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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 06/17/1996COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MEETING MINUTES June 17,1996 2:00 pm Council Liaison: Alan Apt Staff Liaison: Nancy Stirling Chairperson: Ray Sanderson Phone: (H) 493-9340 Members Present: Angela Byrne Mark Kramer Jackie Hyatt Amy Rosenberg Peggy Irish Ray Sanderson Members Absent: Frank Blakely Shirley Reichenbach Kathy Lassen Chris Rock City Staff Present: Bob Noe, Transportation Planning, Parking Services Dick Schaffer, Transportation Planning Peter Dallow, Director of Administrative Services Nancy Stirling, COD Liaison Guests: Craig Wallerstein Meeting began promptly at 2:05 pm. I. Introduction of New Members: Amy Rosenberg is a recently appointed member of the Commission. She recently moved to Fort Collins from Texas. She is a lawyer by occupation and has participated — both as part of her employment responsibilities and as a volunteer — as a member of various Councils and organizations promoting employment of and improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities. We are very glad to have her with the Commission (and have already found her knowledge of law, and the ADA specifically, a great asset to the Commission!). Frank Blakely (who was not in attendance today) is now officially a member of the Commission. Craig Wallerstein has also been appointed to the Commission. His term officially begins July I St. On behalf of all the members of the Commission and respective City Staff, we welcome all of you and look forward to getting to know you better and to your participation with the Commission. Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes June 17, 1996 Page Two II. Parking Plan Update Bob and Dick return to us again to give us further updates on the Parking Plan progress. For the benefit of newcomers and visitors, they gave a brief overview of the Parking Plan and their efforts to bring public parking standards closer inline with ADA standards. They are still in the process of evaluating individual lots and on -street parking areas to assess a need for handicapped parking, location of parking spaces, etc. They are also trying to fulfill community requests for putting in or taking out handicapped parking spaces. One such request was by store owners of a gift ship near Washington's — they are both handicapped and asked to have handicapped parking spaces put nearby. This request was done. Another request was by businesses now using the Old Senior Center downtown. There are several handicapped spaces there and they asked to have them removed. Of the three spaces there, only one was removed — the others will remain. Parking Services has contacted Transfort and Transfort will re -paint the curb outside of DMA (residential building near downtown). This strip of curb is where Transfort and Dial -a -Ride buses stop to pick-up/drop-off passengers. Near the end of this strip is a parking space. When there is a car parked there it is difficult for the buses to get close to the curb. This stretch of curb will now be only for buses. Bob and Dick will continue to keep the Commission up-to-date on their efforts. They will send a written report to Nancy for her to pass on to the members. They will attend Commission meetings on an as needed basis. III. Updates: A. Dial -a -Ride Ray and a couple of other Dial -a -Ride customers met with Pete Dallow of Administrative Services, Tom Frazier and Ron Phillips of Transportation Services to discuss Dial -a -Ride (DAR) "problems". There was discussion on the following: 1. With the departure of Michelle from DAR, who was going to be the head of DAR? At this point in time, no one. 2. It has been suggested that an "advisory council' be formed to be a mediator between DAR and customers and review customer complaints. A response was that there is already boards and commissions available to do this. 3. Service window is unrealistic, frustrating, ... Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes June 17, 1996 Page Three 4. ApplicationiQualification Forms for DAR services: There has been some concern that these forms are not necessary, personal, inappropriate, vague and unclear, questions open-ended. These forms must also be completed by the client's physician: do the physicians really take time to complete these forms or do they complete them by route? There are too many "yes or no" questions on form: this does not allow for explanations (i.e., "yes, but....) concerning patients individual situations (i.e., Can your patient walk without assistance? Yes, but this patient has a cognitive disability where they are easily confused and need assistance from one point to the next.) There was a question as to what is the purpose of the Form? Pete explained that customers (who can and able to) are encouraged to take Transfort (the efficient mode of transporation). Ray and citizens at the meeting, as well as Commission members today, asked why the Commission's advice was not sought when the form was created. Some responses: since the form was not going to Council for approval, it did not need to go to a Board or Commission; this was considered an "administrative issue". Customers and COD members response: but this concerns and effects this customers — shouldn't they (or the COD on their behalf) have been consulted or included in the decision making process? How can "they" judge who can receive service based on the forms? -- It does not take into account the many types of disabilities and situations. Pete confirmed that these topics were discussed at the meeting with the heads of the Transportation Department. The next step will be a follow-up meeting (scheduled for July 1st, at 10:00 am in the CIC Room) where Tom Frazier and Ron Phillips will provide responses to the issues raised in their first meeting (see attached minutes of that meeting). Pete pointed out that there seems to be a feeling of "Us vs Them" from both sides of the table — that this needs to be addressed/resolved before any agreements can be made concerning DAR. The COD had questions: How can these groups (Commissions, etc) have input to issues concerning them?What are their roles in the decision -making process? What are the appropriate levels? Who are the appropriate persona to approach? Pete's suggestion: The COD could come up with "Here's how we want to be involved..." Some suggestions provided by members was that there definitely needed to be some education provided to service providers — education concerning the many various kinds of disabilities; education on customer relations skills and courtesy (many customers feel "intimidated" by service personnel). ***The members present agreed that the first step — instead of creating a whole separate entity, advisory council — is to create a sub -committee within the COD. This sub -committee could comprise of various members of community organizations to address these transportation issues.*** Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes June 17, 1996 Page Four B. NewWest Fest: The dates for the NewWest Fest is August 16, 17, 18. The COD booth will operate on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm (per agreement among members present). Kathy Lassen is to forward more information to Nancy — as soon as she gets it she will forward it on to all the members. There was some question as to the application for the Fest — did anyone get it? Was it turned in? NOTE: Nancy called the Downtown Business Association to see if any application on behalf of the COD was turned in. According to their records, none was turned in — and the due date to have the applications turned in was the end of May. Not to worry, though, Nancy made arrangements to get an application and will fill it out, pay the fee, and get it turned it. The DBA has graciously agreed to accept our late application. C. Mayor's Awards: Nancy has sent out Mayor's Award nomincation forms to various organizations in Fort Collins. D. "Perspectives" Show: Mayor Ann Azari suggests the following topic for the Perspectives Show: Are efforts that are being done in the community (City, CSU, etc.) to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities working? Are `we' moving ahead? Are there setbacks?" Nancy wanted to know the members ideas, thoughts for this topic — is it too big of a topic? Does it need to be narrowed down more? The general consensus among the members was that this topic would be good — it allows for discussion of various disabilities and programs. Some ideas: ■ for the Panelists, invite representatives of different disabilities (parents, organizations, PR-1, etc.) ■ Prepare a flyer to be handed out at the NewWest Fest (to advertise show) The show will be taped in September. It was agreed that some time needs to be devoted to preparing and planning this show. It was also suggested and agreed that some time during the next Commission meeting in July will be devoted to planning the Perspectives show. IV. OTHER BUSINESS: A. What is the status of issues brought up by Angela at the last meeting? 1. Sidewalks outside of In Choice Bank on Horsetoodr Tom Brannigan spoke with Tom Chapel of the City's Engineering Department. There was some problem between the contractor and the City. Bottom Line is that the City has put out a bid to have the sidewalk put in and a contractor has been selected. The sidewalk should be put in within the next 4 to 6 weeks. 0 Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes June 17, 1996 Page Five 2. New Post Office: Angela has since spoken with the Post Master of that facility (on Boardwalk). He says that the door meets ADA guidelines (push a button that makes the door lighter — easier from someone to push open). Does not sound like they are going to do anything about it. Angela called Jean Batchelder about this. (Response?) ■ Commission response is to write a letter to an ADA "enforcement" entity (with the Justice Department or the Federal Government). B. COD Brochures: These need to be updated and possibly re -done. Nancy is going to send a copy of the brochure to each member. Please review the brochure and make any additions or comments. Bring the brochure (or just your ideas/revisions) to the next meeting. C. *** Craig has been asked to participate in an up -coming Channel 14 episode/show on the topic of "a young person with a disability growing up in Fort Collins." This show will be aired on Channel 14 every Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm during the month of July. So don't forget to tune -in! *** Meeting adjourned at 4:08 pm.