Aldermen debate handicap parking

Corey Noles photo Mayor Joe Weber presents a plaque to Mack Patrick honoring him for 10 years of service to the sanitation department.

The Monday night meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen heard a lengthy debate on the installation of a handicap parking space in the downtown area.

At the request of a local business owner, the board had an ordinance prepared to discuss the addition of a space on the west side of Sassafras immediately north of the intersection of Stoddard and Sassafras.

Before the discussion began, Aldermen Kirby Taylor wanted his opinion on the issue out front.

Taylor said where the proposed location was would leave handicapped patrons some 31 steps from the door of the business in question.

"Let's have the handicap [parking space] right in front of the business," Taylor said.

That comment sparked discussion on whether it would be possible to place it on Stoddard St., given the space restrictions.

City Administrator Mark Stidham noted that all handicap parking spaces downtown have to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, which requires them to be wheelchair accessible as well.

Creating a compliant space on Stoddard St. in front of the business in question would mean either removing curb space or taking up two parking spots.

When Alderman Rick Hux questioned to what extent handicap people use the facility, it was noted that this move was mainly to accommodate one person.

After that it was discussed that if the business owners would park behind the building themselves, it would alleviate a large portion of their parking problems and make it unnecessary to change the spaces.

One local businessman who would be affected by the change, Phil Ternes, attended the meeting and discussed other potential solutions and explained the parking situation for their facility.

The board decided to have Stidham contact the businesses on the adjoining corners and see about the possibility of placing a handicap spot on another corner.

There was no vote on the issue.

In other business:

* The Public Safety Committee appointed Greg Ulm as a paid on call fireman to fill a recent vacancy.

* The Tourism Committee will meet this Thursday at 7 p.m. at Fiddlers in Dexter.