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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 02/11/1985CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Monday, February 11, 1985 The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Chairperson Bobbie Guye at 6:44 p.m. on Monday, February 11, 1985 at the Old Fire Station, 232 Walnut Street, Fort Collins, Colorado. Members Present: Charlotte Kanode, Betty Pidcock, Betty Shuey, Rosalie Smith, Penne Powers Thomas, Eldon Decker, Bobbie Guye, Nancy Jackson, Judy Siefke, Bill Bertschy City Staff: Diana Royval Guest: Jack Gianola, City of Fort Collins Special Projects Manager APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes were approved as corrected: On page 2, second paragragh, "Adopt -A -Senior" should read "Adopt -A -Neighbor". The bottom paragraph of page 3 should say that the department is circling items in red that are not within code. In paragraph 6 of page 4, the correct spelling is Gerri Jewell. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Senior Board - No report Loveland Handicap Advisory Commission Bobbie Guye reported that Loveland has plans to. incorporate a transportation program similar to the Fort Collins SAINT program. The Loveland Commission became interested in the project after Joan Widham, director of the Fort Collins SAINT program, gave a presentation on it. In addition, the Loveland Commission has proposed building code changes, per ANSI standards, to the City of Loveland. Copy attached for COD review. P.O. Box 580 - Fort Collins, Colorado B0522 - (303) 221-6758 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM • Commission on Disability February 11, 1985 Page 2 Section 504 The last City meeting concerned with compliance of section 504 was January 23, 1985 and the next meeting will be February 15, 1985. According to a January 23rd communication from Tom Frazier, the signage for City Hall has been bid out and was awarded to American Sign Company of Fort Collins. The building directory sign in City Hall West is to be removed rather than replaced. Tom Frazier felt the information clerk who is in the lobby to answer questions would be adequate. It was the consensus of the Commission that this would not be an acceptable substitute as a person is not there at all times and it is difficult to see over the information desk. Bobbie will respond in a letter to Tom Frazier. The only accessible entrance to City Hall East is at the rear (north) of the building which can currently only be reached by going completely around the building then confronting ice in the parking lot and construction vehicles blocking the ramp. Because Utility Billing and Police are in' this building, it's important that it be easily accessible to the public. The remodel of the second floor bathroom has been completed with only one stall per bathroom. Dick Valdez, City Engineering Department, Rose Kreston and Nancy Jackson inspected the access in front of the Public Library. There is concern because the steep slope of the street makes a big dip in the ramp that runs from the street to the sidewalk. Because of the dip, water collects at that spot whenever there is snow melt or rain. Ideas to correct the problem included filling in the dip and/or providing a culvert for the water to pass through. Rosalie suggested that the handicap space could be moved to the south end where the road is more level. Eldon Decker mentioned the possibility of a back entrance when the Library is remodeled. Indoor Pool 8 Ice Arena Jack Gianola, Special Projects Manager in charge of the new indoor pool and ice arena at Edora Park, presented the building plans and asked for COD members' input. The COD concerns centered on the small number of handicap parking spaces (4 out of a total of 450 spaces were indicated), pool access and access to the seating areas. Special concerns regarding the unisex changing rooms were discussed with the consensus being that shower facilities for these rooms should definitely be included. Currently all spectator seating is on the second floor with steps .leading to the bleachers. There is no flat, accessible viewing area for individuals in wheelchairs. There is an elevator to the second Commission on Disability Minutes - February 11, 1985 Page 3 floor but that is the only access to that level. Discussion followed regarding having ramps replace the stairs in at least one location to serve as a second access. The handicapped accessible toilet facilities in both the men's and women's locker rooms were satisfactory. Members were concerned that the COD had not been advised or contacted for review of the plans prior to this date. Bobbie will send a letter to Barbara Schoenberger, Aquatics Director, with our recommendations. Rose Kreston, former COD member, is on the Advisory Committee and has been reviewing the plans for accessibility to date. Diana will contact Rose and suggest she incorporate the COD's concerns at the next advisory meeting. The Commission requested that Mr. Gianola return when plans are more final for further review by the Commission. The complex is scheduled to start this spring and be completed by December 31, 1986. BUILDING PLANS REVIEW Diana reported on the building plans review committee. Present at the last review were Charlotte and Bill Kanode, Rose Kreston and Diana Royval. Three buildings were reviewed. The first, a shopping mall on Riverside Drive, had no access to the second level. The developer of a forty-two unit apartment complex at West Myrtle requested a waiver of the one in seven ratio and wanted just four of their units to be handicapped accessible. COD recommended the required number. Review of the Larimer County Community Center showed that it needs more accessible bathrooms and access to the building was questionable. Plans Examiner Roy Allen, will join the group this Thursday, February 14, 1985 to explain the Code and what the City looks for in the plans. Two complaints have been received by COD members from a disabled person. One concerned a dance studio in Old Town Plaza which is inaccessible. . Another was about an architectural firm whose office is up a flight of stairs also in Old Town. The office is part of an old building renovation and not required to be totally accessible. It was noted that the ramp for the new Helmshire Inn was on the north side of the building, which side usually stays icy longer. However, since this side was also the main entrance, it was determined acceptable. ACCESSIBLE HOUSING The Accessibility Housing Committee, comprised of members from the handicap sector and a group of developers met for a breakfast meeting •on February 7, 1985 and reviewed recommendations for accessible units with respect to House Bill 1477. House Bill 1477 puts the ratio of Commission on Disability Minutes - February 11, 1985 Page 4 handicapped units to other units at 1:7 but it is not being enforced by the City at this time. Current UBC standards are now 1:99. In general, the developers felt that 1:7 was unreasonably high and want the requirement changed to 1:25 as a compromise. Representatives from the handicapped community were emphatic that the 1:7 was not an unreasonable figure and that it builds in a potential for housing while not excluding able-bodied individuals from living in the units. The committees will meet again individually before coming together as a group to discuss this issue further. No report CITIZEN TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD ARCHITECTURAL BARRIER REMOVAL PROGRAM Diana reported that Loretto Bishop's lawyer has sent an appeal and request for review of the Commission on Disability's decision to the City Council and the City Attorney is reviewing the case. Bill Williams received approval for his wife, Norma, for a ramp, tub lift and grab bars. NEW BUSINESS The Policy Statement on Ethics was read to the Commission. It was felt that although all members had an interest in disability, this interest had served as part of the criteria for Commission selection and that there was no conflict with the policy statement. Many of our members are active in dispelling the myths and informing the public about handicaps and in promoting opportunity for handicapped individuals by speaking to various groups. Charlotte Kanode and Haze have given four presentations on the visually impaired to schools since the first of the year. She has even given a talk to her grandchildren's school in Fort Worth, Texas and has spoken to police awareness classes. Bobbie Guye is currently involved in explaining and showing films on the handicapped horseback riding classes to civil groups. Nancy mentioned that there is a speakers bureau at the Handicapped Information Office. Bobbie will check on the procedure to make amendments to the UBC (United Building Code) so that COD can begin to discuss and develop amendments. A copy of the proposed Loveland amendments will be sent out with this month's minutes so that discussion can begin at the next meeting. r Commission on Disability Minutes - February•11, 1985 Page 5 March 2nd will be the Handicap Information Fair at the Foothills Mall. The HID will provide transportation through Care -A -Van. Transportation will also be provided to the Polls on march 5, 1985. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judy Siefke Secretary