MONROE - City Council member Jan Lefevre wants to know why the steps in front of Amcore Bank don't meet state standards.
This was the second problem associated with the Streetscape program. Work in the ally behind businesses on the west side of the Square, July 20, caused businesses and the Monroe Public Library to evacuate for several hours.
The steps in front of the bank, which were poured recently as part of the Streetscape program for the downtown, have slight inclines in between the steps. Those inclines could pose a tripping hazard to people, Lefevre said.
Lefevre measured the inclines and said they don't meet requirements for people who are disabled.
"They don't meet the state codes," she said.
According to the United States Department of Commerce, all steps must have risers of at least four inches with a maximum height of seven inches. Some of the rises on the steps don't meet those requirements.
"I want to see the blueprints and I want to know who signed off on this," Lefevre said. "I want to know if it was approved by the state."
Lefevre said if she doesn't find out the answers to her questions she will contact the state to make sure it is aware the steps aren't up to codes.
Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh said Fehr-Graham and Associates, the engineering firm overseeing the project, designed the steps. Marsh said he didn't give final approval for the plans.
"I didn't look at the plans," Marsh said. "I'm not an engineer."
Ryan Wilson, of Fehr-Graham, said there were a couple alternative designs for the steps. He said no one from the city gave final approval for the plans.
"The city didn't look at every detail of the plan," Wilson said. "That's not their job."
Wilson's comment came as a surprise to Lefevre.
"The plans should have been submitted to us," she said.
Marsh said he didn't know what will be done about the steps, nor did he know who would pay to replace the steps if they need to be replaced.
"I'm not going to comment on that," Marsh said, after he, Wilson, City Attorney Rex Ewald, City engineer Al Gerber and Director of Public Works Kelly Finkenbinder looked at the steps.
Marsh said the issue would have to go to the Monroe Board of Public Works but he didn't say when it would be discussed by the board.
Gerber said the steps might have to be replaced, but he added, it would be up to the Board of Public Works to make a final decision.
Lefevre said the issue with the steps needs to be resolved before the sidewalks are poured.
Amcore Bank spokesperson Katherine Taylor said the matter is between the city and its contractor.
"The city is handling it," she said.
This was the second problem associated with the Streetscape program. Work in the ally behind businesses on the west side of the Square, July 20, caused businesses and the Monroe Public Library to evacuate for several hours.
The steps in front of the bank, which were poured recently as part of the Streetscape program for the downtown, have slight inclines in between the steps. Those inclines could pose a tripping hazard to people, Lefevre said.
Lefevre measured the inclines and said they don't meet requirements for people who are disabled.
"They don't meet the state codes," she said.
According to the United States Department of Commerce, all steps must have risers of at least four inches with a maximum height of seven inches. Some of the rises on the steps don't meet those requirements.
"I want to see the blueprints and I want to know who signed off on this," Lefevre said. "I want to know if it was approved by the state."
Lefevre said if she doesn't find out the answers to her questions she will contact the state to make sure it is aware the steps aren't up to codes.
Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh said Fehr-Graham and Associates, the engineering firm overseeing the project, designed the steps. Marsh said he didn't give final approval for the plans.
"I didn't look at the plans," Marsh said. "I'm not an engineer."
Ryan Wilson, of Fehr-Graham, said there were a couple alternative designs for the steps. He said no one from the city gave final approval for the plans.
"The city didn't look at every detail of the plan," Wilson said. "That's not their job."
Wilson's comment came as a surprise to Lefevre.
"The plans should have been submitted to us," she said.
Marsh said he didn't know what will be done about the steps, nor did he know who would pay to replace the steps if they need to be replaced.
"I'm not going to comment on that," Marsh said, after he, Wilson, City Attorney Rex Ewald, City engineer Al Gerber and Director of Public Works Kelly Finkenbinder looked at the steps.
Marsh said the issue would have to go to the Monroe Board of Public Works but he didn't say when it would be discussed by the board.
Gerber said the steps might have to be replaced, but he added, it would be up to the Board of Public Works to make a final decision.
Lefevre said the issue with the steps needs to be resolved before the sidewalks are poured.
Amcore Bank spokesperson Katherine Taylor said the matter is between the city and its contractor.
"The city is handling it," she said.