HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 02/08/1988CITY OF FORT COLLINS
COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
MINUTES
COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
Febraury 8, 1988
Chairperson Judy Siefke called the meeting of the Commission on Disability
to order at 6:34 p.m., in the CIC Room, City Hall West, 300 LaPorte Avenue.
Members Present: Judy Siefke, Arne Andersen, Nancy Jackson,
Dianne Radford, Heather Heafer, Helen Barr,
Bobbie Guye, Shirley Reichenbach, Marilyn
Maxwell
Members Absent: Charlotte Kanode, Carol Rice
Staff :
Guests:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell
John Daggett, Transfort
Steve White, Facilities
Nancy Cizar
COD members unanimously approved the minutes from the January 11 meeting as
written.
NEW BUSINESS
Handicapped Accessible Buses for the City of Fort Collins
John Daggett reported that tfie City of Fort Collins is waiting to hear on
the approval of the City's 1988 Urban Mass Transportation Authority (UMTA)
grant. He explained that an organization called the North Front Range
Transportation Planning Council has not yet approved the grant. The Trans-
portation Planning Council is made up of elected officials within Larimer
and Weld Counties. They have requested from the Governor of Colorado
designation as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). As a MPO, the
Council can approve the Transportation Improvements Program, which will
allow the UMTA grant to be funded.
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COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
P.O. Box 580 . Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 . (303) 221-6758
Minutes - February 1988
Page 2
•
Mr. Daggett said the Governor has not given the Planning Council MPO desig-
nation. Mr. Daggett was hopeful that the Planning Council would approve
the City's grant by the end of March.
He reported that the UMTA and the City are applying pressure for the Coun-
cil to meet and act on the grant submittal. The grant includes three lift -
equipped, 20-passenger minibuses. The City will lease the buses to Care -A -
Van as part of Care-A-Van's 1988 contract with the City. Mr. Daggett said
the performance of the system should improve with the addition of the
buses.
Section 504 Plan
Mr. Daggett announced that the Supreme Court made a decision in December
regarding 504 Plans throughout the country. The decision eliminates the 3%
cap on transportation spending requirements for the handicapped. Transit
agencies across the country will have to provide services to the handi-
capped regardless of the cost.
Mr. Daggett reported that most cities will probably fight this decision at
higher levels. The decision did not affect the City of Collins 504 Plan
because the Plan was approved before the court hearing. He announced the
Plan is now being passed around the region as a model.
Mr. Daggett asked for questions or complaints concerning Transfort's or
Care-A-Van's services. Nancy knew of an individual who uses Care -A -Van,
but was having difficulty getting home from work in the afternoons. Mr.
Daggett said it sounded like a scheduling problem. He suggested to Nancy
that she assist that individual in contacting the dispatcher or operations
manager. If the problem is not resolved, the individual should contact
Care-A-Van's Director.
Jackie expressed her concern that COD members who use Care -A -Van have been
arriving at the COD meetings up to one-half hour late. She pointed out
that they arrived on time for this meeting. Bobbie reported Care -A -Van
drivers were now using beepers. Mr. Daggett asked Jackie to contact him
if COD members arrived late for future meetings.
Mr. Daggett said the UMTA grant is for $853,000. If the Planning Council
does not approve the grant by March, the City will have to reapply in June.
Until then, Transfort will be operating on the City's funds of $400,000.
The COD discussed the process of obtaining matching funds. They talked
about Care-A-Van's one-year renewable contract. They discussed the appear-
ance of the buses. Mr. Daggett would like to get more private sector
involvement. He would also like to see Transfort's services expanded,
e.g., late night/evening, shared taxi and van pooling services.
'Minutes - Februar� 1988 •
Page 3
OLD BUSINESS
Handicapped Signage
Steve White presented sign samples in Helvetica lettering. After inspec-
tion of the signs, COD members found the lettering acceptable. Jackie will
keep a sample for the files.
Mr. White reported that the City has submitted plans to the CHOICES 95 Com-
mittee for a new senior citizens center. The City still has to do minor
repairs to the Downtown Community Center on Remington Street. The City
would like input from the COD on whether they should hold off on the
repairs or wait to see what the CHOICES 95 Committee recommends.
If recommended, the COD asked how long before the City built a new center.
Mr. White didn't have a time frame, but the center would be one of the
first capital projects.
Mr. White listed the repairs. The controls to the elevator have been low-
ered. Extend a ramp in the Men's locker room. Lower a telephone coin
slot. Raise a sink in the Men's shower room. Add a handicapped seat and
grab bars to the shower compartments.
Arne said the modifications didn't sound very extensive. Mr. White said
the architect had estimated the repairs at around $1800. The COD suggested
that the City should do the repairs.
Goals and Objectives for 1988
The COD reviewed the Goals and Objectives for 1987. A copy of the revised
goals and objectives is attached for the March 14 meeting. (NOTE: Items
with asterisks require further discussion.)
ABRF UPDATE
Jackie reported that she had not received an ABR report from Neighbor -to -
Neighbor. (Note: Neighbor -to -Neighbor submitted a report after this meet-
ing. A copy is attached.)
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
• • Draft
COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
1988 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
I. GOAL - Promote awareness of the needs and concerns of people with
disabilities to City Council and the general public.
A. OBJECTIVE - Establish methods of disseminating information in an
effort to address issues before they become confrontational.
1. To serve in an advisory capacity to City Council.
2. Meet as needed with community/business leaders to discuss var-
ious issues of concern to citizens with disabilities.
3. Representation at City Council meetings on issues of particu-
lar interest.
II. GOAL - Educate people with disabilities and the general public on
available services.
A. OBJECTIVE - Utilize public relations methods.
*1. Better media exposure through press releases.
*2. Include a flyer in the Welcome Wagon handouts to newcomers,
which would explain the Commission's services.
3. The Mayor's Award Breakfast is an ongoing project of -the Com-
mission. (Held in conjunction with Hire the Handicapped Week,
which promotes employment opportunities for people with dis-
abilities.)
4. Co-sponsor the "News from the Handicapped Community," another
on -going project of the Commission.
5. Involvement with the CSU Handicapped Awareness Days program
which occurs each spring.
B. Solicit input through various media from the community at large in
relation to Commission on Disability issues.
III. GOAL - Advocate for people with disabilities.
*A. OBJECTIVE - Create specific programs and provide opportunities.
1. Encourage Leadership Fort Collins to include people with
disabilities.
2. Network with other boards and commissions for exchange of ideas
and information.
a. Exchange minutes.
b. Attend special meetings.
3. Maintain a working relationship with Transfort's Handicapped
Accessibility Program.
4. Develop a mechanism to increase awareness of available acces-
sible housing.
a. Communicate with realtors, contractors, and appropriate
city departments to obtain information.
b. Post information at various agencies.
c. Print information in Handicapped Newsletter.
5. Provide a team to assist with the City's Building Inspection
Department with final accessible walk-throughs.
6. Participate in building plans review on an on -call basis.
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