HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 01/10/2002Commission on Disability
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2002
Council Information Center, City Hall West
Members Present: Ruth Bell Skogerboe, Romola and Rob Fritz, Mark Beck, Paul Ostrof, Laura
Burnett, Tracy Ochsner, Rachel Palmer, Jill Lancaster, Jerry Patterson
Guests: Steve Seefeld, former city staff liaison
The meeting was called to order by Mark at 12.15 pm. The minutes of the last meeting were
approved. Motion was made by Paul and seconded by Laura.
The commission welcomed Jerry Patterson from Hewlitt Packard as our new member.
Heaw Doors Proiect: Rob and Laura took the motion regarding the "heavy doors" project from
the last meeting off the table. Rob proposed a new approach to this project where the COD
would develop (or get from ADA if one exists) a brochure regarding the removal of heavy door
barriers to the disabled. The brochure would include why heavy door barriers need to be
removed (including legal ramifications), the responsibility of the general business public to do so,
and the rights of the disabled to have it done. In addition, the brochure would include instructions
on how to fix doors or who to call to have doors fixed, and possible the benefits to business
owners for keeping the doors within the prescribed poundage. This would be distributed
personally by COD members initially to businesses the commission has received complaints
about. COD members would explain information in the brochure to business owners and offer to
measure poundage of doors. This type of approach enable the COD to act as ambassadors and be
presented in an educational manner.
A question arose as to whether the COD bylaws allow this type of service. Mark read the purpose
of the commission which states in part "Within the limit of its authority, the Commission will
formulate, recommend and support such programs and policies as it deem important to assure
compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the 1990 Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Housing Act and other legislation relating to persons with
disabilities." The proposed "heavy doors" project would fall within this purpose.
mU r1Uty: The COD adopt as an ongoing project the service of informing the business public of
their responsibilities, and the disabled of their rights under ADA for the disabled to have access to
any business without the barrier of hard -to -open doors based on door tension. The ADAAG
requires that all entry doors be at 8 %2 pounds or less closure weight, and inside bathroom doors
be at 5 pounds. Motion by Rob, second by Paul. Motion passed unanimously.
ACTION: Rob will see if there is a brochure already established on this issue. If not, he will try
and develop a draft. Rob will contact fellow subcommittee members Paul, Laura, Jill and Susan
for help.
Update on Accessible America Award: Mark received word that award application was mailed by
the 27" in accessible format. A round of applause for all who helped pull it together.
Work Plan Review: The 2002 plan was distributed to the commission. A note from council
member Marry Tharp indicated that the COD was the "best organized board I work with."
ACTION: Commission should review final plan as presented to city council and make notes,
additions, changes and bring to next meeting where plan will be finalized.
Annual Report: This is due January 31 to city clerk. Nancy indicated she would do this.
ACTION: Rachel or Tracy will call Nancy Baker and ask her to have draft of the annual report
to commission by the next meeting, January 24.
Public Transportation between Loveland and Fort Collins: Laura is working with the NCCDC
(Northern Colorado Cross -Disabilities Commission) to try and find accessible transportation
between Fort Collins and Loveland. The following questions and concerns were raised: Does
Dial -A -Ride have service to Loveland? Is the "Fox Trot" service accessible? Once in Loveland,
how do you get around town? Do Dial -A -Ride users and Loveland's accessible service users
have a reciprocal agreement to use each other's service?
ACTION: Tracy will contact TransfoM look into issue and report back to the COD.
City Orientation Proeram for Board and Commission Members: Is there going to be a program
this year for all new members of all boards and commissions?
ACTION: City staff will check into and let us know.
Orientation Outline: Reviewed.
Action: Jill will bring a draft notebook next time.
Other Business: Steve had a meeting with Randy Hensley and he wants to be on the agenda for
the next meeting because he has money in his budget for accessible parking. Fines for parking in
handicap parking without an appropriate permit are being increased to $75 and a sign will be
placed in each handicap parking place indicating such.
Steve shared a memo from the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization to pursue
a proposal for a Rural Transportation Authority. They would like to know if a member of the
COD would like to serve as a potential candidate on the steering committee for the proposed
Rural Transportation Authority. Laura volunteered to be recommended for this steering
committee.
ACTION: Tracy will submit Laura's name to the appropriate person.
Meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm.
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 24, 2002
Respectfully submitted by Jill Lancaster