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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 05/08/1989COMMISSION ON DISABILITY May 8, 1989 Amended Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT: Gary Nation Heather Heafer Shirley Reichenbach Carol Rice Arne Andersen Nancy Jackson Gregory Funk Roy Beauchamp Nancy Cisar Lori Gehricke MEMBERS ABSENT: Barbara Guye STAFF PRESENT: Debra Kaestner Debbie Zeigler Felix Lee Arne Anderson chaired the meeting and performed introductions of board members and guests. The meeting was started by inviting questions of the board to Brian Moroney, Museum Director, regarding signage and accessibility of this facility. Roy Beauchamp said that one problem that had been identified was the drinking fountain is located in the middle of the ramp. Brian said that parts had been ordered and the fountain is being installed in the bathroom area. Brian pointed out before making any changes to the museum, several things needed to be considered. 1) Fire regulations 2) Accessibility 3) Historical designation 4) Museum. He feels there is no specific answer and that mutual solutions are needed. Shirley Reichenbach had several comments regarding the facility. She felt the back exit is a fire trap. Readable signs are needed at the front of the Museum. In snow and ice there is a big problem maneuvering a wheelchair on the side walk that goes around to the back of the building. The four parking stalls in the front are nice but inconvenient when the ramp and accessibility are in the back. Brian brought a plan and pictures with him showing the exiting of the build- ing. Arnie Andersen asked to what degree can outside renovations be made before Landmark Preservation Commission approval is needed. Brian explained that any exterior work to the building and signage had to be approved by the Commis- sion. Felix Lee and Brian had discussed exiting problems in the museum in the light of modern codes in an older building. Felix Lee, Director of Building Permits and Inspections was present and said that a panic bar is required by code but that wouldn't allow accessibility from the outside. COD Minutes Page 2 Heather Heafer suggested a phone or change the buzzer to a light at the front desk hoping that it would attract more attention from the volunteer workers. Many times they hear a buzz and don't know where it is coming from. Shirley Reichenbach asked if the signage on the front of the museum indicated where the handicap entrance is. Brian said, no, it doesn't. Brian felt it was a possible solution to install a phone in the front of the building so people can call and alert the front desk that they will need assistance entering and he thought another possible solution was to repair the walks around the building making access easier. He proposed putting up sig- nage that would alert the public that handicap parking and entrance are in the rear. Brian called on May 16th and said signage changes are underway and con- fusing signage on the inside of the back door has been removed. Brian said he will put in a request to the facilities department for these changes and see if money is available. Dick Valdez, Civil Engineer I, came to the meeting at the request of the COD to answer any questions they may have concerning the ramp program. He reported that a ramp had been added on the west parking lot at the Lincoln Center with one parking space. The group thought the southwest parking lot offered good accessibility. Debra will call and ask Dave Siever if re -striping of these spaces and raised handicapped signs could be installed. There is a problem at the library. People park in the handicapped spaces while dropping off a book. The library has installed several 10 minute spaces but it still didn't alleviate the problem. Greg Funk said that he had suggested several times that the library install a drive -up drop off for book returns. Lori Gehricke said that she is from California and they have a book deposit similar to our drive -up banks, where the tube shoots between destina- tions. Dick Valdez reported that the railroad track on Horsetooth will have a pedes- trian crossing installed this summer. He said there had also been a complaint regarding no walk on the north side of the 1500 block of Mountain. The owner of one of the properties doesn't want to put up 1/2 of the required money to fix the walk. The city would have covered the other 1/2. CDBG program still is being worked on. These projects include Mountain & Shields, Casa Grande, and the Parks & Rec office on Bryan. Carol voiced her concerns regarding accessibility at Blevins. Dick will call and find out who is responsible and inquire about the city installing a ramp on Poudre R-1 property. Commission members asked to be present on final inspections on commercial projects. Felix Lee said he would follow up on scheduling and get back to COD. They were also interested in reviewing plans before approval is given. Debra pointed out that she used to meet with a group on a weekly basis regard- ing accessibility review on plans and everyone lost interest and quit coming. She said she would be happy to implement it again. COD Minutes Page 3 Debra was asked to check: the Allergy and Asthma Clinic for accessibility in the vestibule they added, Kinkos by the Square - the ramp is at the head of the parking space, the music store in Campus West. COD approved the use of a curtain at Western Sizzlin' for privacy at the handicapped water compartment and removal of the door which encroaches in the 48 inch front space. The minutes of the March 13, 1989 meeting were unanimously approved. Lori Gehricke asked how the Housing Authority is related to the city. She was concerned about the project on Mountain Avenue. Roy Beauchamp lives at the complex and reported all of the problems he had at this project. Building Inspection reported some of the changes they asked to be made. Carol Rice reported on the Development Services luncheon. They are encouraged to interact with other boards and commissions. Encouraged to attend other meetings. She suggested sending a member to the Planning and Zoning meetings and suggest some interaction with them. Nancy Jackson said that she and Char- lotte Kanode had sat in on the Senior Board. Nancy suggested asking for the minutes of different Boards & Commissions in lieu of attending meetings. Roy Beauchamp said he used to go to the Parks & Recreation board meetings. Hea- ther Heafer said that she would read the P & Z minutes. Carol Rice was advised at the luncheon that the city attorneys are always available for the commissions use. Carol requested an information list of what's available to members. She also asked how to get a budget for the commission and was told how to proceed. She passed this along to Felix Lee. Boardmember Gary said that he had to leave to go to another meeting but asked about affirmative action within city government. He thought maybe they could ask a member of the Employee Development office to attend and explain what steps they take to hire the handicapped. Everyone agreed. (Debra talked to Jaime Mares, Director of Employee Development. He said he didn't have any statistic available to give to the commission. He will come to a meeting and/or prepare a report for the commission. Note: There are several handi- capped people that work for the city.) Carol went on to report on 281 N. College. The Development Services Depart- ment will be moving their facility to this address. An elevator is being installed along with handicap parking spaces, but part of the second floor is not accessible. Everyone was bothered by this because it automatically dis- misses the chance of a handicapped person gaining employment in these offices. It also eliminates the handicapped doing business in these offices. She expressed her views to Mike Davis and he is going to check into a ramp. Com- mission members said they would prefer that even if it is steep and a grab bar is installed. Shirley Reichenbach reported on the parking enforcement. She made up section maps of town and attached surveys to count handicap parking spaces in town. She reported that Sgt. Mason had done a lot of work and had suggested a pre- liminary training package. Requirements she anticipates; a doctors permis- sion, background investigation by police and rigorous training, i.e. writing tickets and how to handle confrontations. She asked that everyone take a sur- vey and turn it in before the June meeting. Nancy Jackson said that the COD Minutes Page 4 Loveland Commission on Disability abandoned this project. Shirley talked to Chuck Mabry and he was very enthusiastic about it. Shirley was thanked by all commission members for all of the work that she put in on this. Council approval must be approved before the commission proceeds any further on this project. Shirley asked everyone to write letters to John Ulvang supporting an issue aimed at employers to provide health insurance to high risk people. Nancy Jackson reported on handicap placards for cars and renewal fees. She said that license plate placards places on dashboard are no longer legal, the hanging placard is needed. Roy Beauchamp is working with the police and the Coloradoan regarding double markings for life vehicles. It's possible they will do a feature story on this. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Arne Andersen, Chairman Debra Kaestner, Staff Liaison i -- Xs — FW. CITY OF LOVELAND HANDICAPPED ADVISORY COMMISSION Civic Center • 500 East Third • Loveland, Colorado 80537 Elm _ L (303)667-6130 :7 -O b� MINUTES OF APRIL 10, 1989 Present: Vic Beebe, Bob Cassidy, Debora Colbert, Bud Deegan, Gege Ellzey, Andy Howard, Sonje Jessen, Gene Kennedy, Mary Neidhardt, Fiske Reynolds, Ben Williamson, Nanci Woodson, John Slavik (City Staff Liaison), Nancy Fehl, Pat Farnham (City Council Liaison), Teresa McCormik. Guests: Tom Waganor, Rod Chapman. Chairperson Sonje Jessen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Minutes: The minutes of last meeting were were approved as written. Recording Treasurer's Report: CDBG balance $0; Revenue Sharing balance $537.56 encumbered to Project Child; Clearing Account balance $180.49; CAR -A -VAN balance $1340.83. Motion made and seconded to approve treasurer's report. Motion carried. Police Chief Tom Wagoner: The blue complimentary Handicap Space vioaltion tickets were discussed. It was the concenses on the group that they are benificial and they are fully supported by the Police Department. The possibility of HAC being able to issue regular tickets was discussed. We did not feel this was was in our best interest. The police department has gone to a beat system where different policemen are responsible for specific areas of the city. There seem to be certain areas where more violations are'being noticed. When repeat vioaltions are noticed if the police department is notified the person in charge of that beat will be alerted. Tom mentioned the state has a program where money is available to a city for increased traffic help. Funds are not available for Loveland until 1998 because the state does not feel there is a traffic problem in Loveland. It was suggested that an article be placed in the paper in regards to the correct usage of Handicap Placards and parking spaces. The Police Department is committed to working with HAC and the handicap community. In the last 2 weeks the Department has made a film on the symptoms of a diabetes attack. Other films of these types are being made and viewed by the department. The problems with identifying the mentally ill were discussed. Tom said there is not a formal list in the department but there is an informal list and most of the officers are familiar with the individuals in town who have a history of mental illness. NOD: Vic had received a personal telephone call from the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Organization on Disability, Jim Brady, informing him that Loveland had won the $1,000 award that we had applied for, to be used for the Barrier Free park. Sonje had been invited to attend the City Council meeting on April 18 to announce the award to them. An award ceremony, supported by NOD is being planned. Former President Gerald Ford and Senator Bill Armstrong are on the NOD Board and we are hopeful that they will be able to attend if given enough notice. Because of the award and the national recognition the City has agreed to release funds up -front for the park and hopefully it will be completed by June when we receive the award. 0 RAC MINUTES 04/10/89 Page 3 Chairpersons report: Sonje thanked Debi for typing up the newsletter and Andy for compling the mailing list of people and organizations. It's important to keep to community informed of our actions. Liaison Reports: Teresa mentioned the Annual Wine Fest for DRS. John reported on the Quarterly Developing Meeting at the Chilson Center, April 13, 4:OOpm to 6:00 pm. Ben and Pat will attend. The pool rails will be installed the first part of June. Pat was excited about the NOD award and we thanked her for all her help. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:45. Respect ully submitted• l Gege EllzeyJSecretary