“We came out better than Fairhope, if that makes you feel any better,””

Spanifh Fort Building Official Bruce Renkert

Spanish Fort city leaders received the results of a recent survey of the city’s roads to determine compliance with requirements set by the Americans With Disabilities Act.

“The results show us we’ve got a lot of work to do, but we can do it as we do the repaving projects moving forward,” Mayor Mike McMillan said. “That will be our plan – fixing those issues we do have as we are there to do repaving or fix other problems.”

Council members asked if there was a timeline being set by the state to fix any of the issues found, but City Attorney David Conner said there was not.

“It’s fine that these changes we have can be fixed and modified as pavement improvement projects continue to move forward,” Conner said.

Conner said the ADA requirements were not so strenuous that the city would have to undertake multiple changes all at once.

“We don’t necessarily have to retrofit roads, but as you do upgrades, you do have to bring them up to compliance,” Conner said. “Whatever amenities are in that area, you have to upgrade them as you upgrade the area.” Conner said since the city became aware of possible needs for compliance issues a few years ago, steps have been taken to ensure the city is up to code.

“The good thing is all construction that the city has undertaken since that time has been in compliance to our knowledge,” Conner said. “Those are the things that y’all have done so we feel like we’re in a good position.” Spanish Fort Building Official Bruce Renkert told the council that his office would be inspecting new projects to make sure they comply.

“On new construction, we’re watching things very closely so we won’t have to go back and do it again,” Renkert said.

Renkert did say one thing that made city officials feel better about the entire survey, causing them to erupt in laughter and smiles:

“We came out better than Fairhope, if that makes you feel any better,” Renkert said.