PRESENTER: Presenter
Scott McClelland, Assistant Transportation and Construction Services Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider the approval of the Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Construction Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that protects the civil rights of people with disabilities and ensures they can use and benefit from public programs, services, and facilities. For the City of New Braunfels, this means providing accessible sidewalks, buildings, parks, and other public spaces and resources that people use every day. It also includes ensuring the City’s websites and digital information are accessible, and that clear policies and procedures are in place to respond to accommodation requests and address accessibility concerns.
Developing an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan is required for public agencies under Title II of the ADA. Federal and state oversight agencies provide general guidance to local governments regarding the need for periodic updates to city ADA Transition Plans due to changing environments, growth, and technological advancements. Cities must monitor and track their activities and programs to ensure compliance with the ADA. Updating the ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan helps the City continuously review and improve the accessibility of its public spaces, services, and digital resources as they change. Developing and maintaining the Transition Plan over time allows the City to identify new programs or activities, review changing physical and digital conditions, and update policies, procedures, or training to continue promoting improved access for people living with disabilities.
In 2019, the City began developing the ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for adoption through a phased process. The City determined this phased approach was the most feasible due to the project's comprehensive scope and available funding. Early phases of the Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan update included policy and procedure evaluations and limited self-evaluations. In fiscal year 2025, funding was allocated to complete all remaining phases of the Transition Plan, including full facility and park assessments, digital assessments, finalizing department policy reviews, conducting public outreach, creating an implementation plan, and assembling a final Transition Plan report.
This report discusses the City’s collection efforts, latest findings, and planned future efforts for accessibility-related improvements for the City of New Braunfels. The report also provides technical information regarding the City’s obligations and planning-level commitments for future improvements.
The ADA Transition Plan is intended to function as a living document. The City will continue to monitor conditions, respond to accommodation requests, update policies and procedures, and coordinate across departments and with external agencies to improve accessibility over time. Through this Plan, the City of New Braunfels affirms its commitment to equal treatment, transparency, and continuous improvement in ensuring that residents and visitors with disabilities can fully participate in and benefit from City programs, services, and activities.
ISSUE:
Federal law requires adopting and maintaining an ADA Transition Plan.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
Complete an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan
FISCAL IMPACT:
The ADA Transition Plan includes an Implementation Schedule (Appendix F) of planned projects utilizing various funding sources; however, approval of the ADA Transition Plan does not obligate City Council to any specific funding. All project funding will be approved following City policies.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of the Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.