In response to a resident request and direction by Mayor Steven Ellis at the Nov. 8 City Council meeting, the City would like to provide the rationale behind the selection of the Civic Center’s new accessible lectern, housed in the Council Chambers.
The original design of the Council Chambers’ dais sat six people, housed all the equipment for an extensive audio/visual system, featured a built-in lectern and was located in a smaller room.
To better accommodate attendance at various meetings as well as all City boards, councils and commissions, the dais was enlarged to seat nine people and the room was doubled in size. Due to the increased size of the dais, the lectern was changed to a free-standing portable version that would house all the equipment necessary for the room A/V systems.
City staff and the Civic Center project architect reached out to lectern vendors but unfortunately did not receive timely responses to requests for design and specifications. To keep the project timeline in motion, staff received quotes for the lectern from the project’s A/V sub-contractor.
Recognizing the obligation of accessibility compliance to all individuals addressing the City Council and City boards and commissions, the lectern was designed to meet the needs of individuals regardless of physical abilities. To meet these standards, staff requested guidance from the vendor for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
(Read more: City of Spring Hill news)