Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisability Advisory Board - MINUTES - 01/13/20251/13/2025– MINUTES Disability Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Monday, January 13, 2025 – 5:30 PM 300 Laporte Avenue and Microsoft Teams 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:32 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – Linda Drees (Chair), Joseph Tiner, Rachel Knox Stutsman, Amber Kelley, Scott Winnegrad b. Board Members Absent – Terry Schlicting (Vice Chair), Amanda Morgan, Jaclyn Menendez, Kristin White c. Staff Members Present – Claudia Menendez, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Jan Reece, Lead Equal Opportunity Compliance Specialist d. Guest(s) – Patrick Malloy 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Patrick Malloy commented on his disease that causes blindness and discussed successfully using the Transfort voiceover app. Additionally, he expressed frustration with the announcement system on the Transfort buses stating he discovered only ADA stops are announced. He also stated signage placement is problematic and suggested utilizing a QR code system for visually impaired users. Furthermore, Malloy noted there is no consistency in terms of audio signals for crosswalks in the Old Town area and commented on the ambiguity in ADA regulations. Board members thanked Malloy for bringing forward the concerns and noted the Board regularly meets with Transfort. Chair Drees asked Malloy what the Board could do to assist. Malloy replied the Board could look into the actual ADA laws andJ what ADA stops represent. He also suggested the City look into replacing crosswalk signals with audio signals as they need to be replaced. Board member Winnegrad commented on the importance of persistence in communicating with Transfort. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 18, 2024 & NOVEMBER 26, 2024 Board member Joe Tiner motioned to approve the November 18, 2024 meeting minutes. Board member Amber Kelly seconded the motion. Motion passed 5- 0. 1/13/2025– MINUTES Board member Amber Kelly motioned to approve the November 26, 2024 meeting minutes. Board member Joe Tiner seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. 6. BUDGET Board members briefly discussed the Board’s 2025 budget. 7. GUEST PRESENTER – a. Kerri Ishmael – Request for a letter of support for College Avenue grant opportunity Chair Drees noted Kerri Ishmael has requested a letter of support from the Board for a Department of Transportation grant, which has been sought before. She read the letter which relates to improvements along the College Avenue corridor. Board members discussed the language of the letter. Board member Tiner motioned for the Disability Advisory Board to support the grant proposal through the signing of this letter by the Board’s Co-Chairs. Board member Amber Kelly seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. 8. NEW BUSINESS a. 2024 Annual Report Chair Drees noted the Annual Report is due in January. (**Secretary’s Note: The Board opted to move forward with the remainder of the agenda and then return to this item.) Board members discussed the 2024 Work Plan and various accomplishments and topics considered by the Board in 2024. Board members also discussed adding an agenda item related to Work Plan status and highlights each month. Chair Drees stated she would form a draft of the Annual Report. Board member Winnegrad commented on the possibility of collaborating with the Human Resources Commission for an award ceremony and in other means. Board members also discussed collaboration and networking with other entities. b. February 17 DAB Meeting – Reschedule Chair Drees noted the February 17th meeting needs to be rescheduled to either February 10th or February 24th as it falls on Presidents’ Day. Board member Tiner motioned to reschedule the February 17th meeting to February 10th pending room availability. Board member Kelley seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. 1/13/2025– MINUTES 9. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS a. Human Relations Award Ceremony Chair Drees reported on the Human Relations award ceremony in Council Chambers. Board members discussed the possibility of the DAB hosting a similar event. 10. OTHER BUSINESS a. Jan Reece • DAB Applications Reece stated there are four Board positions that need to be filled and nine applications have been received. • Digital Accessibility Team Reece noted there is a Digital Accessibility Team that meets weekly regarding the City’s website accessibility per new State regulations. Reece encouraged Board members to examine the website for accessibility issues and noted Transfort has its own consultant for its website. • Collaboration with ARC Reece discussed a meeting in October with ARC regarding how the City can better employ individuals with disabilities, either physical or invisible. Malloy commented on the high unemployment rate for people with visual impairments. • City of Fort Collins sign at CMO Reece noted one of the items to come forth from the ARC meeting was information as to the City of Fort Collins sign not being accessible to someone with low vision or who is legally blind. She stated she has reached out to Operations Services and they have ordered a new sign for the building. Additionally, a bumper is being placed around the dip down to the flagpole at the building. Reece mentioned a forthcoming autism event being held with ARC. 11. ADJOURNMENT 7:34 PM Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board/Commission on 02/10/2025 Signature: