HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 06/09/1986CITY OF FORT COLLINS
COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
MINUTES
COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
JUNE 9, 1986
The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order
by Acting Chairperson Marilyn Maxwell at 6:40 p.m., CIC Room, City Hall
West, 300 LaPorte Avenue.
Members Present: Bobbie Guye, Nancy Jackson, Penne Powers -Thomas, Arne
Anderson, Rosalie Smith, Judy Siefke, Betty Shuey,
Marilyn Maxwell
Members Absent: Bill Bertschy, Betty Pidcock, Charlotte Kanode
Staff: Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell
Guests: Diana Royval
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 12, 1986 MEETING
The minutes from the May 12 meeting were approved with the following
correction on page 2, paragraph 1: .. the 1986 Mayor's Awards Breakfast
... will be held on Thursday, October9, 1986 ...".
NEW BUSINESS
ABR Guidelines
In FY 1986, the Handicapped Information Office (HIO) will administer the
Disabled Equipment Program, which provides TTY's, TDD's, Ability Phones
and tub lifts. Neighbor -to -Neighbor, Inc. will administer the
Architectural Barrier Removal (ABR) Program which includes structural
modifications, ramps, remodeling of bathrooms, doors and kitchen
cabinets. Neighbor -to -Neighbor will be utilizing its Housing Production
Association staff to administer the program. Discussion centered around
specific criteria for both programs. A copy of the draft criteria is
enclosed.
The HIO and Neighbor -to -Neighbor will review the current City of Fort
Collins ABR application for possible revisions and report back to the
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COD. Nancy will provide the COD with a copy of a monthly report form the
HID is currently using for reporting purposes to see if it's appropriate
for the Architectural Barrier Removal Program and the Disabled Equipment
Program.
Selection of Nominating Committee for Election of Officers
Nancy and Bobbie volunteered to be on the election committee. They will
be contacting the COD members to see who is interested in serving on the
executive committee and will have the nomination form drafted for the
elections in July.
OLD BUSINESS
Plans Review Committee
Nancy reported that Bobbie is the COD representative to the Building Code
Review Committee. Their first orientation meeting was May 29 where there
was discussion regarding changes to the United Building Code (UBC). In
conjunction with Bobbie serving on that committee, Nancy will be drafting
a letter to Peter Barnes regarding the plans review process. Code
changes and comments have been compiled since inception of the COD plans
review committee. Nancy will be incorporating these items into the
letter and asking that they be considered for modifications to the UBC.
The committee will be meeting every Thursday from 11:30 to 1:00 until
August 21. They will present their draft survey to the BBA around
October 1.
As part of the building plans review process, drawings of the new
handicapped accessible fishing pier at City Park were provided for COD
review. COD was concerned that there wasn't an accessible bathroom
nearby (the nearest one is at the Fire Station) and that there didn't
appear to be appropriate lighting at the pier. There was also concern
that the planking not be made too far apart, and that it be made secure
enough to withstand the weather. Nancy will relay the concerns back to
the architect and the Parks and Recreation representative.
Handicapped Advisory Committee
Information from the Loveland Handicapped Advisory Committee will be
provided at next month's meeting.
Handicapped Accessibility Plan
Lincoln Center south entrance drawings were provided for COD approval and
sign off. The COD raised a few questions and Marilyn said she would
draft a letter to Steve White, Project Manager, for clarification. (Copy
attached)
Steve White has advised Nancy that $4,000 has been set aside for signage
to the Lincoln Center. He will be providing the COD with sample
lettering for their review and selection.
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Regarding the handicapped accessibility priority list, Steve advised
Nancy that Facilities is over budget on the Pottery Studio and they are
seeking COD approval to build a unisex bathroom. The COD members
concurred with Nancy that it would not be a problem as long as a disabled
person could access the bathroom.
1:7 Accessible Housing Ratio
At the last few meetings the COD has questioned the idea of appealing
Building Board of Appeals (BBA) decisions. Jackie reported John Huisjen,
City Attorney, had advised her that according to Chapter 3A of the City
Code, BBA decisions must be appealed to the City Council directly.
Nancy got the impression from the May BBA meeting that the BBA will
continue to grant variances as long as there are handicapped accessible
units that are available in the city that aren't occupied by disabled
people.
In reference to the Building Code Review Committee, Nancy reported that
Felix Lee is the facilitator, and that final approval of all the
recommended changes will be going before the BBA. If the COD's
recommendations are turned down at that final approval by the BBA, it
seems that the next step is to take COD concerns to the City Council.
The City Council will have to vote on the UBC changes.
Discussion centered around the variances and the fact that they are being
granted based on the economic hardship' of the developer and not the
taxpayer, as it should be. Marilyn, Nancy and possibly Bobbie, Charlotte
and Rose will begin to work on creating a communication system between
the development community and the COD.
ABRF UPDATE
Jackie reported Tom Muniz, a 14-year old with MS who lives in a Housing
Authority unit, applied for grab bars. He meets the income requirements
for a grant. The ABR program provided a ramp for Tom a few years ago.
The COD was concerned that it seems the Housing Authority is not making
their units totally handicapped accessible. The COD put the application
on hold until information from the Housing Authority was provided on the
accessibility of their units.
Regarding Bobbie Gallegos, Jackie reported on a memorandum from Steve
White indicating the total estimated cost for modification to her
parents' home. Excluding project management, management contingency or
any necessary building permits, the cost could be $2,800.
Nancy wondered if it was possible to give Ms. Gallegos a chairlift that
was granted to someone in the County through the Larimer County
Architectural Barrier Removal Program. Jackie will find out if a city
resident is eligible for the chairlift.
Nancy motioned to approve Bobbie Gallegos' application for the widening
of the front door, widening of the bathroom door and installing the
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access ramp at the front door, pending it would not be more expensive to
do it in stages. The motion was seconded and the vote was unanimous.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Because of conflict of COD members' schedules, Jackie talked about the
possibility of disbanding the Plans Review Committee. She reported that
the committee has helped raise the awareness of the Building Inspection
Department over the last year and a half and they are now identifying
more things on their own. Code changes and comments have been tallied by
the CDBG staff since the committee started reviewing plans and will be
incorporated in Nancy's letter to Building Inspection. Jackie suggested
that the committee might want to review plans on an on -call or monthly
basis when there are large sets of plans that might require COD review.
The consensus was to meet once a month.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL BARRIER REMOVAL PROGRAM AND
DISABLED EQUIPMENT PROGRAM
1. Disabled Equipment Program
a. Grant limitation of $1,000 - COD could grant an exception.
b. If grant under $1,000, no lien placed against the property.
c. Applicant required to return equipment when no longer needed.
d. No reimbursements. (Referrals can be made to the Independent
Living Assistance Project, which operates on a reimbursement
basis.)
2. Architectural Barrier Removal Program
a. Grant limitation of $2,500 - COD could grant an exception.
b. If over $2,500, lien recorded against the property.
c. Ownership of property will be verified.
d. If the property is a rental property, owner must sign waiver.
e. City will not accept a position any lower than 2nd.
3. General Requirements for ABR and Disabled Equipment Programs
a. Must be handicapped.
b. Must live within the Fort Collins city limits.
c. Must meet the HUD income guidelines - current income tax returns
will be verified.
d. No reimbursements.
e. Applicant can only apply once - COD could grant an exception.
f. Agencies are required to submit monthly reports no later than
the 30th of the month for COD review.
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