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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 04/15/1996• 0 Lb-J"VD w COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MEETING MINUTES April 15,1996 2:00 pm Council Liaison: Alan Apt I Staff Liaison: Nancy Stirling Chairperson: Ray Sanderson Phone: (W) 482-2700 (H) 493-9340 Members Present: Members Absent: Ray Sanderson Jackie Hyatt Roy Beauchamp Shirley Reichenbach Tom Brannigan Angela Byrne Peggy Irish Chris Rock City Staff Present: Nancy Stirling, COD Liaison Dick Schaffer, Parking Program Manager Bob Noe, Parking Officer Supervisor Guests: Jean Batchelder Craig Wallerstein The Commission on Disability Meeting began promptly at 2:04pm. Mark Kramer Kathy Lassen Craig Wallerstein was introduced to the COD members. He is employed with Disabled Resource Services as an Employment/Career Counselor and has applied to be a member of the Commission on Disability. I. Update on Handicapped Parking Spaces and Enforcement (Presented by Dick Schaffer and Bob Noe) Dick and Bob informed COD members on the progress made in regards to improving the numbers and availability of handicapped parking spaces. They conducted a survey of off- and on -street parking areas and counted the number of handicapped parking spaces currently available. (See handout). The number currently available were compared with the ADA criteria (provided by Jean Batchelder -- included in agenda packet for this month's meeting). In overview, there is no way near enough parking spaces currently provided. The next step to be taken by Parking Services, using the ADA criteria as a guide, is to see where additional spaces can and should be provided. Dick and Bob stressed that ideally they Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes April15, 1996 Page Two would like to provide the exact numbers given in the ADA criteria -- but this would not be possible or necessary in some cases. Blocks and lots will be looked at as well as congested areas (i.e., restaurants, shops) when determining locations for additional parking spaces. Parking Services will come up with a plan of where they think additional handicapped parking spaces should be and bring it to the COD to look at and make suggestions and comments. Responses: Jean: suggested that in designing the Parking Plan to look at and improve public areas first -- private lots, employee permit lots can be dealt with on an as needed basis. Jackie: Does this survey include information about accessible ramps? No. Ramps will be an issue when considering locations for additional spaces. It is easier and more cost effective to put a space where there is already a ramp or driveway available for access to sidewalks. It was also agreed that it would not be a good idea to provide handicapped parking spaces in the center parking areas (i.e. like those on College Avenue and Mountain Avenue). Are there any ADA standards for on -street parking? Not specifically right now. At this time one can use the off-street standards as a guideline. Parking Enforcement: Bob informed the COD that Parking Service Officers are being more assertive in ticketing cars illegally parked in handicapped parking spaces. He also spoke with Dan Martin, from the City Attorney's Office, asking what the City's criteria was for properly designated handicapped parking areas (signs and/or pavement markings). According to Dan, as long as the area/space is marked clearly -- with either a sign or the pavement marking -- it is considered properly marked. To avoid any possible loopholes, Bob says he intends to see that every handicapped parking space is designated with both the sign and the pavement marking. II. Review of Workplan Items and Progress Workplan Item: Participate in Building Plan Reviews Status: Shirley has spoken with Felix Lee in the City's Building and Zoning Department. Felix has offered to provide instruction to any COD members interested in learning how to read building plans and participate on the Building Plan Review Committee. Any who are interested let Nancy or Ray know. Workplan Item: Assist City Departments and City Boards in ADA implementation Status: This is on -going. Currently the COD is involved with Parking Services and their efforts to put together a Parking Plan that would include additional, accessible Handicapped Parking Spaces. Hand -in -hand with this effort is to enforce laws concerning illegally parked cars in handicapped parking spaces. The COD would like to be involved with and communicate with other Boards and Commissions, especially the Planning & Zoning Board. How can the COD encourage this? Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes .4pri115, 1996 Page Three Workplan Item: Participate on ADA Grievance Committee Status: Nancy sent out information on the procedures for filing an ADA Grievance (sent out with last month's agenda packet). If you do not have this and would like a copy, let Nancy know. Workplan Item: Parking and Snow Removal Programs Status: This is being accomplished in the "Assist City Departments... in ADA implementation" category above. Workplan Item: Orientation for new COD members Status: Shirley is in the process of compiling COD history information that will be given to new members. (Since we will be getting several new members this June/July, may need to step this up a bit. If you need help, let Nancy know.) Workplan Item: ADA Training for COD members (& City employees) Status: Nancy has spoken with Sharon Roulier in Human Resources. Sharon is the Training & Development person for the City. It is hoped that a training class will be given to provide an overview of the ADA as well as some sensitivity training. Nancy hopes that we can get at least one class going and videotape it. The video can then be distributed to Police Services and Transportation Services which would assist the COD's efforts and goal for providing sensitivity training to City employees. Nancy will let the COD know of any developments. Workplan Item: Review Public Access Survey (of 2/94) Status: Nancy sent out copies of the results of the Public Access Survey done in 1994. (If you do not have this, let Nancy know.) No discussion of this item yet. Workplan Item: Host or coordinate "barrier awareness" events Status: Thus far, there are two events the COD will be involved with: the NewWest Fest and the "Handicapped Awareness" event at HP. NewWest Fest: Tom, Kathy, Ray, and Frank met together last week to begin preparations for the NewWest Fest. Pete Dallow / Administrative Services will provide the budget for this event (and any other COD events) for a canopy, table and chairs, and a banner. Ideas are wanted for the banner. Is there a catchy phrase you know of that could go on the banner under "Commission on Disability?" Let Nancy or Ray know. (This banner will be saved and used at other events the COD participates in.) COD members were given assignments for the fest. The to-do list will be sent to members soon. HE Handicapped Awareness Event: Some members of the COD will be participating in this event. The next planning meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17th, at HP. Angela and Ray have volunteered to try to attend this meeting. Note: The "At -Risk Conference" scheduled for this summer was cancelled due to lack of funds. Workplan Item: Disability Sensitivity Training Status: This will hopefully be accomplished along with the ADA Training for COD members and City employees. Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes April 15, 1996 Page Four Workplan Item: Coordinate City -Wide awareness Status: This presently includes FortNet, the Mayor's "Perspectives" show, and the Annual Mayor's Awards. FortNet: The COD currently has a web -page available through FortNet. This area needs to be discussed further on what information the COD would like to have included on this network. Perspectives: Nancy has spoken with Mayor Ann Azari and Michael Gitter of Cable 27. They are enthusiastic to do a show on issues concerning disabilities. Nancy is waiting to hear back from the Mayor or Michael on a topic they would like to see discussed. This show is tentatively scheduled to go in September -- preceding the Mayor's Awards held in October. Mayor's Awards: There was agreement among the members present that the COD would like to make nomination forms available as soon as possible, hopefully to encourage more nominations. Nancy will look for the nomination forms and bring them to the next COD meeting for members to take and disperse. Also, Nancy will send nomination forms to various service providers and facilities. There was also a suggestion for advertising this event (and openings for nominations) on Cable 27 and in the newspaper. III. Other Business A. Angela described her positive experiences recently with Dial -a -Ride (DAR). She has seen some definite improvement in the quality of services DAR is providing and would like to let others know -- via Cable 27 and/or Channel 14. B. Ray brought up some concerns he still has concerning DAR. He, along with a couple of other individuals, have formed a "Concerned Citizens for Better Transportation" committee to address concerns of quality of service and safety on DAR buses/vans. Ray says there was some concern that those who "complain" will be discriminated against by Transportation Service providers and employees, which is possibly why some persons have chosen not to voice their complaints. This group is encouraging riders to voice their complaints and are documenting them. The group has also distributed flyers informing who to contact to give a complaint. Ray has met with Pete Dallow to discuss what can be done to address these issues and concerns. Pete has suggested that a meeting be arranged with Ron Phillips (Director of Transportation Services), Michelle Johnson (Dial -a -Ride Manager), Mayor Ann Azari, etc. Tom suggested that DAR drivers be included in this meeting in order to obtain their input and experience. C. Airport Express: It was thought that they were supposed to submit a plan for how they will provide service to individuals with disabilities who need to travel to or from DIA. This issue will need to be investigated further. The meeting ended at 4:00 pm.