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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 05/14/1984CITY OAORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY May 14, 1984 The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order by acting Chairperson Rose Kreston at 6:38 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 1984, in the CIC Room, New Municipal Building, 300 W. LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, Colo. Members Present: Eldon Decker, Nancy Jackson, Charlotte Kanode, Rosemary Kreston, Betty Shuey, Rosalie Smith Members Absent: Pat Crist, Bobbie Guye, Tim Kientz, Betty Pidcock, Penne Thomas City Staff: Diana Royval Guests: Jim Madsen; Councilmember Kelly Ohlson; Interpreter Tom Kowalski; Chairperson of City 504 Coordinating Committee, Verna Lewis; 504 Committee Members: Leslie Stumpe, Parks & Recreation; Ken Sylvester Transfort; Public Management Interns: Mark Rohloff, Bill Anderson City of Fort Collins Coordinating Committee on Section 504 Regulations Verna Lewis introduced the members of the Committee who were present: Stumpe, Sylvester, Rohloff, and Anderson, plus Rose Kreston and Diana Royval, who were also present as COD members. Other Committee members included Bobbie Guye, Susie Danford (Parks and Recreation) and Mike Herzig. Eric Kringle has also been invited to join the Committee. This joint meeting with COD was the third public hearing in the City's self - evaluation plan regarding 504 Compliance. It followed the newly initiated policy of including an access statement with all meeting notices and an in- vitation for any who desired to participate to contact the City previous to the meeting regarding any accommodations which they might need. This was to be the final public hearing in this evaluation phase of the Committee's work, however Lewis stressed that they are always open to input. The next step will be to develop a "transition plan" which will be ready in the Fall. Even then the Committee will remain open and receptive to citizen input. ,rr� COMMISSION ON DISABILITY `L P.O. Box 580 . Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 . (3031 221-6758 Commission on Daility Minutes - May 14, 1984 Page 2 Leslie Stumpe reported that H.R. Phillips of Parks and Recreation responded favorably to the report which pointed out areas of need to make accessibility complete in that department's facilities. Verna Lewis mentioned the investigation of accessibility of the Old Town Renovation. Felix Lee discussed this with builders. The Plaza will be accessible as will be most of the buildings. A few exceptions are in older buildings. Eldon Decker suggested that a good source of ongoing feedback regarding accessi- bility would be drivers for Transfort, Care -A -Van and SAINT who often get comments from their clients/riders, or observe situations which pose problems for the handicapped. Rose Kreston stated that part of the challenge here is to inform persons regard- ing 504 and suggested a feature story in local papers to inform the general population and bring about increased awareness. Nancy Jackson suggested in- cluding the Loveland as well as Fort Collins papers. Lewis stated that the goal is to fully implement 504 and keep the City in compliance above and beyond the legal requirements. Councilmember Ohlson voiced a strong commitment by City Council to follow through on recommendations from the working committee. Kreston mentioned a fairly new building at Horsetooth and College (Famous Footwear) whcih has no curb cuts. This points out that slip-ups are still occurring despite current official policy. Lewis read a memo of March 28, 1984 regarding review of building plans. The memo was from Peter Barnes and in reply to the request for review privileges to monitor compliance with accessibility requirements. Barnes will make plans available in an accessible room every two weeks. (Copy attached). Any comments regarding deficiencies would then to go to the building inspector for review and enforcement within building code regulations. The Coordinating Committee and COD members were all pleased at this positive response to our request and several expressed interest in being part of the implementation of this review. Kreston requested that the Coordinating Committee plans include sensitivity training for City employees. Lewis replied that this will become a part of the City employee development program. COD members expressed appreciation to the Coordinating Committee members for joining this meeting and for their commitment to this effort. Citizen's Transportation Advisory Board Ken Sylvester announced that Senior members of the Advisory Board will be Tracy Brockwell, Wilson Wilmarth, and Chet Ellenberger. Previously named representatives of the handicapped community are: Betty Shuey, Bill Way, Commission on • ability Minutes - May 14, 1984 Page 3 Rose Kreston and Terry Swab. Susie Danford will serve as an alternate. Nancy Jackson noted that Charlotte Kanode has expressed a willingness to serve and she will be a Senior alternate. The initial meeting was set for Wednesday, Play 23rd at 6:30 p.m. in the new Transportation Building on Trilby Road. Approval of Minutes Nancy Jackson moved that the minutes of April 9, 1984 be approved as written. The motion was seconded and passed. Liaison Reports Senior Citizens Board, at its April 11th meeting set up a May 9th meeting at which Cheryl Mahavic of the Medical Care and Research Foundation and other representatives from care facilities could deal with plans to monitor small "board and care"facilities. The meeting was productive in moving toward a monitoring mechanism, especially regarding health and safety features (including cleanliness). Smaller facilities fall outside established re- gulating mechanisms because of their size. Study is needed to determine where responsibility lay for enforcement of standards and for covering costs of moni- toring. SAINT is receiving about 160 calls for rides per week. There is a great need for more drivers. The Mountain Bell Consumer Panel met on May 4th. The background color of the phone statements is being changed to ease reading for sight impaired. 70% of low-income citizens do not have phones. The limiting factor seems to be the initial deposit cost. The idea was brought up of establishing some kind of a grant mechanism to meet deposit costs. Swimming Pool Modifications Councilmember Ohlson and COD members discussed the continuing problems regarding the community pool and possibility of changes for increased accessibility. Ohlson stated that the pool will need approximately $900,000 in repairs within the next five years to stay usable. He thinks it will probably be closed instead but that this need not totally preclude some changes for accessibility which could at least be utilized for as long as it remains open. Plans for the new Edora Park pool, just authorized in the election, are already five years old. These need reviewing. Charlotte Kanode will contact Tom Frazier regarding review of plans for accessibility factors. Commission on Debility . Minutes - May 14, 1984 Page 4 Accessibility Research Team Rose Kreston reported that the letter regarding Oakbrook is still pending. Update on ABRF Applications The application from Sulema Poole has been reviewed. She meets income level requirements. Estimated costs will be $6-8,000 to provide for an addition which will accommodate an accessible bathroom and provide other interior alterations. Mrs. Poole is currently out of town and work will be delayed about one month until her return. The Neighbor -to -Neighbor "Transitional House" which was moved to University Avenue needs a porch lift to make the first floor accessible. The house will be used to provide temporary housing and will have a live-in custodial attendant. Plans for Architectural Review (See report of memo from Peter Barnes as made by Verna Lewis at Coordinating Committee presentation.) It was agreed that COD needs to make a response and follow-up on the opportunity we are being given to review building plans. Contact needs to be made to the two architects whom Bobbie Guye recommended for possible pro- fessional help. Charlotte Kanode's husband and Betty Shuey's son may also be sources of more professional help. Rose Kreston expressed interest in serving on the committee. Diana Royval will proceed to set up an initial meeting and give all COD members notice thereof. Ohlson suggested that it would be a wise idea for some of COD members to attend one of the regular monthly work sessions of the Planning and Zoning Board to increase our own awareness of their activities and responsibilities. He reminded us that the P & Z Board makes many of the decisions and that City Council only gets involved in appeals situations. Nominating Committee COD By -Laws call for July election of officers with a nomination slate submitted at the June meeting. Rose Kreston and Betty Shuey agreed to serve as a Nominating Committee. Commission Membership Pat Crist has moved to Loveland and was approved by City Council to continue her membership on COD until her term expires in June 1986, but has since de- cided to resign her position to make way for more active, local participation. Commission on L��bility Minutes - May 1� 1984 • Page 5 Rose Kreston's term expires in June, 1984 and because she has moved outside the Urban Growth Area, she will probably not be eligible for another term. Diana Royval will be on leave from her position from September through December 1984. As we approach the Fall and plans for the Mayor's Breakfast are started, COD needs to be especially aware of covering the many details which she previously attended. High -Tech Loan Closet Jill Voight, Social Worker at Poudre Valley Hospital (including Neuro-Surgery patients), has contacted Handicapped Information Office (HIO) regarding a High -Tech Loan Closet. She is working with Pete Callow, Information Systems Director of the City, in making plans. She asked HID specifically where such a closet might be located. The proposed Larimer Community Services Building (planned for 1985 or 1986) seems the most feasible location; with temporary location at PVH. Concern was expressed regarding the reality of the needs for such equipment being temporary and duplication of the ABR equipment program. News of 504 Nancy Jackson has received a letter from Senator Bill Armstrong regarding the 1983 tax break for removal of architectural barriers. A new bill has been introduced which would increase the dollar amount of such a tax break and extend it for two years. Jackson and Rose Kreston attended meetings on Civil Rights on April 26th in Greeley. Nancy addressed the conference regarding various Northern Colorado agencies. Court decisions have recently upheld a broad -based coverage of 504 by its interpretation in the Darrone vs. Consolidated Rail Corp. case (formerly the LaStrange Case). County ABR Funds Larimer County Human Development personnel have forwarded applications for County ABR funds to HIO and asked that they be prioritized for use of the available $18,000. Rose Kreston suggested to Jackson that she give them helpful input but insists that someone from the County sit in on the process. Miscellaneous Announcements Relatives of Dorothy Lasley have let HID know that her fully accessible home is now for rent. Commission on Di0ility • Minutes - May 14, 1984 Page 6 Nancy Jackson brought greetings from the Loveland Handicapped Commission which she visited last month. She felt it was a valuable experience to sit in on another commission meeting. Loveland is currently considering the possibility of a separate ABRF and trying to find feasible answers to the pro- blem of administration of such a program. CDBG Fund proposals are due by June 16th for next year's requests. Councilmember Ohlson voiced his strong support for COD and stressed that he is available to serve as a liaison and to give a "push" when needed to help get the "city machinery" operating. Adjournment There being no further business, Charlotte Kanode made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at 8:48 p.m. The motion was seconded and carried. Respectfully submitted, Rosalie Smith, Secretary CITY OF FORT COLLINS COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON HANDICAPPED REGULATIONS May 14, 1984 PUBLIC MEETING A committee meeting was held on May 14, 1984 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Information Room. Immediately proceeding the Coordinating Commit- tee meeting, the Commission on Disability met. PRESENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS Verna Lewis, Assistant City Manager Leslie Stumpe, Park Planning Technician Ken S,lvester, Transfort Manager Diana Royval, Housing Rehabilitation Assistant Rose Kreston, CSU Office for Disabled Students and Commission on Disability Member Mark Rohloff, Public Management Intern Bill Anderson, Public Management Intern ABSENT Ken Waido, Chief Planner Suzy Danford, Recreation Specialist Linda Hopkins, Assistant to the City Manager Mike Herzig, Assistant City Engineer Peter Barnes, Code Administrator Tom Frazier, General Services Director AGENDA The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. Verna Lewis began by discussing efforts to notify other agencies regarding the Handicapped Committee's meeting times. Also, access state- ments for handicapped individuals and the availability of a hearing interpreter will be given. Leslie Stumpe discussed H.R. Phillips', the Director of Parks and Recreations, response to the Handicapped Committee's efforts. H.R. was very receptive and requested additional information to help him decide what approach to take. Pete Barnes sent a memo in regard to Rose M Kreston's question concerning the handicapped MAY 2 3 1984 accessibility of Old Town Plaza. He stated that it would be accessible. CDBG PROGRAM Nancy Jackson asked what general accessibility stood for. She would like to know if it will be spelled out. e Charlotte Kanode inquired as to whether or not future meetings will be taped. Verna responded that the committee would like to if capable. Verna expressed disappointment at the lack of community involvement in the committee's efforts. However, she feels that the members' consciousness and that of the City as a whole have been raised. Also, Verna stated that the City has done more than most cities, and will continue to do so. Eldon Decker asked if Transfort drivers could be asked for suggestions regarding how to improve their services. Ken Sylvester stated that this was a good idea. Ken assumes that Care -A -Van already does so. Rose suggested that a feature story in the Coloradoan might help explain the Coordinating Committee to the public. Verna was receptive to this suggestion. Nancy Jackson expressed the wish that more than one newspaper be involved. Councilmember Kelly Ohlson, also in attendance, expressed Council's strong interest in the Handicapped Coordinating Committee and its findings. Rose hopes that sensitivity training will be conducted for staff members to help them under- stand the needs of handicapped individuals. Ken stated that he would like Transfort drivers to receive such training. He asked for a repre- sentative from the Commission on Disability to review Transfort's program. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Po secretary Pro %m CJ CITY OF GIRT COLLINS OFFICE OF BUILDING INSPECTION MEMORANDUM TO: 504 Evaluation Committee FROM: Peter Barnes, Code Administrator 198 DATE: April 17, 1984 RE: Reviewing building plans for handicap compliance One of the items discussed at our public meeting on March 28, 1984 was a desire on the part of the Commission on Disability to have one or more of their members review construction plans for new buildings. The purpose of this review would be to monitor compliance with handicap building regulations. In an effort to accommodate this request, the Building Inspection Division proposes the following procedure: 1. A room will be reserved and made available to the COD at a regular time and day once every two weeks. 2. All plans for new construction for commercial buildings and certain multiple family dwellings submitted for permits in the preceeding two week time period will be brought to the reserved room for review. 3. The COD plan reviewers will make any comments they may have regarding the various plans on a separate sheet of paper. No marks or comments will be allowed to be placed on the plans or plan documents. 4. The City Plans Examiners will review the COD comments when they review the construction plans for building code compliance. The COD reviewers can make any comments they wish, however Building Inspection will require the builder to comply only with requirements of the code. These code provisions are routinely checked for during the City's own plan review, but this input from the COD can provide an extra check and give the division some insight into common concerns of the handicapped, which could result in code revisions in the future. n`n.r_- ..o-. ._�.4. {� .�..v_�.rt+1�r:Aw..0 `. S _...w _-»e i. a. �1:_.w�1�.. as ..tea .sJ_..:v... tee-. •.�. �-n OFFICE OF 300 LaPorte Ave.. P.O. Box 580 Fort ColLns. Colnrrado 80522 [3031 221-6760 BIJILniNG INSPECTION