The Toledo Historical Society can now use space in the old roller skate rink behind city hall for storage space after the Toledo City Council unanimously approved a contract during the council’s meeting last week on July 21.
Previously, the historical society had space inside the Toledo Community Library. According to Toledo Historical Society member Joh Jones, the volunteer-run library recently got grant money to expand its children’s section, meaning the historical society needed to find new storage space for its collection.
While the historical society is not paying any monthly storage fees, according to the contract, it will be responsible for paying for the gas utility bill associated with heating the building during the term of the contract according to the council’s agenda report.
The building Toledo City Hall currently is in is actually constructed inside a much larger building that used to house the old skate rink. The skating rink is still visible on the floor behind city hall.
During public comment, local resident Kyle McBride raised concerns about an apparent lack of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant parking spaces in Toledo.
“Over 50% of the citizens within the city limits are over the age of 50. I was also doing some research, and the lack of handicap spaces in regards to public property, the city is violating federal and state ADA laws,” McBride said.
He added in the downtown area, there were only two ADA parking spots, located over by the Front Street boat launch into the Cowlitz River.
“I don’t know about Winlock, but the last law enforcement entity that Toledo had refused to enforce the ADA laws over there,” said McBride.
Currently, the City of Toledo is contracting with the neighboring Winlock Police Department to provide law enforcement services.
A law enforcement veteran who also served in the military and deployed to Afghanistan, McBride lives with a disability himself as a result of an injury sustained in the line of duty, he told The Chronicle after the meeting.
Though no councilors directly addressed his concerns during the meeting, city staff did stay to talk with McBride more about his concerns after the meeting ended.
