Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 11/15/1993COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MEETING MINUTES November 15, 1993 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., CIC Room Members Present: Roy Beauchamp Angela Byrne Judith Sayre Grim Debbie Kalin Rita McGill Diane Rehner Ray Sanderson Robert Willmont Staff Present: Tom Frazier Andrea Rieger Guests: Alan Apt, Council Member - COD Liaison Ginny DeHerdt, ADA Task Force Jean Batchelder, ADA Task Force 1. Minutes from October meeting were approved. 2. Committee Reports: Transportation Committee - Tentatively, three contracts for paratransit services will be issued. COMSIS should receive the contract for dispatch service. Shamrock taxi will receive another contract. The City is still negotiating with Care -A -Van. Council approved $300,000 for paratransit on first reading. Second reading will be Nov. 16. Should have new paratransit service on March 7. A transportation subcommittee is working on a ride training program, designed to help people use the fixed route system. The subcommittee is working on a brochure which outlines the proposed ride training program, and will be distributed to the news media, other agencies, etc. Ray will bring a draft of the brochure to the COD. Surveys - Most of the 2,000 surveys have been distributed. Ray had the surveys distributed at the DMA Plaza. Surveys were also distributed in the Disabled Resource Newsletter. **Questions on the distribution of surveys in the December utility bills.** Committee decided to remove the "COD" from the front of the surveys. Can Pete analyze the results of the first batch of surveys before the second batch comes in? (Andrea will ask.) 3. Update on the ADA grievance procedure. The ADA grievance procedure is scheduled to be adopted by Council on November 16. The Committee had some questions on the procedure... Here are the responses from the City Attorney's office: The time lines for responding to a complainant, as listed in the grievance procedure, were developed by the City's ADA task force. While these time lines aren't mandated by the ADA, the task force wanted to prepare for a "worst case scenario". However, the expectation is that complaints will be resolved in a more timely manner. We have included language in the ADA grievance procedure to ensure that all complainants are afforded an opportunity to speak with a City staff member or the grievance committee personally. This is in response to a COD recommendation. The representative on the grievance committee from the COD does not have to be the same COD member for each complaint. COD members may "take turns" hearing complaints. The City Attorney's office will provide legal and technical support to the grievance committee. Jean Batchelder said that the ADA Task Force could also provide training. 4. The City will be offering more ADA training, probably after the first of the year. Staff will let the COD know date and the location of this training as that information becomes available. 5. Tom Frazier reported that the City is progressing with modifications to City buildings to meet ADA requirements. Noticeably, door hardware and signs have been replaced. More work will be started after the first of the year, when 1994 money becomes available. 6. A citizen asked if the COD felt that the Stone Lion bookstore was in compliance with ADA and/or was accessible to the disabled community. While there is an elevator down to the basement, it is a freight elevator, and a Stone Lion employee must operate the elevator. Jean Batchelder said that she thinks the Stone Lion is in compliance with ADA. The Committee feels that this arrangement would be difficult for the disabled community. The Committee decided that they need a procedure for handling such inquiries. 7. Rita reported that Dr. Bob Jackson is trying to start a "club house". A club house uses a social rehabilitation model to help those who are mentally ill deal with vocational issues and social issues. This is a worthy cause, and Rita requested that the COD support this effort. She will bring more information to the committee on this project. Currently, this group is trying to get a grant for start-up costs. This is a collaborative effort with CSU and mental health agencies. 0 8. Disabled Resource Services would like to cooperate with the COD on a disability awareness program in the spring. Roy would also like to approach other businesses/groups to help with and/or participate in such an event. 9. Debbie Kalin would like to apply for an HP grant for disabled individuals. Grant money would be used by the COD. 10. Workplan: Alan Apt said that he would like the COD to help Council with three major issues: Paratransit - How are we going to improve service, and how will we know if service improves? Ideas/suggestions are welcome. Perhaps John or Gaylene can update the COD on paratransit. ADA - How can we build awareness of the ADA, and encourage voluntary compliance? Input on proposed development projects and affordable housing. Requested that the Council liaison and the Mayor visit the COD annually. Several comments that the Committee is not sure of their responsibilities or boundaries, or what we are/are not able to do. Alan commented that Council looks to the COD to give Council recommendations on various issues before Council, like paratransit and ADA. Would like to have workplan extend for more than just one year. There is a need for subcommittees. Can also contact other groups (City departments) and ask what is needed from the COD. Need to prioritize workplan items. The public education item may be the fast item. 11. Parking - Need to request information from Rita Davis in Transportation on parking for the disabled... What is the City's current means of enforcement - Do we just issue warnings? How many warnings/tickets are issued annually? Apparently, the City decided to issue warnings for parking violations, until the community was sufficiently aware of the policy, then we were to issue tickets. Perhaps it is now appropriate to begin issuing tickets. COD should look at current policy, then give Council recommendations on appropriate changes. 12. Check with the Special Olympics on interfacing with COD, and add to calendar. 13. Include COD bylaws with minutes. NEXT MEETING: DECEIVIBER 20, 3:00 - 5:00, CIC ROOM COMMISSION ON DISABIIdTY DECEMBER 20, 1993 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. COUNCIL INFORMATION CHAMBERS TENTATIVE AGENDA 1. Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Committee Reports 4. Workplan Report 5. Report on Parking Procedures 6. Report on Proposed Club House 7. New Business 8. Other Business