Source: https://www.ada.gov/bethlehem_ct_sa.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 21:01:07+00:00

Document:
Bethlehem is the public entity responsible for the Town Hall and Memorial Hall in Bethlehem, Connecticut. 28 C.F.R. § 35.104.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, a component of the United States Department of Justice (“United States”), opened an investigation regarding the Bethlehem Town Hall and Memorial Hall facilities, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§12131-12134, as amended. The United States initiated the investigation upon receipt of a complaint from an individual who alleged that both facilities were not accessible to individuals with mobility disabilities.
The United States is authorized to investigate alleged violations of Title II of the ADA, conduct compliance reviews of public entities, where appropriate, attempt informal resolution, and if informal resolution is not achieved and a violation found, issue a Letter of Findings to the public entity. 28 C.F.R. § 35.172. If the United States fails to secure voluntary compliance, the Attorney General is authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 12133 to bring a civil action enforcing Title II of the ADA.
The United States reviewed information provided by Bethlehem, and conducted a site visit of the Town Hall and Memorial Hall facilities, including their parking facilities, on February 27, 2018. The United States used the 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, 28 C.F.R. pt. 36, App. D, (“1991 Standards”) to determine compliance with the ADA’s requirements. 28 C.F.R. § 35.150(b)(2)(i). The results of the site visit were compiled into a report, which was shared with Bethlehem on September 18, 2018. The report revealed violations of the ADA’s requirements in both the Town Hall and Memorial Hall facilities. 42 U.S.C. § 12132. Pursuant to the ADA, all remedies to inaccessible features and elements of the facilities will conform with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, 28 C.F.R. § 35.104, (“2010 Standards”).
the signage designating the van accessible spaces contains the designation “van accessible” in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 216.5, 502.6.
Within nine months of the execution of this agreement, Bethlehem shall submit the design plan to the United States for approval. The United States shall approve or deny the plans within 30 days of submission. If the United States denies the plans, Bethlehem shall have 15 days to submit corrected plans to the United States for approval. Upon approval by the United States, Bethlehem shall promptly put the project out to bid and select a contractor.
Within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall complete remediation of the Town Hall parking facilities in accordance with the approved plan.
the cross slope of the walkway from the designated accessible parking space at the lower level is not steeper than 1:48 in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 206.4.1, 206.2.1, 403.3.
Within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall complete remediation of the Town Hall accessible entrance and route in accordance with the approved plan.
Within three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall engage the services of a registered design professional to survey the lower level of the Town Hall to find a suitable location to construct a fully ADA compliant single-user unisex accessible toilet room.
Within nine months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall submit to the United States architectural plans and/or drawings for a new, fully ADA compliant and accessible single-user unisex public restroom to be constructed on the lower level of the Town Hall. The architectural plans and/or drawings shall illustrate all required compliant features including elevations and sections. The United States shall approve or deny such plans or drawings within 30 days of submission. If the United States denies the plans and/or drawings, Bethlehem shall have 15 days to submit corrected plans and/or drawings for approval. Upon approval by the United States, Bethlehem shall promptly put the project out to bid and select a contractor.
Within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall complete construction of the new accessible single-user unisex public restroom on the lower level of the Town Hall in accordance with the approved drawings and/or plans.
Within seven days of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall remove the trash can obstructing the maneuvering clearance on the latch side of the men’s and women’s toilet rooms so that the maneuvering clearance on the latch side of the door is no longer obstructed in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 206.5.2, 404.2.4.1.
Within one month of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem will place an accessible work table within the Town Clerk’s area outside the vault. Bethlehem shall implement a written policy for staff members regarding assistance of individuals with disabilities and shall train staff who work in the Clerk’s office regarding the provision of assistance to individuals with disabilities who require materials located within the vault. Such policy shall include that Town Clerk staff shall retrieve any requested materials from within the vault and bring such materials to the individual so requesting to be viewed at the accessible work table. Town Clerk staff shall return any requested materials to the vault room once the individual has completed review of the materials.
Within one month of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall provide notification devices and appropriate explanatory signage instructing individuals with disabilities who are not able to access the counters in the Registrar of Voters area and the First Selectman’s Office, respectively, to use the notification devices to receive assistance from staff. Bethlehem shall implement a written policy, which may be combined into a single policy with the policy required in paragraph 16, above, for staff members regarding the provision of assistance to individuals with disabilities in the Registrar of Voters area and the First Selectman’s Office, respectively. Bethlehem shall train the staff of the Registrar of Voters and the First Selectman’s Office on the policy.
Within three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall replace all non-compliant door hardware throughout the Town Hall building, with the exception of the new unisex accessible toilet room required by paragraphs 12-14, with compliant hardware that does not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 206.5.2, 404.2.7, 309.4. Bethlehem shall provide compliant door hardware for the new accessible toilet room within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement.
ensure that office signs with leading edges more than 27 inches and not more than 80 inches above the finish floor do not protrude more than 4 inches horizontally into the circulation path in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 204.1, 307.2.
Within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall place directional signage complying with § 703.5 outside the inaccessible toilet rooms on the upper level of the Town Hall indicating the closest accessible restroom in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 216.8, 703.7.2.1.
the signage designating the van accessible space contains the designation “van accessible” in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 216.5, 502.6.
Within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall complete remediation of the Memorial Hall parking facilities in accordance with the approved plan.
thresholds, if provided at the accessible entrance doorway, are ½ inch high maximum and that any changes in level greater than ½ inch high are ramped and comply with § 405 or 406 in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 206.5.1, 404.2.5, 303.4.
Within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall complete remediation of the Memorial Hall accessible entrance and accessible route in accordance with the approved plan.
Within three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall engage the services of a registered design professional to survey the Memorial Hall to find a suitable location to construct a single user accessible toilet room.
Within nine months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall submit to the United States architectural plans and/or drawings for a new, fully ADA compliant and accessible single-user unisex public restroom to be constructed within the Memorial Hall. The architectural plans and/or drawings shall illustrate all required compliant features including elevations and sections. The United States shall approve or deny such plans or drawings within 30 days of submission. If the United States denies the plans and/or drawings, Bethlehem shall have 15 days to submit corrected plans and/or drawings and to submit the corrected plans and/or drawings for approval. Upon approval by the United States, Bethlehem shall promptly put the project out to bid and select a contractor.
Within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall complete construction of the new accessible single-user unisex public restroom within the Memorial Hall in accordance with the approved drawings and/or plans.
Within three months of the execution of this Agreement, in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 204.1, 307.2, Bethlehem shall relocate the AED box in the multi-purpose room so that it is no longer between 27 and 80 inches above the finish floor and protruding more than 4 inches horizontally into the circulation path. Alternatively, Bethlehem may elect to provide a permanent cane barrier beneath the AED box in its current location.
Within four months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall ensure that doors at exit passageways, exit discharge and exit stairways within the Memorial Hall are identified by tactile signs in raised characters and Braille in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 216.4.1, 703.1, 703.2, 703.5.
Within three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall replace all non-compliant door hardware throughout the Memorial Hall building, with the exception of the new unisex accessible toilet room required by paragraph 26-28 with compliant hardware that does not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 206.5.2, 404.2.7, 309.4. Bethlehem shall provide compliant door hardware for the new accessible toilet room within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement.
Within twenty-three months of the execution of this Agreement, Bethlehem shall place directional signage complying with § 703.5 outside the inaccessible toilet rooms of the Memorial Hall indicating the closest accessible restroom in accordance with the 2010 Standards §§ 216.8, 703.7.2.1.
Any future alterations, as defined in 28 C.F.R. § 35.151, made to the Town Hall or Memorial Hall in Bethlehem shall comply in all respects with the ADA, its implementing regulations, and the 2010 Standards, as such statute, regulations, and Standards are in effect as of the date that alterations begin.
In consideration of the terms of this Agreement, the United States agrees to refrain from filing a civil suit against Bethlehem for failure to comply with Title II of the ADA; provided, however, that the United States reserves the right to file a civil lawsuit to enforce this Agreement.
The United States does not assert that this Agreement or the modifications contemplated herein will necessarily bring Bethlehem’s facilities into compliance with all aspects of the ADA, and nothing in this Agreement is intended to constitute an interpretation of the legal requirements of the ADA by the United States. Rather, the parties enter into this Agreement for the purpose of compromising disputed claims and avoiding the risk and expenses of litigation. This Agreement is a compromise and it shall not be used or introduced into evidence in any other case or proceeding other than between the parties to this Agreement.
The United States may review compliance with this Agreement at any time. Upon reasonable advance notice to Bethlehem, Bethlehem shall permit the United States and any person acting on its behalf unlimited access to the Town Hall and Memorial Hall facilities to review compliance with the ADA and this Agreement.
If the timelines contemplated by this Agreement should become a hardship for Bethlehem, the parties may mutually agree to extend the timeline for a particular item on a case-by-case basis.
If the United States believes that Bethlehem has violated this Agreement or any requirement thereof, it agrees to notify Bethlehem in writing, through its First Selectman, of the specific violation(s) alleged. Bethlehem shall have 30 days from its receipt of the notice to cure and/or respond in writing to the United States the alleged violation(s). If, after further discussion with Bethlehem, the United States believes that Bethlehem has violated the Agreement, the United States may institute a civil action for relief in federal district court.
Bethlehem shall provide certifications to the United States, every six months until full compliance with this Agreement is achieved, in the form of a narrative report and photos showing that the items within this Agreement that Bethlehem has agreed to correct have been so corrected. Bethlehem shall include as an exhibit copies of any complaint, whether formal or informal, received during the reporting period alleging that Bethlehem did not comply with the ADA or that individuals with disabilities were subject to discrimination on the basis of disability by Bethlehem. The parties expressly agree that providing such certifications is essential to the enforcement of this Agreement, and that a failure to provide the certifications required by this paragraph constitutes a breach of this Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties on the matters raised herein, and no other statement, promise, or agreement, either written or oral, made by either party or agents of either party, that is not contained in this written Agreement, shall be enforceable. This Agreement is limited to the facts set forth herein and it does not purport to remedy any other potential violations of the ADA, including violations of the alterations or new construction provisions of the ADA, or any other Federal law. This Agreement does not affect the continuing responsibility of Bethlehem to comply with the ADA.
If any provision of this Agreement is determined by any court to be unenforceable, the other terms of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect, provided however, that if the severance of any such provision materially alters the rights or obligations of the parties, the United States and Bethlehem shall engage in good faith negotiations in order to adopt such mutually agreeable amendments to this Agreement as may be necessary to restore the parties as closely as possible to the initially agreed-upon relative rights and obligations.
In the event Bethlehem seeks to transfer or assign all or part of its interest in the Town Hall and/or Memorial Hall facilities, as a condition of sale or lease, Bethlehem shall obtain the written accession of the successor or assign to any obligations remaining under this Agreement for the remaining term of the Agreement.
The execution date of this Agreement is the date of the last signature below. This Agreement shall remain in effect for twenty-three months from the date of execution.

References: § 35
 § 35
 § 12133
 § 35
 § 12132
 § 35
 § 703
 § 405
 § 703
 § 35