Sacramento Disabilities Advisory Commission 8/7/2024

The City of Sacramento Disabilities Advisory Commission met on August 7, 2024. The commission heard a presentation on two Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) projects: an intersection improvement at Rio Linda Boulevard and a corridor project on Valley Hi Drive and Lancha Way. Proposed work includes accessible curb ramps and pedestrian signals, crosswalk and lighting improvements, lane reductions, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian refuge or median treatments. Both projects were in design and right-of-way phases, expected to be completed by December, with construction scheduled to begin in the first half of 2025. Staff said HSIP funding is federally supported and awarded based on safety data and cost-benefit criteria. Commissioners raised questions about accessible signal features; staff took away the need to check that selected equipment serves users with varied disabilities. No contract award, vendor selection, or project dollar amount was reported.

The consent calendar was approved, and the commission voted to elect Vice Chair Crowley as chair for the remainder of 2024; selection of a vice chair was deferred to the September meeting. During commissioner comments, members noted that accessibility improvements to the council-chamber doors had encountered contracting challenges, and raised the need to consider automatic access for public restroom doors as well. No procurement decision or spending motion was taken on those items.