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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 11/10/1986- CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY The regular meeting Chairperson Marilyn 300 LaPorte Avenue. Members Present: Members Absent: Staff: Guest(s): APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY NOVEMBER 10, 1986 of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Maxwell at 6:40 p.m., in the CIC Room, City Hall West, Nancy Jackson, Marilyn Maxwell, Betty Shuey, Bobbie Guye Betty Pidcock, Bill Bertschy, Penne Powers -Thomas, Rosalie Smith, Arne Andersen, Judy Siefke, Charlotte Kanode Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell Ken Sylvester, Transfort Manager Because of the lack of a quorum, the COD members will approve the following correction(s) to the October 6 minutes at their December 8 meeting: Page 1, Members Present, Betty Shuey was present. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND SPEAKERS Ken Sylvester, Transfort Manager, spoke about the new 504 rule, which requires that recipients of UMTA Section 9 funds submit an accessibility program to UMTA by May 23, 1987. Six service criteria must be met, and are subject to a 3% limitation on the total operating budget. Those costs used as part of the 3%, can only be associated with the "physically" handicapped. Mental handicaps, service to senior citizens, unless they are physically handicapped, do not count. Care -A -Van does not receive Section 9 funding directly and does not have to adhere to the 3% guideline. Any possible loss in revenue as a direct cost within that 3%, cannot be counted. If all the service criteria can be met a lower cost, the transit agency is not required to allocate the entire 3% of total operating costs. In turn, any agency may voluntarily spend more than the amount of its limit P.O. Box 580 9 Fort Collins. Colorado 80522 • (303) 221-6758 COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Minutes - November ! 1986 Page-2 11 Mr. Sylvester advised that UMTA wants local communities to develop and tailor their own appropriate services to the handicapped. He reported that the City is in the planning process, and is trying to get recommendations together. A drafted plan will be submitted to the Region VIII office soon. They must prove and document that the Transit Plan, which was made City policy in the Spring of 1985, is being followed. They will then wait to here from UMTA on what necessary steps will need to be taken to fully meet the 504 regulations for transportation. The City has six years from the date the Plan becomes law to accomplish everything that is stated in the plan. Concerning the lift -equipped buses, Mr. Sylvester advised that they are not being used. He has gone out to the public schools and has contacted a number of large employers to let them know these buses are available for their employees. He has placed articles in the Coloradoan and the Collegian. As a possible solution, he asked how the COD felt about setting aside two vans and using them solely for providing transportation to the handicapped community. The COD felt it would be a good idea if it could become a reliable service. He reported that large cities encounter the same type of problems in trying to get the public to utilize the buses. Mr. Sylvester will continue to keep the COD informed. He will submit the existing City Transit Plan to UMTA and wait for a response. He thought after January 1, committees could be formed and public hearings could be held to solicit ideas and comments on the need for handicapped transportation; and then submit the final plan. The COD felt that more advertising would be necessary during the process of soliciting public input. They recommended utilizing the radio and possibly placing a series of small, eye-catching ads in the local newspapers. NEW BUSINESS Marilyn announced Bill Bertschy's resignation from the Commission. In a resignation letter he cites he doesn't have time to fully devote himself to the Commission due to his busy work schedule, but he will continue to try to work with the COD in the future. The COD members discussed the issue of continued absences from the meetings. They agreed that a letter to the members was appropriate, reminding them that no more than two unexcused meetings can be missed. COD members shared the concern that Care -A -Van is not providing service in a timely manner, causing some members to be tardy for their meetings. It was suggested that a letter be sent to the Director of Care -A -Van citing this problem and inviting her to a meeting. Minutes - November 0, 1986 • Page-3 Nancy asked that a meeting be scheduled to review the by-laws, and to look into having non -voting members sit on the Commission. Betty Shuey thought it was time to review the COD's goals and objectives. The January meeting was set up for a worksession to discuss the by-laws and review the goals and objectives. OLD BUSINESS Jackie reported that at their October 7 meeting, the Building Board of Appeals had reviewed the recommendations from the Code Review Committee. Changes were made to the recommendations and then approved as written. ABRF UPDATE Jackie reported that an application from the Larimer Community Alcohol Services (LCAS) had been submitted. They are requesting a ramp from the parking lot to the main level of the building, and porch floor and doorway modifications. They estimate the project at $3,400 and Larry Michaud, Project Manager for Neighbor -to -Neighbor, had not inspected the facility yet. Because they have an existing mortgage on the property they are only requesting $2,500 in order to not have a lien placed on the property. Because the entire building must be made accessible before they can get their United Way and Human Resource funds, the COD was concerned that LCAS did not mention anything about the bathroom being made accessible. Since there was not a quorum present, the COD will review this application at the December meeting, and ask LCAS to provide information on where the matching funds will come from. The COD will also ask LCAS to escrow the matching funds before the project goes out to bid. Jackie reported the Handicapped Information Office received three applications for the following disabled equipment: a telephone amplifier, an alert -system for a baby, and a tubmate. The application for the telephone amplifier was denied because the applicant lived outside of the city limits. The applications for an alert system and a tubmate were approved. MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS Bobbie reported that the Greeley Center for Independence was sponsoring a basketball game with the Denver Nuggets wheelchair basketball team, on Saturday, November 15, 1986 at 7:30 p.m. at the Greeley Central High School Gymnasium. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.