(3/5) The Emmitsburg Town Council approved several ordinances at their March 2 meeting to help pave the way for a $700 thousand upgrade of 117 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant, sidewalk curb-ramps.
In the pursuit of grant money to pay for the upgrade, the commissioners also had to promise the town would not authorize the use of excessive force by police during non-violent civil rights demonstrations.
Town Planner Zach Gulden said, "I've been working on a substantial grant to replace 117 curb-ramps throughout town." He said, "Thirty-five are located within the actual Main Street area and off-streets there, and the remaining are located in all the developments, North Gate, South Gate, etcetera, and also in front of the schools."
In order for the town to qualify to receive money for the upgrades through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the municipality is required to adopt a set of three ordinances. CDBGs are funded by the federal government, who distribute the money among the states. The states then, in turn, manage the CDBGs at the state-level.
The amount being sought by the town in order to fund the ADA-compliant ramp upgrades could possibly cost "almost $700,000," Gulden stated.
The first of the three ordinances adopted by the board to comply with CDBG requirements is intended to ensure transparency in the application process. This includes the assurance of holding public meetings regarding the use of the CDBG grant money and establishes a grievance process.
The second ordinance is intended to ensure that residents living in any home damaged during the construction of any project be provided with "relocation assistance," if the home is rendered uninhabitable as a result. Relocation could entail moving expenses and replacement housing payments for up to 42 months.
Gulden stated the second ordinance "really does not have anything to do with our project... But, however, we still have to pass this resolution."
The third and final ordinance entails the town providing assurance that police acting on behalf of the municipality do not engage in "the use of excessive force... against any individuals engaged in nonviolent civil rights demonstrations, and to enforce applicable state and local laws against physically barring entrance or exit from a facility or location which is the subject of such
nonviolent civil rights demonstration..."
In reference to the third ordinance, Commissioner Joseph Ritz, III, said, "I just find this odd."
Gulden said the ordinance requiring the town to ensure they will not allow "the use of excessive force," in conjunction with civil rights demonstrations, stems from an executive order dating back to 1974 and was never rescinded. "It's just one of those conditions they (federal government) placed on their grants."
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