INGALLS — An inspection shows Interurban Park is tops on Ingalls’ list of public places needing improvements to become compliant to the Americans With Disabilities Act.
A representative from Triad Associates Inc. of Indianapolis, which conducted the work, reported to the board at the Jan. 27 Ingalls Town Council meeting.
After an ADA complaint cited the town for not having proper wheelchair accommodations at the town’s fire station, the U.S. Department of Justice had asked for an inventory of all public places in Ingalls.
The complaint originated the night of the Nov. 5 election, during which voting was moved by Madison County Election Board from Town Hall to the town’s fire station.
Currently, the park does not have a pathway, nor wheelchair accessible ramp, to the restroom — nor compliant pathways to shelters.
It also needs improved markings for parking spots for those with disabilities.
“That’s where we are going to have probably as much to do as anything,” council President Scot Lawyer said of updates to the park, located just off State Road 67 at 238 W. Menden Road. “Right now (the pathway) is nothing but a path with mulch in it.”
The report also included needed updates for the fire station.
Plan commission appointment
Lawyer is still looking to appoint a new member to the town planning commission.
He told the council efforts so far have been unsuccessful in finding a replacement for Dennis Cozart. The town accepted Cozart’s resignation at the end of 2019.
“I’ve been searching and continue to strike out,” Lawyer told the board.
He said he plans to reach out to some of the town’s new neighborhoods to see if there’s any interest and is hopeful to have the appointment ready for the council’s next meeting, Feb. 10.
Town manager position
Ingalls has started its town manager hiring process.
At the end of January, the council met to discuss the position and the job description.
“We want to define the role and start taking applications and try to get that moved forward,” Lawyer said.
Previous town manager Frank Owens resigned from the position on Aug. 5, 2019, after holding the position for four months.
