HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 08/22/2002COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 22, 2002
Council Information Center, City Hall West
Members present: Mark Beck, Joan Cook, Susan Williams, Paul Ostrof, Diane Dittus, Ruth Skogerboe, Jerry
Patterson, Romola Fritz
City staff: Rachael Palmer, Tracy Ochsner
Guests: Steve Sutter; Roger Van Lieshout; Tom Frazier, General Manager of Dial -A -Ride; Rob Fritz
Mark called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m.
The minutes were approved as presented, on a motion by Paul and a second by Ruth.
Old business:
Dial -A -Ride: Tom Frazier came to the meeting as a result of our concerns, expressed in previous meetings, about
the need for some DAR riders to have assistance to be able to exit their residences. Tom gave a detailed
accounting of the history of the policies of DAR and of its predecessor, Caravan. The current policy of not
allowing drivers to cross the threshold is in place primarily due to the high demand for services. The more time
drivers spend giving extra assistance to individual riders, the fewer riders they can serve. Additional reasons for
enforcing the door-to-door policy include liability concerns, both from rider accusations of theft by the drivers as
well as the risk of accidents within the residence. Tom did indicate that in an emergency situation the drivers do
have the discretion to cross the threshold. However, if the need is ongoing, the rider needs to take the
responsibility to make accommodations.
Since the COD membership indicated satisfaction with this explanation, Susan moved to strike the motion, made
in a previous meeting, to contact the city attorney about this concern. Diane seconded Susan's motion, and it
passed.
Subcommittee/Proiect Reports:
Heavy Doors: Rob read an email message from the first volunteer, who is starting to visit businesses in Old Town.
In general he is having success, but in some cases he is having some difficulty in locating the person who will take
responsibility for correcting the door pull weights. Dr. Green will be having a new class of about 70 students when
CSU classes resume next week. He expects to be able to recruit a number of them to assist with this project. Rob
indicated that Joan has agreed to assist him and will help him train the next volunteers.
PHA: Paul, Mark and representatives of the Home Builders' Association met with the City Council in a study
session recently. Council members and the Mayor expressed support for the concept. Mark has also met with
representatives from US Homes, who indicate that their company has several model homes with PHA features
available on request at no extra expense.
City Staff Training: After a discussion as to the best time to hold this training session, it was decided to try to have
it during the last week of October, as a follow-up to the Mayor's Awards. It will be held in the Council
Information Center, City Hall West. Steve Sutter offered to have his company pay for the cost of the lunch if no
business is willing to take care of it. Susan then offered to ask her employer to donate the lunch. There will be a
meeting of this committee on September 6 at 3 p.m. at Facilities, 117 N. Mason.
ACTIONS: Tracy will check on the availability of the room and of Cathy Schelley for a date during the week of
October 28 - November 1. Susan will approach her employer about providing the lunch.
Mayor's Awards: Jerry and Joan volunteered to help Susan call the list of employers to find out the name of a
contact person, for addressing the invitations for the event. Roger volunteered information about additional lists
he has available, including service organizations, service providers, schools, and organizations for the disabled.
He indicated these could all be put into a data base. Steve stated that he is making progress in the planning,
including preparing the mayor's letter, and he is working on various press contacts. The next Mayor's Awards
committee meeting will be Wednesday, August 28, 2:30 p.m., at Facilities, 117 N. Mason.
Abilities Career Fair: Roger reported on his planning for this event, which will be held in conjunction with the
Mayor's Awards. He is hoping to line up businesses to buy space in a special newspaper section that will give
extensive pre -event coverage, including feature stories and ads. He is also planning pre -event workshops for job
seekers and will be compiling a resume binder containing applications of job seekers, to be given to employers. In
addition, he now has a web site for posting resumes: A2Ajobs.com. All these activities are designed to get a large
number of job seekers to attend the career fair.
Art Show: Susan indicated she had just gotten several good ideas on publicity from Roger's report
Assistive Technoloav: Nothing to report at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:58 p.m., on a motion by Susan and a second by Jerry
Respectfully submitted,
Romola Fritz
Acting Secretary