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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 05/09/19880 CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY May 9, 1988 Chairperson Judy Siefke called the meeting of the Commission on Disability to order at 6:38 p.m., in the CIC Room, City Hall West, 300 LaPorte Avenue. Members Present: Members Absent: Staff: Guests: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Charlotte Kanode, Nancy Jackson, Carol Rice, Heather Heafer, Judy Siefke, Shirley Reichen- bach, Helen Barr, Arne Andersen Bobbie Guye, Dianne Radford, Marilyn Maxwell Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell Nancy Cisar COD members unanimously approved the minutes from the April 11 meeting as written. NEW BUSINESS Shirley reported there is a bill coming up before the Senate concerning pooled risk insurance. Currently, most insurance companies deny insurance or charge exorbitant rates to people with disabilities or who have diabetes. The bill will make it mandatory for insurance companies to accept these people on routine insurance rates, on a lottery basis. She reported that State Representative John Ulvang has voted against the bill. His main objection is that it will be too expensive for the state. He cites the example of a similar bill that was passed in Minnesota. Shir- ley reported that Colorado's bill is different from Minnesota's because it would place more liability on the insurance companies and less on the state. Shirley suggested to those interested; to contact Mr. Ulvang and COMMISSION ON DISABILITY T P.O. Box 580 . Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 . (303) 221-6758 1. Minutes - May 9, 1988 Page 2 urge him to support the reading of the work and home phone numbers. She said ation in seventeen states and is fairly OLD BUSINESS bill. Shirley gave out Mr. Ulvang's that this type of system is in oper- successful. Boards and Commission Review Update Commission members agreed that the COD did a good job before City Council in presenting its opposition to the merger. They wondered if there had been any responses. Jackie reported there had no been responses to the letters, or any comments back from the City Council. The Council will make a deci- sion at their worksession on May 10. The worksession will be televised on Channel 27. Jackie reported COD members can attend the worksession, but can't speak. It was suggested to send thank you letters to the different agencies which had supported the COD. It was also suggested that something be put in the Applause Section of the Coloradoan. The COD decided to wait to do this until after the worksession. Commission members asked what Loren Maxey's opinion was on this issue. They wondered if they could get some feedback from him since he is the Council Liaison to the COD. Judy volunteered to call him and then contact Jackie with information. Handicapped Access Curb Cuts Judy passed around a letter she wrote to the Committee for Disabled Student Accessibility at CSU. Judy reported that since CSU and the City will soon be widening Shields Street, she recommended to the Committee that they con- sider putting curb cuts on the CSU side of Laurel and Lake Streets. Miscellaneous Carol reported she has had no luck in contacting the appropriate people in Colorado Springs who have authorized disabled citizens to issue handicapped tickets. She said she will be going to Colorado Springs soon and will look into it then. NOTE: Jackie contacted the Colorado Springs Police Department. They are going to send her information on their Disabled Parking Patrol. Shirley recommended that a couple of 5 - 10 minute parking spaces be put in front of the Public Library for dropping off books. She reported that people are parking in the handicapped parking spaces "just to drop off a book." Jackie said she would contact the appropriate department. Minutes - May 9, 1988 Page 3 NOTE: Jackie has scheduled a meeting with Jane Davis, Library Director, and Shirley for Thursday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the Library to discuss alterna- tive parking. Shirley reported that she had contacted the Denver Commission on the Dis- abled for information on accessible facilities in Mile High Denver. They sent her a brochure which lists banks, parks, restaurants, public buildings, etc., which are wheelchair accessible. It also lists accessible restrooms. Shirley asked if the City had anything similar. Jackie was not aware of it. She'said she would contact the Commission for information and make that sug- gestion to the Engineering Department. NOTE: Jackie contacted the Commission in Denver and she received the attached letter. Commission members were concerned that although the Subway shop on Lemay has handicapped parking spaces, there isn't an access ramp to the building. The COD felt that since this is a fairly new building, Building Inspection should make the owner go back and make that correction. Jackie said she would contact the Building Inspection Department. NOTE: Jackie contacted Peter Barnes with the Building Inspection Depart- ment. He has advised her that the owner of the building has agreed to put in an access ramp. Commission members were concerned that there are no sidewalks on Plum Street west from Shields. Nancy reported that she has been trying to contact Rick Ensdorff, the project manager of the Bull Farm Project. She has had no response from him on what the City plans to do with Plum Street. She sug- gested the COD invite Mr. Ensdorff to future meetings. COD members' biggest concern regarding the Bull Farm Project is the nine - acre section next to it which is zoned for commercial use. No one has pur- chased it yet and that is holding up completion of an accessible sidewalk along Elizabeth or Plum Streets. If no one purchases it for a long time that sidewalk will remain incomplete from the corner of City Park and either Elizabeth or Plum Streets. Jackie said she would contact Mr. Ensdorff con- cerning this matter. COD members talked about the proposed construction of the Raintree residen- tial project, a 448-unit apartment complex on Shields. They asked what was being proposed for accessible units. Jackie was not sure but would check into it. Commission members discussed the new landscaping being done at the CSU cen- ter area. It seems they are putting in trees directly under the electric Minutes - May 9, 1988 Page 4 lines. They also seem to be landscaping right up to the road with no plans to put in sidewalks. Jackie said she would contact the Engineering Depart- ment. ABRF UPDATE Jackie reported there were no new applications. Megting Adjourned at 8:40 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: THE AGENDA FOR THE JUNE 13, 1988 MEETING WAS NOT READY TO BE SENT WITH THE MAY MINUTES. YOU SHOULD BE RECEIVING THE AGENDA WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS.