HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 07/13/2006COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, July 13, 2006
12:15 p.m.
Fort Collins City Hall
Council Information Center
Present: Susan Williams, Steve Rierson, Joanie Cook, Peggy Graff, Beverly Hageseth,
Bill Livingston, Terry Schlicting, Dawn Scott, Melinda Suits
City: Annie Houston, Mayor Hutchinson,
Guests: Scott Doyle, Angela Myers, Mark Beck
1. Call to Order: Susan Williams, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 12:23 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes of the June 8, 2006 Meeting:
Motion: Peggy Graff made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 8, 2006
meeting. Steve Rierson second. Motion carried.
3. Introductions: Introductions were made around the table and included Scott Doyle and
Angela Myers from Larimer County Clerk & Recorder's office.
4. Open Discussion General Public: Susan reported she attended the first emergency
preparedness meeting and stated they have much work to do. She suggested everyone
think about any concerns they may have regarding emergency preparedness for the
disabled community and if they have any questions or suggestions, to bring them to the
next COD meeting.
5. New Business
Voting Machine Demonstration: Scott Doyle, Larimer County Clerk/Recorder
thanked the Commission for inviting him to the meeting and introduced Angela
Myers, Administrative Assistant in the Clerk's office. He gave a brief history of
the Direct Record Electronic Equipment (DRE) stating that due to the issues
related to the 2000 Presidential Election, Congress met and some election reforms
came about in the form of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) which was
enacted in 2002. He stated HAVA requires each voting precinct or center to have
voting systems that allow people with disabilities to vote unimpaired. He stated
that from his standpoint, this is a very positive move forward. He stated Larimer
County has always had paper ballots and will in the future however, these
machines will also be in each voting location.
Angela Myers gave a demonstration on how the touch screen voting machine
works and several of the meeting attendees were able to try the new machine out.
In addition, Scott Doyle answered questions relating to security and accuracy of
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using the system. He stated the machine is a stand alone piece of equipment and
since it is not hooked into a computer system, it can not be hacked into. He also
stated that the machines are kept in a locked and secure site which is monitored
with security cameras constantly. Commission members were very impressed
with the new voting machines and general consensus was that it was going to be
much easier for people with disabilities to vote in the future.
Melinda: Share the Class Address: Melinda reported that she spoke to a class
of future school administrators at CSU. She reported she spoke about
individualized education plans for children with special needs and also spoke
about the COD and what we do. She stated she enjoyed the experience and would
be willing to do it again.
City Council Work Session: Joanie Cook stated she was contacted by Steve
White and asked to attend the City Council Work Session to represent the COD.
She stated she wasn't clear about what her role was but did say that Mayor
Hutchinson spoke highly of COD and all we do. She stated several of the Council
members asked specific questions about COD and they were all very supportive
of what we did. Some discussion ensued regarding expected budget cuts for 2007,
however; Mayor Hutchinson stated this meeting was a work session and the 2007
budget was not addressed. He did state budget discussions would begin on July
25, 2006 at a public session (one of approximately six) and he encouraged people
to attend the public meetings so they may express their opinions on what services
they would like the City to continue with.
6. Old Business: Mark Beck addressed the commission regarding PHA and its future.
He brought all of the information that he has relating to the sub -committee. He stated he
felt PHA did a good job while in existence as there are now three builders who are
building homes with accessibility as their focus. He stated that it was his sense that in
order for PHA to really be effective, its needs to be done on a much wider basis than the
City of Ft. Collins but the City has building requirements that do not provide for easy, no
step entries. He stated he is not continuing with PHA and is moving on with his life. He
did state that if anyone else wanted to take up the cause he would be consult with them.
COD needs to determine how/if to proceed with the program and Susan suggested this
item be discussed at the Executive Session meeting in September.
7. Subcommittee Reports
Art Show: Susan Williams reported that no surveys were completed and
returned to date.
Mayor's Awards/Event: Joanie stated the sub -committee met. Annie and
Steve will investigate possible caterers and Joanie asked Annie to see if the
nomination form could be submitted online as it was in the past. Joanie will
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update the nomination form which should be sent out sometime in August or
early September. Joanie stated she was working on updating the mailing list.
Heavy Doors: COD felt this is an important project and needs to be kept alive.
A suggestion was made that COD members meet as a group downtown and
work together to test areas that have not been covered. This item will be
discussed further at the September meeting.
8. Community News and Updates: None.
Discussion: An Executive Session Meeting was schedule for September I 1 at noon.
Location to be determined at a later date.
9. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 2:24 p.m.
Respectively submitted by Joanie Cook
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