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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 06/11/1984CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY M I N U T E S COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Monday, June 11, 1984 The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Chairperson Bobbie Guye at 6:50 p.m. on Monday, June 11, 1984, at the Old Firehouse Building, 232 Walnut Street, Fort Collins, Colorado. Members Present: Eldon Decker, Bobbie Guye, Charlotte Kanode, Tim Kientz, Rosemary Kreston, Betty Pidcock, Betty Shuey, Penne Thomas Members Absent: Pat Crist, Nancy Jackson, Rosalie Smith City Staff: Diana Royval Guests: George Pidcock, Elba Alden from Community Pool, Tom Gathmann from City Engineering Department City Engineering Dept. - Tom Gathmann Tom Gathmann introduced himself as the person working on access ramps within the city. He said that it was going to be a banner year since there were to be CDBG funds, City funds, and court settlement funds available for up to 80 to 100 ramps. The court settlement funds would be translated directly into concrete work specifically designated for access ramps. He was aware of our seven priorities set last April (Downtown, Library, Hospital, University, Oakbrook, School Crossing, and Bike trail areas) and was interested in getting more input on where ramps were needed. He mentioned that the Library area would be taken care of through a separate grant through CDBG monies. He also commented that Leslie Stumpe from Parks and Recreation had already advised the ramps at the new indoor pool be a priority. There was a question about the finish to the curb cuts since they would be angled at mid corner and that causes problems for those with visual impairments. Tom said that they will be using a floating wood finish that would give more texture than a broom finish. He requested our suggestions by the end of the month but would delay until the next meeting. COD members will conduct individual surveys and report their findings at the July meeting to coalesce and prioritize. It was not clear whether the r ps will apply to malls and private parking lots, so COD members are ommended to concentrate on public areas. COMMISSION ON DISABILITY P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins. Colorado 80522 • (3031221-6758 Commission on Debility Minutes - June 11, 1984 Page 2 Tom also asked for names of other groups he may contact for additional suggestions. Members recommended the Senior Citizens Board, the DAV, Ken Sylvester at Transfort and SAINT. The latter two representatives were suggested for specific areas where patrons have to step off the curb to access Transfort or other transportation. Community Pool - Elba Alden Elba Alden introduced herself as the representative from the Community Pool replacing Peogy Walker. She is the person who has taken over the Handicapped Swim Program and the Twinges in the Hinges Program. The latter was mentioned to be one of the fastest growing programs, especially utilized by those with arthritis and Parkinsons'Disease. In response to our June 1st letter concerning the dressing room modifications, Elba said that Tom Frazier was investigating the possibilities and will be reporting back to Barbara Schoenberger. Before major changes are made (for which there are few funds) the pool staff will consult with the COD. Elba went on to talk about the access to the pool and said that the lift has provided some success. However, many persons do not like the feeling of suspension from the lift. The pool staff has discussed building or buying a portable ramp to be placed at the stairs and to be used with a special chair (regular wheelchairs are not designed for emersion in treated water). The new shower chair would probably not be stable enough. The ramp and chair would be similar to what is at Boulder Memorial and the cost for the chair is approximately $200 - $300. Elba said that there were many people interested in the new pool and its access. She and Suzie Danford would be meeting on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the indoor pool to brainstorm on strategies to ensure access at the new pool and to include a therapeutic area (i.e., a pool that would be kept at a warmer temperature). It was suggested by COD members that we try not to duplicate efforts and that we combine our interests and have the recommenda- tions come from COD to keep their credibility. Penne volunteered to be a liaison between this Commission and those interested in the pool to ensure we have kno.wledoe of their actions. She would not be able to attend the Wednesday meeting, however. There was a question on the planned opening or when building would begin on the new pool. Charlotte thought it would be January of next year. COD will request. the privilege to view the pool plans, then discuss them at the next regularly scheduled COD meeting. The plans are said to be fully accessible but supposedly they were drawn up five years ago. Elba concluded by saying that there was a new entrance to the office area at the old indoor pool to make access easier for those in wheelchairs. She went over the programs offered to the disabled community, and the schedule will be printed in the next handicapped community newsletter. She also asked if the monies mentioned in our June 1st letter would still be available from the CDBG/ABRF and was told they would be. Commission on D�ility Minutes - June lI, 1984 Page 3 Approval of Minutes Betty Shuey made the correction to a name on the third page - instead of Swab it should have read Terri Strach. Betty Pidcock moved that the minutes of May 14, 1984, be approved as corrected. The motion was seconded and passed. Liaison Reports SAINT will have its annual picnic at City Park on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They have sent out fund -seeking letters, and according to the City Manager, have been recently recognized by National Competition for Public Technological Innovations, Inc. for special programs. Ms. Cheryl Muhovich, coordinator of the Colorado Board of Care Resource Center, Medical Care and Research Foundation in Denver, was the guest speaker at the May 9th meeting of the Senior Citizen's Board to address the develop- ment and mechanics of operation for Board and Care Homes in Colorado. Ms. Muhovich gave several steps for local groups to consider establishing guidelines and/or regulations for local board and care homes, and the Senior Board is organizing their own task force to be chaired by Gail Woods. For COD members interested, Bobbie has more information on the Board and Care Coalition as well as legislation affecting such homes. Bobbie received a letter from Kathleen Kruger from the CSU library asking her to be the community contact person for those interested in training on the Kurzweil Reading Machine. Individual training sessions can be arranged upon request. The Loveland Advisory Committee is currently working on their Building Code. An elevator will be added to the library. The Committee is also investigating the higher golf fees charged to disabled golfers who use golf carts. They sent a questionnaire designed to elicit information on problem areas from the community that will be included in the next newsletter. Bobbie received an invitation from the Poudre Fire Authority for an Open House on Friday, June 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the DMA in honor of the new sprinkler system put in with CDBG funds. Bobbie also received a letter from Debbie Castor and a questionnaire re- questing the skills and other technical knowledge required of new Commission members. Accessibility Research Team Nancy Jackson and Rose Kreston met as part of the Accessibility Research Team and the 504 Campaign Committee to determine what to do about the new building on South Mason with a second floor ramp that will be leased by the State. Rose has written letters to each State agency that will be moving into the building and one to the State Building Division protesting the methods used to give access to the second floor of this building. Nancy contacted the Coloradoan and a reporter was assioned to the story. The Commission on Diftility Minutes - June 11, 1984 Page 4 article appeared in the Saturday Coloradoan (6/2/84). The ramp is within code. However, Rose pointed out that the code is not enough since the ramp's length and height are not acceptable as the only means of access unless everyone in the building has to use the same method of reaching the second floor. The entrance to the first floor is on the opposite side of the ramp and there is no interior elevator. Diana Royval and Rose Kreston viewed plans at the City Hall, Engineering Dept., on June 7th, 2:00 p.m., as part of the arrangements set up with the City. The purpose is to review plans for new buildings in Fort Collins in regard to accessibility. The plans viewed included two churches and two apartment complexes. Specific problems were mentioned especially about the inaccessibility of the apartment complexes. COD members will have time to view such plans every other Thursday in the Engineering Conference Room, lower level of the West City Hall. Next scheduled meeting will be June 21st, 2:00 p.m. Comment was made on monitoring the new shopping center at Evergreen Park on North College. Nominating Committee Betty Shuey reported on the candidates for the executive board of the Commission. Bobbie Guye - Chairperson, Charlotte Kanode and Nancy Jackson Vice Chairperson, Nancy Jackson and Rosalie Smith - Secretary. Penne Thomas and Betty Pidcock expressed interest in the Member -at -Large posi- tion. Voting will take place at the July meeting. Transportation Advisory Board Betty Shuey reported that the Citizens' Transportation Advisory Board had its first meeting and will have its next meeting on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Center library. They will be charged with evaluating ideas from Ken Sylvester as well as formulating suggestions of their own. The focus for the coming months will be on the new buses and the routes. Eldon Decker commented that what affects Transfort will also affect the SAINT Program since they are also involved with the transportation of people in Fort Collins. ABRF Applications Diana Royval reported that there were two recent applications, including a rather lengthy one from Loretto Bishop. Ms. Bishop is a Housing Authority applicant who is allergic to nearly everything in a regular apartment. The Housing Authority has offered her a second floor one -bedroom apartment. Her request is to replace the kitchen cabinets with all wood cabinets due to her severe allergic reactions. The Housing Authority does not want a lien on its property. It was suggested we all get a copy of this application (which includes reports from the applicant's doctor and the Housing Authority personnel) to give it a fair evaluation. The second application is from Robert and Princess Cooper who are requesting protective wall covering and a grab bar for their accessible Housing Authority apartment. Commission on Dis*ity • Minutes - June 11, 1984 Page 5 Thedeadline for our CDBG/ABRF request proposal is Friday. The motion was made by Charlotte that the amount stay the same ($20,000) as last year. It was seconded and approved. Charlotte made a motion to allocate $1,000 from ABR funds for administrative costs for COD and that was seconded and approved. New Business Tim reported that the new high tech loan closet will be submitting their own CDBG grant and that the Rehab area at the hospital has agreed to house the equipment. Maintenance is guaranteed for one year by a group of local engineers. Some items have been donated and the Committee is in the process of prioriti- zing the list of items they complied. Diane Brown, a speech therapist and member of the.Committee, told Tim that after 12 months, it will be possible that the loan closet could be financed by United Way. To qualify for equipment, a client will have to be referred by a physician. The service will be county wide. Tim will continue to keep in contact with the Committee, and report developments back to the COD. Miscellaneous Diana Royval brought cake to celebrate two members' birthdays, her own and Betty Shuey's and to honor departing members, Rose Kreston and Pat Crist. Adjournment There being no further business, Tim made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at approximately 8:50 p.m. The motion was seconded and carried. Respectfully submitted, Rose Kreston, Acting Secretary NOTE: Diana Royval spoke to Tom Gathmann regarding the possibility of access ramps provided by the City for private property such as shopping centers, etc. He suggested that the Commission on Disability members submit names of those private properties which are a concern to them and a letter would be sent from the City Engineering Department to those property owners advising them that a problem has been identified by the Commision on Disability. The property owners will be asked to correct the problem at their own expense, but if that is not possible, the City would offer to pay for half of the costs.