nd Avenue 6,500 11. Desert Willow Portola 38-400&38-500 Portola Ave. 18,500 Maintenance Bld . 24. Desert rose-Jean Benson 75-433 Orange Blossom Lane 5,000 Child Care 36 Old Visitors Center 72-990 Highway 111 1,770 Sherriffs substation 37. Soccer Park Concession 74-735 Hovley Lane East 1,500 Stand/Restroom 39." Desert Willow Golf course 38-995 Desert Willow Drive 33,000 &Club House 48 Wallaroo Children's Center 44911 Cabrillo Street 3,894 50 Palm Desert visitor Center 72-567 Hi hwa 111 8,200 53 Shelter From the Storm 73-Santa Rosa Wa 18,000 54. Historical Societ Buildin 72-861 EI Paseo 2,500 55 Parks& Recreation Center 43-900 San Pablo 14,000 56. YMCA 43-930 San Pablo 9,000 57. Ironwood Park 47-800 Chi Drive 14 acres 58. Communit Park Ma nesia Falls Drive 6 acres 59. Joe Mann Park 77-810 California Ave 2 acres 60. Palm Desert community West side of San Pablo Ave 1 acre Gardens 61. Palma Village Park Corner of De Anza Way&San 2 acres Carlos 62.*" Freedom Park 77-400 Count Club Drive 26 acres Total square footage (.238 sq. ft) 279,904 Total acreage(460.78 Per acre) 51 acres Total Travel estimates Grand Total H:\Staff Reports�ADA\Staff Report ADA Contract Amendment 082808ver2.docx Staff Report ADA Construction Cost Estimate Proposal August 28, 2008 Page � 6 9 '! sr°o� � t ��, { �� � GERAL•D FORD•DR � � � � '�' Q r '� � O �� i � � � 'r. FR4NK SINATRA•DR 0 11,33,39 � H I m 7 O 0 1 m � U � COU CL•U8—DR q4 � 62 � OQ O HOVL•EY•LN�W 37 LL� � �-I � j I y �� � a HOV�. •N•E � 4,10,38 y o a� � 0 59 z �+. � HOVLiEYleN%E�T" y 1, 1A,1B,1C, 1D, 5,55,,56 i 5S 22 P�ti� 3 MAGN lA•FAL•L-S•DR 24 ? W C � 60 0 $'9 o cal:�F� a 6 op � FRED-WARINf;�DR 3 ��3 61 53 `� � c V �Y &TATE•HWY•!11 � EL PASEO LL� p � y� � U � 54 � 36 Q- wa�v�tt� � ��^ 2 GRAPPVlNE•ST'�O �� a� i A � HA�STACK•RD ���� I 57 MESA•VIEW R �� � �4 �� � � � �� f-�_— (�� 17 ye �� II� City of Palm Desert LOCATOR MAP w�E CITY PROPERTY o 5 , � �� - ADA- � �..� Mi�es H:\Staff Reports�ADA\Staff Report ADA Contract Amendment 082808ver2.docx Staff Report ADA Construction Cost Estimate Proposal August 28, 2008 Page � 7 Discussion: To enable the City to move forward with addressing those barriers that need to be removed the City would need to have an engineering construction cost estimate perFormed, which was not part of the original scope of services under contract No. C26850. Bureau Veritas has provided a proposal for additional services outside their original contract in the amount of $18,600. The proposal is attached and consists of additional services necessary to implement the transition plan and enable the city to budget the necessary funds required to implement future barrier removal projects. Submitted by: Departme Head: a Russell A. Grance, CBO Homer Croy Director of Building and Safety ACM for Devel nt Services Approval: . � . rl s L. Ortega City anager Paul Gibson Finance Director H:\Staff Reports�ADA\Staff Report ADA Contract Amendment 082808ver2.docx .-- ------�.______ �`,l 9 � P _ N ` /p�p�Li'vl 4`_�;, r��� � c,�. � \1' �r�r��ta� ,/� ', JUl 2� ' i� ,`; �G ," l���fG&S�F�+` June 30, 2008 Mr. RusseU A. �rance, C60 Director of Building and Safety 73-510 Fred Waring Dr. Palm Desert, Ca 92260 Re: ADA Construction Cost Estimate Proposal Dear Mr. Grance: Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with a cost proposal of Construction Cost Estimates for needed corrective work as noted in our recently completed survey of city owned facilities. The scope of the survey was to evaluate each site in regard to their compliance with the applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and California Disabled Access Regulations. Construction Cost Estimates for required corrective work was not a part of that work. It is our pleasure to be able to provide you with Construction Costs Estimates, at this time, to complete the work that has been done and enable the city to move fonrvard to plan its proactive approach to the removal of access barriers that may need attention. To provide you with costs estimates for each of the thirty-one (31) sites previously surveyed, we propose the following: Three (3) hours per site @ $200 per hour x 31 sites, for a total of$18,600. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the City in this capacity. I hope this is found to be acceptable. Sincerely, �� Ton E o, CBO ' Sou h California Division Director .�m�.�rc�R�b.� vt.�•�6�x��, .i�c�.s�C�� .`�.a�ac :�,,�"i ,_ ,i RESOLUTION NO. 93-71 A BESOLUTION OF THE CFTY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A TRANSITION PLAN COMPLYING WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) seeks to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disabiLity from the employmeni, physical access and services available to all citizens, and; WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert seeks to comply with ADA requirements and create a hospitable environment for disabled citizens and visitors to Palm Desert, and; WHEREAS, the ADA of 1990 requires that the City of Palm Desert comply by developing a Transition Plan to evaluate current employment practices, physical access and program access, and; WHEREAS, the said plan is hereby attached NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of the City Council in this case. 2. That approval of the Transition Plan is hereby granted for use as a guide in helping ihe City to better serve the disabled community. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, held on this 8th day of July, 1993, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: CRITES, KELLY, SNYDER, WILSON. BENSON NOES: NONE � ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE �►�(.d,/�'✓ � � � JE ON, Mayor AT7F�ST: - " ;/. , /`� y - _� SHEILA GI GAN, Cit Clerk ADA TRANSITION PLAN Staff has developed a multi-step process to facilitate incorporating the City of Palm Desert Transition Plan in a positive manner. The City of Palm Desert ADA Transition Plan has a three-fold purpose: ♦ to facilitate compliance at the local level ♦ to document policy and structural status in accordance with ADA requirements. ♦ to create a hospitable environment for disabled citizens and visitors. In order for the Transition Plan to meet its objectives, staff has sought to accomplish four things in particular: ♦ identify physical obstacles to program and service access ♦ describe in detail methods used to correct, eliminate and modify obstacles ♦ specify a schedule including costs and a timeline for taking steps towards compliance. _ ♦ indicate official responsible for implementation In order to facilitate this multi-step process, staff resolved to conduct a Self- Evaluation plan first. Staff developed checklists designed to identify current practices and policies and revise, as found necessary, policies, programs, services or practices which discriminate or have the potential to discriminate against persons with disabilities. These checklists were developed with reference to the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG) and Title 24 California Code of Regulations. The Self-Evaluation checklists were developed to address three specific areas: physical access, program or service access and employment practices and policies. Once all the inventoryiag was completed and preliminary reports on our findings determined, stsff solicited the participation of the disabled by establishing a Disabled Awareness Committee, consisting of three (3) disabled members of the community. Staff made contacts with disabled persons at the College of the Desert and at the Rehabilitation Center in Indio. Staff also sent a memo to the City Manager and members of the City Council asking for names of disabled citizens who could be involved. The members of our ADA Awareness Committee were pleased to see the progress and resourcefulness of the City of Palm Desert end staff was equally pleased to glean from their perspective. It was definitely a win-win situation. 3 Staff established an informal complaint procedure for filing and mediating informal complaints by disabled citizens. This process will aid the City of Palm Desert to address the needs of its disabled citizens in a hospitable, easy and informal manner. Throughout the remainder of this report, staff is quite detailed so that we have usade sure all needs are addressed. The first area this report will address is the physical accessibility of all facilities and buildings. PHYSICAL ACCESS Staff participated in an on-site inventorying of the four sites under the jurisdiction and responsibility of the City af Palm Desert. Checklists were developed for each of the following areas that ADAAG requires must be accessible: ♦ Parking ♦ Routes ♦ Information & Signage ♦ Aestrooms ♦ Lavatories, sinks & mirrors ♦ Drinking fountains & water coolers ♦ Assembly areas ♦ Doors ♦ 5tairways ♦ Seating, Tables & Vending Machines ♦ Public telephones ♦ Curb ramps & Curb cut ramps ♦ Handrails Particular locations inventoriefl by the Staff Committee include: » Civic Center » Civic Center Park » Corporation Yard » City Library CIVIC CENTEB The Civic Center was surveyed as a public access facility. The Civic Center building is relatively new construction. Therefore, in assessiag accessibility it ranks very high. The perking for this facility is accessible according to the requirements listed on the checklist. Greg Holtz is in charge of a re-striping project for the parking lot servicing the Civic Center buildings and facilities. Some minor alterations were made to adjust for handicap accessible spaces. The parking lot has ?6 apaces, 4 of which will be handicap accessible. These handicap accessible spaces are located at a point closest to the building entrances. These spaces are clearly marked as accessible spaces by sa upright sign displaying the universal accessibility symbol and by the blue striping and blue and white 4 painted handicap symbol on the pavement. Block dots, consisting of raised truncated domes will define the cross walk area in a continuaus line from the first handicap space nest to the directory structure leading across the vehicular path to ' the entrance sidewalk which is 36" wide. This is a "detectable warning" for those with severe vision-impairments who use canes. Appropriate curb cuts and ramps will be installed from the closest handicap accessible space to the entrance pathway. Accessible routes within the boundaries of the Civic Center are provided from public transportation stops, accessible passenger loading zones and public streets and sidewalks. All accessible routes that connect to the buildings and facilities on site maintain a minimum clear width of 36" along the entire route. One route situated in front of the Administrative Services Building is not free from protruding objects. The mailhoxes situated at the entrance of the path of travel into the Administrative Services Building encroach upon that path and substantially reduce the clear space and maneuvering width. Staff recommends the mailboxes be moved to clear that approach area and make the pathway accessible. The public restrooms in this facility comply with almost all position requirements (length & height of grab bars, clear space within stalls, height of urinals etc. . .) and meet the ADAAG requirements. The newer restrooms built in the North-Wing Building comply in every way. The older restrooms in the other buildings do not have toilets between 1?" and 19" high, measured from the floor to the top of the seat. We are in compliance, nonetheless, if we can provide at least one accessible restroom which we do. It is easily accessible from all the other buildings within the facility. The older restrooms were constructed 22 years ago according to the State Building Code existing at that time and closely comply with the new requirements. The restrooms in the North Wing Building do not have male/female identifiers with the universal symbol (circle for female and triangle for male) positioned on the doors. Staff recommends implementing this modification on all restroom doors withi.n the Civic Center buildings as well as properly insulating and wrapping the hot water and drain pipes immediately following the adoption of the Transition Plan. This is a low-cost and relatively simple procedure. All lavatories, sinks and mirrors within City Hall are in compliance. This includes clear space, height, length, width and depth measuremeats aad clean, non-abrasive counter surfaces and under-counter tops. No alterations are necessary or needful here. All drinking and water fauntains comply with the ADAAG requirements. The controls are easy to use and both front and side mounied nesr the front edge. There is adequate clear space ta approach the water fountains and all position and measurement requirements are met. All seating and table arrangements are compatible with the ADAAG requirements. This includes office desks, conference room tables and lunch room tables. All seating and table arrangements comply with height, clear knee space and clear approach space measureQ►ents as required by ADA accessibility standards. We have two vending machines located in the lounge/kitchen area. It is located on an accessible route. Some dining tables may hsve ta be rearrsnged in order to create enough clear space (3Q" x 4S") in front of the vending machines. This is a minor adjustment easily remedied. _ 5 Presently, the Civic Center maintains three public phones within the buildings that are accessible to the public. These are not public pay phones but phones we have . placed on the counter or wall for public use. Two phones are located in the Council � Chambers, positioned on the wall. One other phone is located past the general information desk positioned on the wail between the two restroom entrances. These phones must be modified in the way of volume control and a compatible hearing device. Staff recommends that each building or area have a phone ptaced on the front counter for public use and that the same modifications (volume control, hearing aid device) be installed. This is relatively easy to do as a phone jack is located behind each service counter. The currently favored hearing aid device is the "text telephone" which is a non-voice terminal device and can be used by more than the deaf. TDD's (telephone device for the deaf) employs a "specific Ianguage" which is useful only far the hearing-impaired. Staff recommends that additional information be gathered about each of these devices, the advantages and disadvantages af both TDD's and text telephone and the relative costs of implementation and maintenance. The main assembly area is the City Council Chambers. Seating capacity numbers 142 with additional spaces on the back and front rows (three spaces on each of the back two rows and front two rows) for wheelchair access. We exceed the number of required wheelchair spaces according to the seating capacity of our Council Chambers and therefore more than adequately meet that requirement. The main modification that must be installed is a permanent or portable assistive listening system. If a permanent system is installed, it should be placed within 50' of the stage viewing area. Signage indicating "Assistive Listening Sysiem Available" with a pictograph should be installed. There are three kinds of systems used: Induction Loop Transmitter, FM Transmitter and Infrared Transmitter. Staff recommends that Ken Weller evaluate the advantages of these systems and choose the one best suited to our needs. Stairways are situated in the Council Chambers ieading down into the seating area. These stairs have uniform riser heights and tread widths that comply with state and federal standards. The tile is not slip-resistant and must be changed. Handrails are not provided on both sides of the staircase. Staff recommends this modification be implemented. In every other respect, the stairways and handrails are accessible. Folding or removable armrests for at least one fixed seat on an aisle for wheelchair access should be installed. In every other way, the City Council Chambers is accessible. All doors have a minimum clear width opening of 32" and provide clear maneuvering space. Door hardware is centered between 30"- 44" above the floor but the doorknobs in the older buildings need to be changed to lever-type hardware that is easily operable with one motioa. Both the newer North building and the oFder building entrance doors need their closures adjusted to allow for a minimum opening effort of less than 5 lbs. The doors are difficult to open and require a straining effort from disabled aad non-disabled individuals alike. Proper sig�age throughout City Hall and the parking lot areas is necessary. This includes information signs and directory signs within aad without the buildings. Signage will be provided to indicate accessible entrances, restrooms and other facilities. Signage will have to be adapted to include Braille and Raised characters to accommodate the visioa-impaired. Signage desigaating restrooms or offices must 6 be mounted 60" from floor to centerline of sign. The main directory situated outside the buiidings has deteriorated and the lettering faded. Staff recommends . dismantling the old directory and replacing it with an accessibie, easily legible ' (braille and raised characters) and aesthetically pleasing structure. Rudy Acosta has suggested in previous plans the City should build a kiosk in place of the present structure. Signage indicating the availability and location of volume control-telephones, TDD- equipped or text telephone will be installed in the Council Chambers and reception area. Signage indicating the availability of assistive listening devices will be installed in the Council Chambers. CIVIC CENTER PAEK The Civic Center Park is a very new construction that was built in 199Q, situated to the north of the Civic Center buildings and facilities. The park offers a number of facilities and recreational options: 0 6 tennis courts 0 4 sand volleyball courts 0 3 basketball courts 0 YMCA facility A 2000-seat amphitheater located in the park is fully accessible to the disabled, including accessible routes and seating for wheelchairs. Guests can enjoy 3 picnic pavilions under a central awning for protection from sun and adverse weather. The picnic tables are fully accessible and all height, width and space measurements comply with ADA requirements. Tables are movable and can be rearranged if need be. There are two sets of msle/female restrooms which are fully accessible to the disabled public. Routes to and from the restrooms are accessible and all hardware and fixtures within comply with ADA requirements. A one-acre lagoon sits in the middle of the park closest to disabled parking. A path of travel continues all around the lagoon and individuais in wheelchairs can visit the rose garden, waterfall and art exhibits situated in and around the park with relative ease. The main consideration about the park concerns accessible parking and routes. Judging the recent construction of the park and its facilities, our on-site survey revealed that the park was accessible and adhered to the state and federal codes. There is ample disabled parking spaces situated next to the path of travel, beginning at the Iagoon which continues in and all arouad the park. The Civic Center Park offers a tot lot and playground area strategically positioned close to shady areas. We do not have disabled-friendly playgraund equipment. The jungle gym and plsyground equipment will be modified or added at a future date and these modifications will be built into a long-range alteratioa plaa. Staff recommends looking into including a surface material matt to allow wheelchair access onto the . 7 playground. Acceptable playground surfacing materials must be implemented according to their shock absorbing capacity. Staff recommends pending additional investigation that this be implemented as a long-term alteration built into the general modification plan. A recreation center is in progress and is due for completion in July 1993. This center and adjacent parking lot construction follow all state building code requirements as well as ADA Accessibility Guidelines. Any future construction will take into account ADA requirements. Staff recommends that more public telephones be installed on the community park grounds. The Civic Center Park has one public telephone located on an accessible route next to the YMCA. The YMCA facility is leased by the City of Palm Deserc. Staff believes that at least two more public telephones should be placed in the community park that adhere to the position, height and voice control features required of ADAAG. The public telephone in place next to the YMCA should ha�e a voice control feature added to it as well. CDRPORATION YARD The new Corporation Yard is located at 74-796 Velie Way, Palm Desert. The Corporation Yard is not an area frequente@ by visitors. Many af che requirements for the other facilities and buildings do not epply or do not make sense for the Corp Yard. The Corp Yard maintains 22 employees. Tom Theobold, the Maintenance Services Manager has listed some post-escrow items that will take effect by June 28, 1993. These alterations will take into account the federal requirements of ADA, as deemed necessary. These consist of the following: 1) One unisex handicap accessible restroom. All the required measurements of clear space and position of toilet, toilet paper dispenser and flush controls will be adapted for use of this restroom by disabled persons. The doors will be changed to accommodate for a required width space of 36". Sinks and mirrors in this restroom will also be installed accordiug to accessibilicy requirements. 2) Two doors in the ofYice area will be replaced with 3' wide assemblies. All doors will be changed and accommodate for a 36" wide clear path ( width at present is 36") and single motion lever-type hardware will be installed throughout the building. 3) All drinking fountains (2) will be changed to provide handicap accessible size, heights, widths, clesrance and position measurements. 4) Parking lot area will be completely re-peved to make it a level ground surface. The area will be striped and provide one handicap accessible space directly in front of the entrance door. Appropriate signage will be inscalled to indicate locatioa of hgadicap space. 8 A lounge will be built on the second floor strictly for employee use. In the future, an elevator coul@ be installed to accommodate any disabled employee who wauld need to use the lounge. This remains as a possible future modification to be implemented according to the funds available to do so. Such modification wili not take place until such a need exists. PUBLIC LIBRARY The Public Library is situated at 45-480 Poriola, Palm Desert. It is a 30-year old building that the City of Palm Desert purchased for use as a library. It is a one-story building, approximately 4500 square feet. Plans are underway to make specific alterations to the building, taking into consideration accessibility standards. Primary modifications relate to adding a unisex restroom which will meet accessibility standards. The library parking lot consists of 26 spaces plus 2 additional spaces designated for the disabied. The parking Iot needs to be re-paved and re-striped as the pavement is very uneven and broken up in spots. Also the lines for striping have faded. An upright sign displaying the universal accessibility symbol is situated in front of the handicap space and is clearly visible. Accessible routes are provided from public streets and sidewalks and from accessible parking stops. There are no existing transportation stops close to the City Library. An accessible passenger loading zone will be adapted to make available e pick up and . drop off point for disabled persons. It will be situated along an accessible route within the boundary of the site. The surface of the route all around the buildi.ng is made with a medium light broom finish and is slip-resistant. The running slope of the route to the side of the library is less than I:20 and has no cross-slope gTeater than 1:50 but this is not the case with the running slope of the route to the back of the building. This will be modified to follow the measurements as stated above. The ramp should come up another 6 feet (preseatly 10 ft.) to add enough clear space and create a gentler slope for a wheelchair. Staff recommends this be modified. The route to the side of the building has bushes that extend into the path of travel. This is easily remedied by trimming the bushes regularly; therefore freeing the path of travel from protruding objects that normally reduce the clear space and maneuveri.ng width. One accessible route has a large book return bin directly on the path of travel or sidewalk. Users can park their car temporarily in front of this bin and quickly throw their books in the bin. There is barely 36" clear width space for one wheel chair to travel through. Staff would recommend removing the bin from the path of travel completely, placi.ng it on a paved level square block situated to the left of one of the routes leading to the entrance. Drivers would have to take 5 more steps towards the bin to return their books and the path of travei would be clear. Signage does not exist to indicate accessible entr�nces. Signs indicating different book areas are not in raised or brailled eharacters. Staff recommends installing signs to indicate accessible entrances. Staff does not believe it is feasible to install 9 hraille or raised letters on signs indicating different book areas. Due to the small size of the library, staff believes that any individual, vision-impaired or blind could easily be assisted by the library staff. The directory is situated above the water fountain within the entrance doors. Any person approaching within 3" of the directary would be standing within the swing of the front doors. The directory is not in an accessible format. Staff recommends changing it to an accessible format. No signage in accessible formats exists to indicate location of restrooms. Staff recommends this be installed. Of the two exit doors, one is blocked by a cement trash can and does not have a sign indicating it is an egress door. The secondary entrance door has door handles. Both doors have panic bars on theat. Staff recommends adding the appropriate signage in accessible formats for each of the areas lacking signage and moving the trash can blocking one of the exit doors. There is one set of male/female restrooms. These restrooms do not comply with any of the width, height or position measurements required by ADA guidelines. The toilets measure 15" (should be between 17" - 19" high), door handles require a twisting motion (not operable with a single motion), and there is a lack of clear floor space far wheelchair turnaround. Plans are underway to construct another restroom that will be designated as handicap accessible and will be located on en accessible route, if the study tables and chairs and photocopier are rearranged to clear the pathway sufficiently. Staff recogni2es that due to limited space within the library structure, rearranging of tables and chairs will help though not completely eliminate the access problems. One drinking fountain is provided directly to the right and inside the entrance doors. It is on an accessible route but does not provide adequate clear space. Someone drinking from the fountain would block the entrance way. The spout outlet is 4" higher than the minimum 36" required height. The controls are not easy to use and require some grasping to operate. A small stool is situated underneath the fountain for children to climb upon for a drink. Staff recommends installing a new fountain tha.t is situated low enough to accommodate a wheelcY�ir and which complies with hardware and other measurement requirements. Staff also recommends positioning the fountain further in away from the entrance door to discontinue blocking the entranee way. All entry, exit and reatroom doors have a clear opening of 32" and provide clear maneuvering space. The bars on the front and back doors are push-type though not easily operable. The restroom doars have handles operable by a twisting motion. Staff recommends changing the door hardware on the restroom doors that comply and make opening the doors easier for disabled and non-disabled ali.ke. The library provides one public pay telephone situated outside and to the right of the entrance doors. This phone does not comply with the required dimensions for side and front approach. Volume controls and a telephone hearing aid are not provided. Controls are push-button and the cord length is at least 29". Staff recommends we retrofit the public telephone now in existence that will comply with all requirements. More than 5$of all tables and study carrels comply with clear knee space and height measurements. Clear approach spaces are provided ia book aisles but not for the 20 circular bookstands situated ihroughout the library. They are closely bunched up and do not allow for easy movement between or around the bookstands. A computer catalog is provided and does not comply with the 36" minimum clear aisle space and � maximum preferred reach height of 48". Staff recommends rearranging the circular bookstands to create the minimum clear approach and maneuvering space and lowering the height of the computer catalog so that wheelcha.ir access is possible. Staff duly notes that the construction of the new library will comply with all access requirements. ADA AWAAENESS C011�ITTEE FINDINGS The ADA Awareness Comauttee met at the Civic Center to discuss the Transition Plan draft and take a tour af the facilities and buildings inventoried. Staff greatly appreciated their participation and involvement as many suggestions were made from a perspective staff could only guess at. One suggestion considered putting in place a tactile map of the Civic Center Park so that individuals who were visually impaired or blind could have some idea of the layout and where the path would lead. Another issue concerned raised lettering. It was suggested that restroom doors could have a raised "W" indicating a women's restroom and a raised "M" for a men's restroom. Also, all restroom doors should have the universal symbol for men/women restrooms; a women's 12" diameter circle and a men's equilateral triangle 12" each side should be placed on the front restroom doors. These symbols should be centered 60" above the floor on the door. The restrooms in the Civic Center Park have this kind of signage and we recommend placing this on all resiroom doors in the Civic Center ' buildings as well. Members of the ADA Awareness Committee suggested that signage needs to be placed in the park indicating the location of restrooms, public phones and other park services. For instance, close to the pavilion eating areas, signs could be placed there to indicate the location of the nearest restroom and/or public telephone. The directory should be visible from cars. If it was positioaed in an up-right fashion facing the traffic with raised, black lettering and not facing the sky, it would be clearly visible from a car and someone wha is mobility impaired would not have to get in and out of his or her car more than on�e to figure out where he or she needed to go. Also, if positioned facing the traffic, the heat would not fade the lettering nor make the braille section too hot to touch. Again, directories with raised lettering and braille should be installed in each building near the entrance doors and offices. This would aid blind and visually- impaired individuals, directing them to the proper office or iziformation area. It was suggested that a sidewalk should be constructed the short distance between the basketball courts and volleybell courts that would allow for easy wheelchair access from the main travel path. Right now, one must walk through grass and gravel to trevel between these courts. It was also suggested that a volleyball court be added with a hard surface area. Cresting one volleyball court with a hard surface would allow wheelchair bound individuals to use the court and also provide a service to those individuals who prefer to play on a harder surface. Richard 8eynolds, a member of the committee, indicated to me that he kuows quite a few lI � people who would take advantage of a hard surface volleyball court and that no other exists in the valley. It would be a great service to the wheelchair hound population � of Palm Desert. Commitiee members indicated that a van accessible area should be so designated with the universal handicap accessibte symbol with black, clearly visible letters directiy beneath the symbol which read "Van Accessible". Members of the ADA Awareness Committee indicated that some confusion exists as to whether a handicap parking space is van accessible or not and suggested that clear and simple wording to that effect directly beneath the pictograph would help immensety. The committee suggested that something needed to be done to eliminate illegal parking in handicap spaces. They suggested we send a letter to the Sheriff's office strongly recommending stricter enforcement and citing of illegal parking. They also suggested police officers could leave information cards on the windshields that would inform the offender how to recognize handicap spaces and why it is an offense to park in them. These informatian cards are available through the State Office Department of Rehabilitation and we are looking into obtaining these cards. Another problem cited was the run-off from sidewalks in the park area. This could create a hazard for wheelchairs, people on crutches or very young and elderly persons walking there. Some kind of garden border should be placed at the edge of the sandy area so that the run-off from rain or sprinklers does not create muddy or slippery areas on the sidewalk. One other important suggestion staff felt they should mention concerns the transportation system in Pa1m Deseri. Members of the committee felt that many bus stop areas did not provide a proper place to sit or stand and that this was hazardous to individuals with disabilities. Staff suggested sending e letter to Sunline, citing the problems as seen by our committee and recommending ihat they address the problem. Overall, the ADA Awareness Committee was pleased to see the City of Pslm Desert addressing the problems the disabled citizens of this valley face in a manner that was sensitive and helpful to them. Staff believes this committee played a vital part in implementing a transition plaa that would adequately address the important issues faced by our disabted and elderly commuruty. F�LOYMENT PgACTICES In addition to accessibility, the ADA also requires that employment practices be free from discriminating against the disabled. Staff developed a comprehensive employment practices checklist to evaluate current policies and practices at the City of Palm Desert. Staff has determined that our present policies and practices reflect a general concern for all employees and applicants with regards to ability, not disability. Nevertheless, some minor changes will be undertaken with little or no difficulty. Presently, job announcements are not accessible to persons with a hearing andlor vision impairment and our job notices are not available in braille or large print. Staff recommends implementing an ADA Job Hotline that will address both problems. 22 A Job Hotline would have pre-recorded empioyment related messages which could assist both the disabled and non-disabled communities. � Application procedures are not available in accessible formats i.e. , cassette versions of written materials for an applicant with a hearing impairment. Staff recommends continuing to deal with appiicants on a case-by-case basis. The application procedure and interviewing process will be adapted for each applicant on a case-by- case basis, according to their specific disability. Application forms are free from all discriminatory language. At the top of the application form directly beneath the address reads a statement by the City of Palrn Desert declaring: "The City of Palm Desert is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages women, rrunorities, and the disabled to apply for open positions. Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability". In the Personal Information section the City of Palm Desert application form said: "The City seeks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Do you have any disability which would require reasonable accommodation in the application process or in the work place? (If yes, please explain) Staff recommends changing the wording of that statement to reflect nan- � discriminatory language and wording: "The City seeks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please notify the Human Resource department if you require a reasonable accoarmodation in the application process". Interview personnel are well-versed in the agency's ADA compliance obligations. Interview questions reflect the essential functions of the job being applied for and are asked of each of the applicants in the same manner. Applicants are usually interviewed by a panel (i.e. , ihree member panel) involving the Director of Human Resources and two others who have experience directly related to the job being applied for. Employment tests are administered for jobs that require a kuowledge of the level of skill of the applicant in a particular area of expertise. Typically, for clerical positions a typing test is administered. All tests accurately reflect the skills necessary to successfully perform the job duties as found in the job description. If testing is done, the goal is to test for specific and necessary skills according to the essential job duties. Testing procedures accurately reflect the ability of the applicant to perform the "essential functions" of the job. Staff has developed a policy statement and procedure to provide reasonable accommodation. The Human Besources Department is the designated party that will 13 be responsible for record keeping, evaluating and approving or denying requests for reasonable accommodations. The ADA Job Hotiine will also provide information about the availability and procedure to request reasonable accommodation. Staff recommends including a procedure for documenting decisions to approve or deny reasonable accommodation requests because of undue hardship. This pracedure wiil require that the Director of Human Resources look at each request and approve or disapprove it with documented reason(s). l�tedical exams are required of new employees as a condition of employment ONLY AFTER AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT has been made and only if it is required of all new employees. Once the new employee has been offered a job, he or she must compFete a medical exam and the results of that exam are then filed into a separate medical file. if the medical exam results show that the employee has medical problems that significantly limit the individual in performing the "essential functions" of the job, then the City of Palm Desert as the employer must decide whether to discontinue employment for that individual or provide a reasonable accommodation, if a reasonable acco�nmodation can be provided. The City of Palm Desert provides city vehicles to its' employees for all city-related business. At present, city vehicles (cars, pickups and vans) cannot accommodate a wheelchair. Purchasing an accessible van or car will have to be assessed at a future time, if the need for one ever arose. Staff formulated a Complaints Procedure that incorporates due process standards and provides for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints of discriaunation. Staff recommends that the complaints procedure be adopted by resolution. 14 SUMMARY SITE CHECK LOCATION CURRENT PENDING CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION Civic Center parking 4 handicap spaces out of "van accessible" space lot 76 allotted spaces striped blue; curb cut & ramp to be built from closest handicap space to entrance; block dots on vehicular ath Civic Center route paved & level sidewalk move mailbox to clear leading to entrance pethway for 36" widtYc s ace Civic Center signage old directory structure new directory structure lettering faded & or information kiosk, information very positioned facing traffic inaccessible w/raised lettering & braille; accessible directories placed inside or near entrances Council Chambers two telephones available equip Council Chamber telephones for public use phones w/a volume control & hearing device capability w/proper signage indicating availabilit Council Chambers non-existent assistive equip Council Chambers listening device listening device w/portable or permanent assistive listening system w/signage indicating availabilit Civic Center present co�}struction insulate hot water & drain restrooms complies • pipes in all restrooms; place tri,angle sign for men and circle for women's restrooms 60" above floor Council Chambers tile is not slip-resistant; replace tiles a�aking them stairs handrails on only one sfde slip-resistant; add new of the staircase handrails on both sides of each staircase descending into seatin area Council Chambers 142 seats w/free spaces include folding or seating for wheelchair access in removable armrest for front and back rows one fixed seat on an aisle for wheelchair access Civic Center doors door knobs in older replace door knobs building construction; w/lever-type or push- � difficult to open all type hardware as in NW entrance doors Bldg doors; adjust all closures to increase efficacy of opening doors from inside/outside Civic Center seating basic compliance met; rearrange tables in & tables tables in lounge area lounge area to create creating congested area in clear space (30"x48") in front of vendin machine front of vendin machine Civic Center all incoming calls through modify switchboard receptionist phone & switchboard system to include a TDD over counter phone device or text telephone device w/signage service indicating availability; provide a public over the counter phone at each service counter w/voice control &I or hearing aid com atibilit Library parking lot 2 handicap spaces out of re-pave, re-stripe 26 allotted spaces; parking lot to eradicate pavement cracked & ��eked lot neven and broken u Library route leading ramp & slope for slope to be increased another 6ft. from original to entry & exit door wheelchair access lOft. to create gentler in back of bldg slo e & more s ace Library sidewalk barely 36" width access move book return bin route from sidewalk to front fr°ed e el q are tefi of entrance �t�Ce �ute Library restrooms 1 male/female restroom; new unisex handicap older construction accessible resiroom w/proper signage on doors Library water 1 water fountai.n replace w/new handicap fountain positioned inside front accessible water fountain doors to the right; moving it further away hardware & position frnm entrance doors inaccessible Library doors entry & exit doors replace door hardware on . . pushbar hardware; door restroom & new accessible knobs on restroom doors; restroom; place proper no sign indicating egress signage indicating egress door; cement trash can door; move cement trash blocking back exit door can to allow access/e ess Library seating & basic compliance met; creative rearranging of tables tables set up encroaches some tables & chairs to upon pathways decreasing allow clear path to amount of travel space restrooms & other areas of librar Library public phone public phone outside front retrofit phone with entrance doors to the vo�ume control device and right compatible hearing aid device Library signage directory on wall inside & replace directory in an to the right of entranee accessible format with doors; hanging signs braille & raised letters; within library designating include signage outside different book areas indicating accessible entrances Corp Yard parking lot uneven paved lot with re-pave, re-stripe, add some stripiug on handicap accessible s ace w/si e Corp Yard restrooms present construction old & construction of unisex inaccessible handicap accessible restroom for em lo ees Corp Yard water 2 water fountains; older replace w/2 new handicap fountains structures accessible water fountains Corp Yard doors hardware requires replace doors & hardware turning hand motion; door (similar to Civic Center width slightly too small Hldg doors); replace w/3" wide assemblies Civic Center Park one pay phone next to recommend adding voice public telephones & YMCA facility control feature to YMCA signage phone; add two more handicap accessible public telephoaes on city park grounds; tactile asa of ark installed Civic Center Park jungle gym & playground add handicap accessible playground equipment in sandy Iot playground equipment & area surface material matt in sand area