COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

July 12, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 30, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Accessibility Modifications & Restroom Facilities, Flood County Park - Menlo Park Area

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution adopting Plans and Specifications, determining prevailing wage scales and calling for sealed proposals for Accessibility Modifications and Restroom Facilities at Flood County Park.

Key Facts

1.

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The Act guarantees disabled persons equal access to public services.

2.

The criteria used to evaluate ADA projects was parking, site accessibility, entry to County facilities and buildings, use of public park amenities and recreational facilities, restrooms, and drinking fountains.

Discussion

County staff trained by the Center for Independence of the Disabled surveyed all County buildings for compliance with ADA. The Commission on Disabilities' ADA Compliance Committee reviewed the surveys and established priority facilities for ADA improvements County-wide. This scope of work is listed in the San Mateo County Transition Plan approved by the County Manager in October of 1996. The ADA Compliance Committee then made site visits, reviewed the surveys for these County facilities, identified and prioritized the deficiencies that in their judgment and with the approval of the Compliance Committee, were the most important to correct. The scope of work for this phase was established and based on pre-design estimates.

The proposed work includes:

·

Add new park entrance gate and pathway from the southwest corner of park adjacent to public transportation.

·

Resurface and realign pathways for better accessibility and access to park amenities, recreational facilities, picnic and barbeque areas.

·

Replace public restrooms with modular prefabricated accessible restrooms.

·

Provide accessible drinking fountains and water hose bibs.

·

Add various accessibility and directional signs.

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with Goal Number 7, "maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors" of the Shared Vision Commitment to "ensure basic health and safety for all," as the installation will remove architectural barriers to improve accessibility to County facilities and services.

Fiscal Impact

The engineer's estimate for the work is $265,000. The project will be partially financed with the $166,000 that has been reappropriated in the Capital Project Budget for Flood County Park. The Parks and Recreation Division of the Environmental Services Agency has also qualified for a $175,000 grant from the State of California (Roberti-Z'Berg-Harris Urban Open-Space & Recreation Program) and we will coordinate with Parks to bring a final budget change to increase the appropriation in the Capital Project Budget to reflect this grant financing before a contract is awarded for the work.

A form of resolution has been approved by County Counsel.