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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 04/09/1990COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Minutes April 9, 1990 MEMBERS PRESENT: Roy Beauchamp Shirley Reichenbach Nancy Jackson Arne Anderson Heather Heafer Lori Gehricke MEMBERS ABSENT: Barbara Guye Gregory Funk (excused) Nancy Cisar Carol Rice (resigned) Gary Nation STAFF PRESENT: Debra Kaestner Anne Beauchamp The minutes of March 12, 1990 were approved with the following changes: the 4th paragraph of page 2 should be changed to read that the state provision allows for one handicapped license plate and/or one hanging tag. OLD BUSINESS Jane Davis, Library Director and Rita Davis, Transportation Planner appeared before the Board to discuss the handicapped parking and access at the Fort Collins Public Library. Jane Davis explained that one of the problems with the existing parking situation is that people who come to the Library only to return books find the handicapped spots extremely tempting. Also, when the middle handicapped space is occupied, the parked vehicle blocks the existing curb ramp. This blocks the use of the curb ramp by everyone. She explained the location of the handicapped spaces, three being directly in front of the library and 2 more across the street. Jane explained that if the center handicapped spot in the front could be narrowed and left as an access area it would provide for wider spaces on each side of that area and make it easier for people to get out of their cars and to use the access area. This access area would be open at all times. Rita Davis discouraged this approach as it might encourage midwalk crossings and could create a hazard. Heather suggested a ramp for all three spots. Rita asked if any dimensions had been taken and stated that the stalls needed to be at least 12' wide but not too wide. Jane suggested putting two 5-minute stalls on each side of the handicapped spaces to be used specifically for people who come to drop off books although according to Rita there would be no way to enforce that. Rita also brought up the problems that might occur COD Minutes April 9, 1990 Page 2 when it snows and pavement markings are covered up. Jane Davis stated she would like more priority on the snow removal list. Lori Gehricke proposed eliminating the handicapped spaces across the street in an effort to discourage midwalk crossings. Rita stated that those spaces are being used in conjunction with residents across the street. Rita Davis stated that she and Syl Mireles, Traffic Technician, will look at the situation, take dimensions and process a work order. Work orders normally take up to 30 days, not including the time it takes to look at the problem. Rita Davis will communicate with Debra Kaestner on the progress of this project. In closing, Jane Davis stated that with new painting and additional signage, the problems may be reduced. Roy Beauchamp suggested the use blue handicapped colors for the pavement markings on this project. Rita stated blue is not allowable, that the standard markings must be used according to the code the City follows, the M.U.T.C.D. (Manuel of Uniform Traffic Control Devices). Roy asked for an address in order to make a suggestion to change the above ruling. The address is as follows: Institute of Traffic Engineers, 525 School Street, S.W., Washington D.C. 20024. SNOW REMOVAL REPORT - Susan Kirkpatrick received the memo dated March 19, 1990. She raised the issued at a mayor's lunch and they suggested she ask staff for a report on this issue. Susan then contacted Jody Kole with the City Manager's office to put together a report to make recommendations to city council regarding whether or not to proceed with an ordinance. Jody sent this request to several different departments and asked them for their thoughts. Jody will be in charge of getting this report back to council. The slides will be shown prior to council's April 24th work session. Debra Kaestner showed the slides to members of Conceptual Review on April loth for their comments and suggestions. Susan Kirkpatrick appeared before the Board to discuss the above. She suggested not only the possibility of changing the ordinance concerning snow removal but also increasing public awareness of the problem. Shirley Reichenbach suggested trying to education the public for one winter and if the problems weren't solved, more punative measures should then be tried. Susan stated that COD should definitely comment on the above report when it is made available. NEW BUSINESS Fort Collins Housing Authority - David Herrera, Director, appeared before the Board to discuss services provided by the Housing Authority. He discussed the variety of housing programs they COD Minutes April 9, 1990 Page 3 offer, including numbers of units they manage and maintain, and how they go about selecting tenants. He also spoke about properties acquisition and costs of properties. A dilemma David Herrera spoke of was the problem they face finding persons with disabilities who quailfy for Housing Authority programs. The Housing Authority has many accessible units. If a unit can't be filled in a reasonable amount of time, the Housing Authority must rent it out as there are other families who have been on a waiting list for a long period of time and may need the housing, even though they may not necessarily need a handicap accessible unit. David mentioned a recently renovated handicap accessible house at Stuart & Remington that is available for occupancy now. Lori Gehricke knows of a family that might be interested in this house, but is not sure of the exact date they would need to move. Shirley Reichenbach questioned whether or not the list of handicap accessible units is made available to Disabled Resources. David stated they are now doing that. Debra Kaestner asked how much longer the house on Stuart Street might be available. David stated he had to go to the Board with this issue, since it was still vacant and there are non - handicapped people on a waiting list. Debra Kaestner called Nancy Jackson at Disabled Resources to advise her of this opening. David stated there is another house located at 810 Cherry Street that also may soon be available for a handicapped tenant. He also spoke of looking at the cost and demand for a TDY phone system for hearing impaired. David asked if Board members should ever have any questions to please contact him at 221-5484. OTHER BUSINESS Shirley Reichenbach mentioned the National Organization on Disability award. Even though COD did not receive the award she would like to submit an application again next year. Debra Kaestner suggested narrowing the focus and trying to cover one single project next time. Plan Review - Lori Gehricke spoke of the review of the Housing Authority unit where Roy Beauchamp resides (100 S. Bryan). The two areas of concern were the length and steepness of the ramp and the width of entry doors to access the units. She stated an additional 1' to 18" is needed. Debra Kaestner asked Roy about the ramp going down to the garden level. Roy was satisfied with the exception of the handrails not matching at the top. Shirley stated they were planning a site visit there. Tickler File - Debra Kaestner suggested they discuss it at the next meeting. Parking Reminders - Shirley Reichenbach stated they needed to be turned in. COD Minutes April 9, 1990 Page 4 Pik-n-Save - Shirley Reichenbach has received a settlement from the Civil Rights Commission. Walmart in Loveland - Shirley Reichenbach noticed a car that had a placard saying "Loveland Handicapped Parking Permit - No Expiration Date". She put a tag on it stating improper identification. Debra Kaestner stated she would ask John Slavik, City of Loveland, about it. Weberg's - Roy Beauchamp had some concerns about the bathroom accessibility. Burger King - Shirley Reichenbach had some concerns about the handicapped parking spaces having a sharp incline. Angela Byrne dropped off her application for COD membership. Debra Kaestner will submit it to City Clerk's office. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Jackson, Vice -Chairperson Debra Kaestner, Staff Liason