Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: {{section.number}}A
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: November 21, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: John Ferons, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: Rosalba Ramirez, Deputy Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution Number 23-4237 Approving a Professional Services Agreement with PM Design Group, Inc. for the Certified Access Specialist review of the Town’s currently adopted ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for a contract amount of $73,000 and authorizing the Town Manager to execute the agreement.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
Resolution Number 15-3285 of the Town Council adopted the Town’s Self Evaluation and Transition Plan (SETP). That plan was prepared pursuant to federal ADA requirements whereby the Town is obligated to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Town’s physical facilities, public policies, and public programs for equal accessibility for all members of the public. The adoption of Resolution Number 15-3285 determined that the Town’s ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan was complete and acceptable for implementation, directed staff to provide for phased implementation of SETP improvements as approved by the Council during the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgeting process, and became effective in full force upon its adoption August 4, 2015.
The adopted SETP guides the Town to develop barrier removal solutions to provide access to all public facilities to all individuals and sets forth specific projects necessary to be completed over a predicted schedule. Along that schedule, each of those projects are integrated into the Capital Improvement Program via the annual budget process. Two of the locations identified in the SETP and integrated into the CIP are Three Weirs Park and Forrester Park, publicly owned lands within the Washington Park neighborhood. Each of those locations were identified as needing ADA Accessible Parking Stalls with the Three Weirs Park location also needing ADA improvements to the path to the bridge connected to the Hopper Creek Path System. As such those locations were integrated into the CIP as Community Project CP-0018; Forrester Park/Three Weirs Park ADA Improvements funded which is currently funded by grant funds specific to the ADA improvements.
As part of the CIP process specific to this project, Town staff has conducted various stakeholder meetings to present the project to the neighborhood and others who may be interested in the project. Those meetings consisted of three public workshops and a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. From those meetings, the Town received suggestions regarding the design of the proposed improvements based on the community input. Subsequently, revisions were made to the design intended to satisfy the concerns of the residents while still meeting the intent of the ADA SETP and accessibility to all.
However, as that project was going through the public engagement process, it became apparent that the Washington Park community has concerns about the need to implement this project at these two locations given other similar facilities located elsewhere in Town. As a result, on March 30th, Town Council received an email communication from members of the public in opposition to the ADA parking at Forrester Park and requesting the Town conduct a thorough investigation into the ADA “comparable facilities” provision in the “compliance standards”. This request is based on their group’s interpretation that the Town Attorney “could not emphatically determine that there were not comparable facilities available that would negate the need for ADA parking at Forrester Park and such a determination would require an analysis performed by an ADA Access Specialist.” The group further opined that this analysis, specifically for Forrester Park, is in their determination, the essential next step prior to expending capital improvement funds and energy on a project that may or may not be required at the Forrester Park location.
In response, Town Council requested and received an informational report at their August 1, 2023, Town Council meeting to discuss the current SETP along with ADA accessibility requirements town-wide as part of the specific discussion regarding the Three Weirs and Forrester Park ADA project. That presentation by Ernest Wuethrich, CASp Accessibility Program Manager for PM Design, stated that the Town’s adopted SETP was prepared by a reputable specialist and the measures therein are applicable based on the information available. Any revisions or deviations from that plan would require a thorough and detailed analysis of the adopted SETP along with the Town’s current policy, programs, and facilities.
At the meeting, Town Staff requested direction from Town Council regarding the existing ADA Transition Plan and accessibility at the proposed project sites and how the need may relate to other similar existing public facilities. Town Council then provided the following direction to staff:
• Create an assessment analysis with an accessibility expert and consultant to analyze all the parks in Town, including parking and program accessibility.
• Update or evaluate the ADA transition plan based on the assessment. • Pursue improvements to the ramp portion at Three Weirs Park and research if the grant would cover the cost of the improvements.
• Inspect the pathway area between Finnel Road and Yount Street before the Three Weirs Bridge for possible physical hazards.
Based on the direction provided by Council, staff created the following scope of work for the accessibility review of the town facilities by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp):
1. Conduct accessibility surveys specific to the following public park facilities:
• Yountville Community Park
• Vineyard Park
• Forrester Park
• Three Weirs Park
• Van de Leur Park
• Toyon Terrace Tot Lot
• Veterans Memorial Park
• Bardessono Park
• Hopper Creek Pocket Park
• Oak Circle Park
• Hopper Creek Path Yount Street to Champagne Drive
2. Evaluate Public Parking Facilities specific to the locations identified above.
3. Review the parks and recreation activity guide as well as the existing programs and activities provided at each location. The distinction of the program in terms of ADA accessibility and program in terms of recreational activity must be clearly defined.
4. The review of parks, Parking and Programs should evaluate the current level of program accessibility in comparison to the state and federal requirements of the ADA Act including:
• Review and analyze information provided by Town staff, • Review current Town policies,
• Evaluate the Town’s baseline condition for sidewalks and curb ramps in the public right of way. • Evaluate recreation facilities for accessibility compliance. • List parks, programs, facilities, and activities that are not accessible and those that are accessible. • Provide a list of locations that may not need accessibility in comparable facilities elsewhere in Town to satisfy the Town’s federal ADA obligations.
5. Develop Facility Reports for each site, detailing each item found to be in noncompliance. The reports will become the property of the Town of Yountville for future reference and update as needed.
6. Prepare an addenda to the existing Self Evaluation and Transition Plan to include the following:
• Review of findings of re-evaluation of programs, policies, facilities, and activities at each public park.
• Identify barriers and prioritize solutions.
• Recommend new policies.
7. Prepare and present a presentation of findings and a Questions and Answer session for Town Staff and Town Council to clarify information and finalize the process.
Staff received a complete proposal from Certified Access Specialist consultant PM Designs and is recommending Adoption of Resolution Number 23-4237 Approving a Professional Services Agreement with PM Design Group, Inc. for the Certified Access Specialist review of the Town’s currently adopted ADA SelfEvaluation and Transition Plan for a contract amount of $73,000 and authorizing the Town Manager to execute the agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Exempt per California Environmental Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15061(b)(3)
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? Yes
Is it Currently Budgeted? Yes
Where is it Budgeted? CP-0018 50-6000-5400
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Discretionary
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? Nominal
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Is item Identified in Strategic Plan? Yes
If yes, Identify Strategic Goal and Objective. Engaged Residents: The Town embraces our residents' commitment to community as seen through volunteerism, civic engagement, and public participation that enhances the quality of life in Yountville. Quality of Life: The Town enhances the livability of Yountville by providing well-maintained public facilities, parks, and trails, and quality programs and events.
Briefly Explain Relationship to Strategic Plan Goal and Objective. The Town hosted multiple public meetings inviting the public engaging residents to provide input into the ADA improvements in Washington Park to enhance their quality of life in Yountville. The Town’s ADA Self-Evaluation Plan and commitment to accessibility improvements ensure the quality of life provided by the Town does not discriminate and applies to all residents of all range of ability.