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Home My WebLink About07/21/2025 - Disability Advisory Board - AGENDA - Regular MeetingDisability Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING July 21, 2025 – 5:30 pm 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado Meeting Contact: Jan Reece, Lead EO Compliance Specialist, Jreece@Fcgov.com, 970-416-4254 TEAMS – See Link Below 1. CALL TO ORDER: Amber Kelley will remind everyone to please state your name when speaking for transcription purposes. a. (TIME STARTED) 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-June 19, 2025 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Budget-Jan Reece Participation for this Disability Advisory Board Meeting will be in person at 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. You may also join online via Teams: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft- teams/join-a-meeting Meeting ID: 268 124 508 158 Passcode: wX75Hj2S Online Public Participation: The meeting will be available to join beginning at 5:00 pm, July 21, 2025. Participants should try to sign in prior to the 5:30 pm meeting start time, if possible. For public comments, the Chair will ask participants to click the “Raise Hand” button to indicate you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Teams session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Board or Commission. To participate: Use a laptop, computer, or internet-enabled smartphone. (Using earphones with a microphone will greatly improve your audio). You need to have access to the internet. Keep yourself on muted status. Masks Strongly Recommended in Indoor Public Spaces While there are currently no public health orders in place, Larimer County Public Health officials strongly recommend that well-fitting, high-quality masks are worn in crowded indoor spaces. For more information, please visit fcgov.com/covid Disability Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING 7. GUEST PRESENTERS a. Aaron Hull-Ride NOCO b. Chase Prieve-Hi There Solutions 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS a. Executive Committee Report Board and Commissions joint meeting b. Government Relations Report Disability Pride celebration c. Community Recognition DAB Awards Ceremony update d. Public Awareness Report Daisy Montgomery e. Community Outreach and Education Cassidy Dellemonache-Blue Envelope https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6XAOJEyNRs Anais-Disability Employment Awareness training 9. OTHER BUSINESS-Jan Reece Report a. ADA Conference b. Digital Accessibility Plan c. DAB suggestion purchase of service animals posters/brochures https://unco.estore.flywire.com/materials 20 posters $5.00 50 brochures @$1.00 10. ADJOURNMENT a. (TIME ENDED) 6/16/25– MINUTES Disability Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Monday, June 16, 2025 – 5:30 PM 300 Laporte Avenue and Microsoft Teams 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – Amber Kelley (Chair), Daisy Montgomery (Vice Chair), Scott Winnegrad, Matthew Cicanese, Amanda Morgan, Linda Drees b. Board Members Absent – Anais Campbell, Cassidy Dellemonache c. Staff Members Present –Claudia Menendez, William Bevel, Ginny Sawyer, Annabelle Phillips, Dashiell d. Guest(s) – Liri Saraes, Cammy Cortes 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 19, 2025 Vice Chair Montgomery made a motion, seconded by Morgan, to approve May 19, 2025, minutes as presented. The motion was approved unanimously. 5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Amber Kelley) None. 6. PRESENTATIONS a. William Bevel – Standardized Demographics Overview & Future William Bevel, Communications and Public Involvement Office (CPIO) Communications and Engagement Manager, commented on the work of the CPIO, including survey tools and their standardized demographics questions. He noted the standardized questions are based on the U.S. Census and are developed with research partners, equity teams, and community input. He stated the eight standardized questions are gender, sexual orientation, age range, educational attainment, race/ethnicity, length of residence, household income, and own/rent your residence. He noted the questions are always optional and are placed at the end of surveys, which are generally anonymous. Bevel noted any data gathered is subject to the Colorado Open 6/16/25– MINUTES Records Act, though the City is going through a large digital refresh and the new software platform has some enhanced features around anonymity. Bevel stated the eight existing questions will not likely change, though there is discussion about adding a new question, specifically around disabilities or chronic conditions to ensure the City’s programs, services, and engagement efforts are accessible and inclusive. He discussed the key references he has been utilizing to ensure such a question would be asked properly and provided examples of such questions. Members discussed having multiple choice answers available and possibly indicating the percentage of time each condition affects the respondent. Vice Chair Montgomery commented on the importance of not leaving out dynamic disabilities and neurodevelopmental conditions. Drees noted there are some cases wherein an individual is not capable of answering this type of question themselves; therefore, an additional question may be related to who is completing the survey. Cicanese suggested having a scale as to how difficult certain tasks may be. He also commented on conditional context being the colloquial label for the added layer of multiple-choice options, so the user does not experience survey fatigue. b. Ginny Sawyer – Community Capital Sales Tax Quarter Cent Renewal Ginny Sawyer, Senior Project and Policy Manager, provided background on the City’s funding sources, including dedicated taxes such as the Community Capital Sales Tax. She noted the Natural Areas tax renewal will also likely be on this year’s ballot despite not actually sunsetting until 2030. Sawyer outlined how the capital project package is developed, which involves looking at adopted Master Plans, community appeal, and Council priorities. She stated this tax will likely bring in about $110 million over ten years, and the total of the proposed project package is closer to $103 million to account for inflation. Sawyer discussed the project groupings, including Transportation/Engineering which is comprised of arterial intersection improvements and streetscape program, bicycle infrastructure and overpass/underpass program, pedestrian sidewalk program, Transfort bus replacements and stop enhancements, and recreational paved trails, the Affordable Housing Capital Fund which will be for the development of new housing, Parks and Recreation, Cultural Amenities, and Nature and Environment. Members discussed the development of affordable housing for people with disabilities and commented on the large need for accessible affordable housing. Sawyer provided the entire project list. 6/16/25– MINUTES Morgan asked if users will pay to use the pickleball facility. Sawyer replied in the negative and noted the City aims to provide recreation opportunities for everyone and does not compete with health clubs or private pickleball facilities. Sawyer noted the goal of the package is to balance the desires of all community members in such a way that the ballot measure will pass. Vice Chair Montgomery noted housing is an issue that has been decades in the making and stated stagnant wages and large corporations buying up homes for rentals are other components. She stated the topic of affordable housing has been discussed in Fort Collins for years; however, disabled people are not mentioned at all. Cicanese commented on accessibility issues at various parks, including sidewalk access, potholes, and lack of handicapped parking spaces. c. Annabelle Phillips and Dashiell Bubar-Hall – Transfort Optimization Study Annabelle Phillips, Transfort Assistant Director, stated the Transfort Optimization Study aims to develop a five- to ten-year strategic plan that will plot the course for ridership growth, improved transit services, and implementation of Transit Master Plan concepts in a way that recognizes the priorities of the community as the entire Plan will not be able to be implemented given the estimated $15 million per year cost over the next twenty years. Additionally, operating transit is approximately $3 million more expensive in 2025 than in 2019. She stated the budget gap will be slightly narrowed with the passage of the 2050 tax, though there is still roughly a $13 million shortfall. Phillips outlined the Optimization Study process, which involved analysis and concept development. She noted feedback is currently being gathered and that will be followed by evaluation and final recommendations. Dashiell Bubar-Hall, FC Moves Transportation Planner, provided a summary of micro-transit, which is an on-demand transit service that mirrors the service model of Uber and Lyft which is designed to complement fixed route service. He detailed the three concepts that were developed into scenarios. The first scenario is based on travel patterns and provides linear corridor-based transit service with higher frequencies. The second scenario is based on rider demand and provides less linear routes and more connections to services with single bus routes and fewer transfers. This scenario includes one micro- transit zone and focuses on serving equity and access needs. The third scenario is based on a condensed fixed route network with micro-transit serving several parts of the city. Bubar-Hall noted the scenarios have trade- offs. Chair Kelley commented on the fact that relying on micro-transit also means relying on many more operators, which could lead to a decrease in reliability. Bubar-Hall stated they are both equally reliable and noted micro-transit is a bit more nimble than fixed route service. Additionally, he noted getting an extra 6/16/25– MINUTES van on the road is much easier than getting an extra bus on the road. Morgan asked if the micro-transit vehicles would be wheelchair accessible. Bubar-Hall replied to a portion of the fleet will be, and that number can increase if needed. Bubar-Hall noted the ultimate recommendation will likely blend portions of all of the scenarios. He also noted the Horn, Flex, Gold route, and Foothills Shuttle will remain operating at their current frequencies for the foreseeable future. He stated each of the scenario maps include ratings on six evaluation criteria: equity, economic health benefit, environmental benefit, ridership levels, cost effectiveness, and City priority alignment. Phillips noted that the ultimate plan will be fiscally constrained to the current budget. She detailed the travel patterns scenario which ranks highly in cost effectiveness and increased ridership. Additionally, there are no routes in the scenario that are greater than a 30-minute frequency. Bubar-Hall detailed the rider demand scenario which ranks highly in equity, alignment with City priorities, and improved ridership. Additionally, it includes one micro-transit zone currently shown in the southwest portion of the city. Phillips detailed the condensed fixed route network scenario which includes three micro-transit zones. She noted this scenario ranks highly in economic health and environmental benefits. She requested Board Members complete the online survey and spread the word to others. Cicanese asked if there are any hard timelines, goals, or milestones, and asked what would be most helpful for the Board to contribute other than completing the survey and spreading the word. Bubar-Hall asked members to weigh in on what transit service means to them and their constituents, and whether those ideas and underlying needs are effectively incorporated into some of these scenarios. Cicanese commented on the fact that he has neurodivergence and disabilities; therefore, any type of trip he takes becomes a series of decisions. 7. OTHER BUSINESS a. Matt – Disability Pride Proclamation Cicanese stated he and Drees drafted a proclamation and pushed through a successful proposal to the City Clerk and Mayor’s Offices and the proclamation recognizing July as Disability Pride Month will be presented at the next Council meeting. He noted he and Vice Chair Montgomery will both be speaking at the meeting. Menendez stated there is an option to host a small reception before the proclamation. Cicanese made a motion, seconded by Vice Chair Montgomery, to host a reception before the proclamation with a $50 budget. The motion was 6/16/25– MINUTES approved unanimously. Menendez stated she could format an invitation for distribution by Board Members and others. Members noted there will be another proclamation in October recognizing National Disability Employment Month. Cicanese noted the October proclamation should be discussed at the August meeting to allow sufficient time to get it completed. b. Other Business Dellemonache commented on downtown parallel handicapped parking spaces not having painted diagonal lines that allow for space to exit a van with a back lift. Menendez encouraged her to take some photos and call Parking Services. Morgan stated Dial-a-Ride will block traffic until a wheelchair is unloaded. Members discussed adding the topic to an agenda or exploring it in one of the committees. Cicanese asked if the City’s staff photographer could be utilized during the proclamation or other events to keep documentation for the Disability Advisory Board moving forward. He stated having professional images would help match the professionality of the outreach goals and stated he would do some research. Cicanese made a motion, seconded by, to do some outreach to the Coloradoan or other organizations for a professional photographer. Menendez stated she would do some research with the CPIO as well. 8. ADJOURNMENT a. 7:20 PM Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board on 06/19/2025 Signature: 2025 COORDINATED PLAN Fort Collins Disability Advisory Board July 21, 2025 2 Coordinated Plan Presentation Overview 1.Introduction & Presentation Overview 2.Background on NFRMPO & Mobility Program 3.Overview of the RideNoCo Program 4.2025 Coordinated Plan Background, Demographics, & Transit Availability 5.2025 Coordinated Plan Gaps in Service, Example Strategies, & Public Survey 6.2025 Coordinated Plan Discussion 7.Conclusion 3 Coordinated Plan Introduction Aaron Hull Mobility Planner 4 Coordinated Plan North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) •Regional transportation & air quality planning agency •Formed in 1988 and expanded to current boundaries in 2007 •Over 549,000 people •Covers about 675 sq. mi. •Parts of 2 counties and 13 communities •Greeley Urbanized Area (UZA) & Fort Collins Transportation Management Area (TMA) •VanGo Vanpooling •Mobility Program – ALL of Weld and Larimer Counties 5 Coordinated Plan NFRMPO Mobility Program •RideNoCo – One-Call/One-Click Center •Information Hub – website & call center •MyWayToGo – Trip Planning Platform •SchoolPool Tool •Data for Planning Processes •Mobility Committees •Joint Northern Colorado Mobility Committee •Larimer County Mobility Committee •Weld County Mobility Committee •Subrecipient Program & Technical Assistance •Connecting partners to State and Federal Funding •Coordinating service expansions in areas where gaps have been identified •Community Outreach, Education, and Engagement •Planning Efforts •Coordinated Public Transit/Human Services Transportation Plan •Mobility Action Plan (MAP) to guide implementation of Coordinated Plan •Strategize for Multi-Partner Coordination and Transportation Management Organizations services •Feedback to other NFRMPO Planning Processes 6 Coordinated Plan RideNoCo Program RideNoCo embodies two overarching goals: 1.Improving individual mobility for older adults, individuals with disabilities, low- income individuals, and underserved communities. 2.Improving regional mobility through enhanced coordination and collaboration among regional public and private transportation providers, especially in rural areas of Larimer & Weld counties. 7 Coordinated Plan RideNoCo Website & Call Center (970) 514-3636 Monday – Friday 8 am to 5 pm Callback within one business day Over-the-phone interpretation in 100+ Languages through LanguageLink 8 Coordinated Plan RideNoCo Call Center & Website Data Year Calls/Emails Website Visits 2021 94 772 2022 143 1,986 2023 261 3,865 2024 368 4,968 Total 866 11,591 2025 YTD (As of 7/14/2025)188 3,476 9 Coordinated Plan RideNoCo Call Center & Website Demographics 10 Coordinated Plan 2025 Coordinated Plan Background •Strategic plan for Coordinated Transit (Mobility) in the region •Updated every four years. •Mobility for older adults, individuals with disabilities, low- income persons, and underserved communities •Sets up project priorities for the next 5 – 10 years •Allows for projects to be funded by FTA §5310 funds •Example: RideNoCo program •Four Parts of the Plan: •Analyze existing conditions/options; •Evaluating socioeconomic and ridership data; •Identify mobility gaps; and •Strategize improvements 11 Coordinated Plan Older Adult Population (2023 - 2045) 2023 Older Adult Population Population Larimer County (all) Weld County (all) NFRMPO Region Total Population 363,561 340,711 549,237 60 and Above 82,228 62,419 91,014 Percent of total population 22.62%18.32%16.57% Source: 2023 ACS 2045 Older Adult Population Population Larimer County (all) Weld County (all) NFRMPO Region Total Population 506,604 634,300 906,510 60 and Above 130,155 125,752 163,594 Percent of total population 25.7%19.8%18.0% Source: DOLA, NFRMPO LUAM 12 Coordinated Plan Individuals with Disabilities (2023) Population Larimer County (all)Weld County (all)NFRMPO Region Total Noninstitutionalized Population 360,991 338,632 473,109 Percent with Disability 10.3%11.3%11.0% Percent Under 18 with Disability 4.7%6%1% Percent 18-64 with Disability 16.4 %18.6%6% Percent 65+ with Disability 59%74.7%4% Source: 2023 ACS 13 Coordinated Plan Regional Public Transportation Availability in the Region Estes Park: The Peak 14 Coordinated Plan Volunteer & Non-Profit Transportation Services Availability in the Region •Fort Collins •Loveland •Berthoud •Estes Park •Carbon Valley •Weld County •Weld County 15 Coordinated Plan Gaps in Service •New Neighborhoods not served by transit •Between communities •Rural areas need more support •Temporary Disabled •Affordable transportation •Funding is limited, so service is limited •Awareness/Outreach (RideNoCo, Poudre Express, Bustang, 60+ Ride, United Way, Etc.) 16 Coordinated Plan Previous Ideas/Strategies/Projects Previous Ideas/Strategies/Projects •The Weld County, Larimer County, and Joint Northern Colorado Mobility Committees •Technical assistance •Vehicle purchases •Grant reporting, writing, & management •Letters of support •Outreach, Marketing, and Education •Rider’s Guides •Rack Cards •RideNoCo expansion and optimization •MyWaytoGo platform •TDS System 17 Coordinated Plan Suggested Ideas/Strategies/Projects Suggested Ideas/Strategies/Project •Volunteer Pool program •The idea of having a centralized website for grassroots volunteers. •Medical Chaperone Program •Idea for Medical Chaperones to help temporarily disabled individuals. •Emergency Fund Program •Idea to provide one-time trips to individuals who need help. •Earn-a-Bike-Workshops for Adaptive Bikes •Idea to help individuals acquire adaptive bikes. •RideNoCo Expansion and Optimizations •App for RideNoCo •Additional TDS connections 18 Coordinated Plan 2025 Coordinated Plan Public Survey 2025 Coordinated Plan Public Survey You can take the 2025 Coordinated Plan Public Survey at the following link: https://arcg.is/1rirDP0 or using the QR code below. 19 Coordinated Plan Discussion Questions •Who needs to be involved in this conservation? •Are there any groups or individuals you recommend contacting for this discussion? •What are the mobility gaps you or your clients have noticed? •What ideas, projects, and/or strategies would be helpful to address these mobility gaps? •Any other questions, comments, or suggestions? 20 Coordinated Plan Thank you! Connect with the RideNoCo Team! Aaron Hull Mobility Planner ahull@nfrmpo.org (970) 672-0677 Tanya Trujillo-Martinez Mobility Director ttrujillo-martinez@nfrmpo.org (970) 999-0072 Lisa Deaton Mobility Specialist ldeaton@nfrmpo.org (970) 300-1076 2025 Coordinated Plan Public Survey RideNoCo 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday mobility@nfrmpo.org (970) 514-3636 RideNoCo Website If you need any accommodations to access this document's content, please email staff@nfrmpo.org or call (970) 800-9560. You can expect a response within three business days. HI THERE SOLUTIONS LLC Mobile App – Deaf & Hard of Hearing Broomfield CO USA Company Summary Using a mobile app platform, Hi Talk Solutions has developed an award-winning text chat board communication solution called Just Talk! and a video chat solution called Hi There!!! specifically for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing that includes real-time transcriptions – speech to text, text to speech, instant messaging, and animated American Sign Language sticker emojis – all within a live two-way conversation, which is perfect for both noisy and quiet places. The mobile app is available in 10 languages as an accommodation for businesses to improve accessible communication for the DHH customers. Customer Problem Businesses in the hospitality, travel, healthcare, banking, and consumer retail verticals typically do not offer accommodations for their Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers leading to frustration, miscommunication, and an overall poor customer experience. Businesses risk lower ESG Scores, decreased customer lifetime value, higher customer churn, and potential litigation due to a lack of compliance with the Americans with Disability Act – Title III. AI POWERED: REAL-TIME CAPTIONS Speech to Text, Text to Speech, Instant Messaging, ASL Emojis AWARD-WINNING MOBILE APP Hi There Solutions Chase T Prieve, Founder Email: chase@hitheresolutions.com Mobile: +1 720-629-1848 www.hitheresolutions.com Licensing and Co-Branding Opportunities Available! Just Talk!Hi There!!! Transportation empowers freedom, giving everyone the ability to live, wo rk, an d explore without limits. This survey is part of the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization's public involvement in creating the 2025 Coordinated Plan. The 2025 Coordinated Plan brings together representatives from the public, human service agencies, and transit agencies to set strategies, goals, and objectives for the next four years. It focuses on mobility for older adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income adults, and underserved communities. It also considers mobility in all its forms, so it aims to look holistically and support the public, providers, advocates, and stakeholders in improving at all levels. Please provide Public Feedback at the below QR code: Please contact Aaron Hull, Mobility Planner at the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, with any questions or comments at 970) 672-0677 or ahull@nfrmpo.org. 2025 COORDINATED PLAN PUBLIC FEEDBACK SURVEY