City Council Aliso Viejo Ranch could see improved accessibility

Aliso Viejo could soon use grant funds toward improving accessibility at the Aliso Viejo Ranch site and various intersections throughout the city.

The City Council votedrecently to indicate its willingness to use grant funds to pay for design work at the ranch to improve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The vote also means the city could use community development funds to install sound-emitting push-button stations at 10 intersections throughout the city.

The council voted 3-0 to adopt the resolution. Mayor Dave Harrington and Councilman Ross Chun were not in attendance.

If the city does receive community development funds, about $66,000 would go toward design costs to potentially bring more parking stalls, pathways and restrooms at the ranch site. The

cost of improving accessibility at the ranch is estimated at $550,000, according to a staff report.

City staff expects to receive about $226,000 in community development grant funds for the 2017-18 fiscal year. However, funds have not yet been approved and President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating the community development block grant program, according to a staff report.

The council is expected to meet again June 7.