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Home My WebLink AboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 07/10/1989� 5 COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Minutes July 10, 1989 MEMBERS PRESENT: Gary Nation Heather Heafer Shirley Reichenbach Arne Andersen Nancy Jackson Greg Funk Roy Beauchamp MEMBERS ABSENT: Carol Rice Bobbi Guye Nancy Cisar Lori Gehricke STAFF PRESENT: Debra Kaestner Debbie Zeigler GUESTS: Jaime Mares Susan Kirkpatrick The minutes of the June 12th meeting were unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS Parking Enforcement - Greg had put the handicapped parking surveys in a com- puter file and printed a spreadsheet which was passed around for members to look at. It lists for each address, the number of handicapped parking spaces available, raised signage, building signage, business name, etc.. Commission members thought this information could be valuable to many other agencies including economic development. Susan Kirkpatrick said it effects the cost of doing business and is every bit as useful as knowing the square footage of vacant buildings. Councilwoman Kirkpatrick talked with other members of Council regarding the handicapped parking enforcement project. The concensus was that the parking management program as a whole is oriented towards education. It is no longer enforcement oriented. The proposal COD has made is mainly like the old enforce- ment system. Susan and Council feel it was not compatible with the current parking management program and attitude, and for the moment needs to be educa- tional only. COD Minutes Page 2 Discussion was held on the yellow cards that had been used in the past to educate people when they were parking in a handicap space. They need to be revised and printed. Susan told the Commission that funds were available for printing in the city budget. She suggested using this as an educational tool. Shirley Reichenbach asked if it would be ok to handout the cards? Ms. Kirkpat- rick said first she would like to see them revised, and approved by Council. Some sort of strategy needs to be established and she felt business people should be involved. Nancy Jackson asked if the downtown merchants are more open to providing han- dicap parking spaces now. Susan said in dealing with the parking enforcement she has found that parking is a very emotional issue. With the changes that have been made to the parking enforcement, complaints have leveled off. Roy Beauchamp asked that the changes to the yellow card be made as soon as possible. Copies of the present card are included in the minutes and members can brainstorm changes to be discussed at the next meeting. Plan Review - Debra said Shirley, Greg, Lori and herself met to review plans. They looked at Pace, Sonic Drive -Inn and 1013 Centre Drive. They looked at handrails, doors, dimensions, lays. Commission members felt it was very helpful. The next meeting will be July 19, 2:00 p.m.. Debra said that in reviewing the Fossil Creek Design Center she noticed a forty foot fall on the parking lot. The handicap space had a two foot slant from the front to the back. She suggested they put the space further from the building where the site is flat. Nancy Jackson said she would like to interface with Planning and catch things like that before they are actually in the building stage. Tickler File - Marriott, 350 E. Horsetooth, spoke to Marvin Beese on July 10, 1989. Budget approval was cause of delay. Now has approval and will begin the week of 17th. Western Sizzlin, 1100 W. Drake. Shirley suggested an alternate solution and Jim with Western is looking into it. Allergy Clinic, 1124 E. Elizabeth, the vestibule is only 4.5 feet (5 feet required) but, the existing threshold is greater than 1/2 inch, and is not accessible anyway. The clinic is accessible via the other entrance which handicapped clients currently use. NEW BUSINESS Report on disabled employment within the city of Fort Collins - Jaime Mares told the Commission that there are no statistics available. They have information on the number of women employed and minorities but nowhere could he find anything on people with disabilities. Mr. Mares feels it is a good issue and is working on getting the information collected. The city has purchased a new computer system for payroll and it will be installed April 1990. At this time all information will have to be re-entered and it will provide the perfect time to start keeping records on this. COD Minutes Page 3 Gary Nation said that in answering questionnaires, people who are not truly handicapped say that they are. Figures show that the largest minority in the Fort Collins area are the handicapped. Nancy Jackson said that when the 1980 census was taken it was decided that if you were employed you couldn't be considered handicapped. Roy Beauchamp said survey should contain information on invisible disabilities such as arthritis and lower back pain along with mental disabilities. Mr. Mares asked the commission their opinions on the survey and what should be contained. It was suggested that people fill them out after probation is signed off, thereby removing the threat of not being hired or termination at probation. The discussion ended with Jaime agreeing to prepare a draft and bring back to COD before it is used and possibly asking for further input from COD. Shirley Reichenbach took Roy's rough draft of the business checklist to the Disabled Resource Board meeting. After looking at it, their question was, what is the intended result? Also, who would pay for printing. Disabled Resources will not commit money to this project at this time. Shirley suggested condensing, defining and setting standards. Roy agreed and thought a checklist would be better, in fact a checklist similar to the one used for plan review would be great. Roy said it was intended to be user friendly and encourage voluntary compliance. Susan Kirkpatrick suggested that the commission set priorities. She sees at least one year's worth of work in this project alone, not to mention the breakfast and the parking education project. She cautioned the commission not to be too ambitious. Make choices so things are done right and well. Nancy Jackson thought the point should be well taken by the commission and felt they should establish credibility. Everyone agreed to table this project until next year. Mayor's Award Breakfast - The date of this year's breakfast is October 6th in the Ludlow Room at Lincoln Center. Chairman and committees were chosen as fol- lows: Program - Arne, Greg, Gary; Guest List - Shirley, Heather; Food & Paper products - Shirley, Heather; Publicity - Nancy, Bobbi; Awards - Carol, Lori; Hosting - Debbie Zeigler; Transportation - Roy. Susan told staff to check into having the breakfast catered. Debra will check with Skip Noe. Brainstorming for program - Increase awareness for the very young Have Children at the breakfast Art contest by children - How is Fort Collins accessible Go to schools and set up obstacle course for scout troup or camp fire girls, present slides at breakfast with children present 0 COD Minutes Page 4 Election of Officers - Elections were held with the following results: Chairman - Greg Funk Vice -Chairman - Nancy Jackson Member -at -Large - Shirley Reichenbach The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Arne Anderson, Chairman I/��` %C(;eu- Debra Kaestner, Staff Liaison DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR PLACE This symbol Identifies those parking spaces that are LEGALLY RESERVED FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE If you have a need for a Handicapped Parking Permit, please contact the Disabled Resource Services, 424 Pine St., Suite 101, Ft. Collins, for an application or call 482-2700 Municipal Ordinance #28-16 MTC12-3 Minimum $25 Fine Your compliance is appreciated