MONROE - The City of Monroe Board of Public Works voted Monday to rescind an order to install a concrete handicapped ramp in the 1100 block of 16th Avenue, and voted instead to spend up to $1,400 to help install future ramps to avoid setting a precedent.
As a result, the current steps to The Barbers II will remain, for now. The new sidewalk will be poured around the steps.
The Common Council voted Aug. 18 to approve the change order, increasing the total contract with E & N Hughes by $11,250.
But Monday, the board learned the city would be setting a precedence.
The ramp's width would have extended into the city sidewalk area, but serves the private property. If the city put in the ramp as part of the downtown streetscape project, other property owners could legally require the city continue the practice.
It is the property owner's responsibility to comply with the American with Disability Act, according to City Attorney Rex Ewald.
Ewald recommended the board "cautiously or not at all" approve the city to pay the cost of the ramp. He also recommended the city retain the right of way, with authority to have the ramp removed from public property in the future if necessary.
Rather than continue with the change order, which had not yet been signed by Mayor Ron Marsh or City Clerk Carol Stamm, Alderman Dan Henke made the motion to rescind the order and made a new motion to use the $1,400 toward the cost of the ramp and leave the rest of the construction costs to the property owner.
As a result, the current steps to The Barbers II will remain, for now. The new sidewalk will be poured around the steps.
The Common Council voted Aug. 18 to approve the change order, increasing the total contract with E & N Hughes by $11,250.
But Monday, the board learned the city would be setting a precedence.
The ramp's width would have extended into the city sidewalk area, but serves the private property. If the city put in the ramp as part of the downtown streetscape project, other property owners could legally require the city continue the practice.
It is the property owner's responsibility to comply with the American with Disability Act, according to City Attorney Rex Ewald.
Ewald recommended the board "cautiously or not at all" approve the city to pay the cost of the ramp. He also recommended the city retain the right of way, with authority to have the ramp removed from public property in the future if necessary.
Rather than continue with the change order, which had not yet been signed by Mayor Ron Marsh or City Clerk Carol Stamm, Alderman Dan Henke made the motion to rescind the order and made a new motion to use the $1,400 toward the cost of the ramp and leave the rest of the construction costs to the property owner.