HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 03/08/2007COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MINUTES
edited with corrections and approved 9/13/07
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Fort Collins City Hall
Council Information Center
12:15 p.m.
Present: Annie Houston, Susan Williams, Steve
Rierson, Steve White, Janie Bondhus, Mary
Elizabeth Lenahan, Rob Gerk, Beverly Hageseth,
Vivian Armendariz, Terry Schlichting.
Guests: Randall Cover, Dr. Caryl Schonbrun, Dr.
Nancy Jackson
Correction on previous minutes about Task Force:
the group will be having monthly meetings for
next 4 months.
Sign interpreter for Rob was not present. All
commissioners agreed to speak one at a time.
Bev moved to approve minutes with corrections,
Rob seconded.
Annie, one of the liaison's from the city, is
retiring. Chair Susan Williams stated we will
miss Annie and that as of yet we have no idea
whether she will be replaced.
Steve White may be rotating out as liaison, but
assures the commission that he will transition
off the commission and pX�ent the new person to
the responsibilities invaived in being a
liaison.
GUEST PRESENTATION:
Guests: Dr. Nancy Jackson from Disabled Resource
Services 472-2700 and Dr. Caryl Schonbrun, a
person suffering from Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity were introduced to the Commission.
Dr. Jackson expressed her support for Dr.
Schonbrun in her petitioning the City Council
for recognition of the problems associated with
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Dr. Schonbrun
(Caryl) shared handouts:
• about the medical diagnosis;
• the Governor's proclamation for the month
of May to be Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
and Toxic Injury Awareness month;
• a courtesy notice written to the Westchase
Community Association in Loveland regarding
the use of chemical fertilizers and
herbicides contrary to the covenants of
this Homeowners Association; and
• a letter to the editor of the Coloradoan
from Christopher Holm concerning the health
hazards of chemical sensitivity with the
suggestion that the City Council be
alerted.
Caryl shared the background of a concern
she was facing for which she was seeking the
Commission on Disability viewpoint. People in
her neighborhood had been using toxic herbicides
and she was concerned with the lack of awareness
of this potentially life -threatening practice.
Caryl feels there is insensitivity in the
community about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
and that truly there are few places where
sufferers can go safely. To her knowledge,
Whole Foods is only store in the region with
safe practices.
She pointed out that many citizens are
impacted by asthma, allergies, other types of
chemical illness. In the past ordinances have
been tried to limit chemical exposure. Many who
have this condition cannot come out and get
help. The public may not be aware of reality
that Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is a fatal
illness due to the cumulative effects of the
symptoms. In Colorado, symptoms are impacted and
aggravated by inversion.
Dr. Schonbrun would like funding to educate
the community about safer alternatives, new
products, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
One example is "All Down", an herbicide that
needs just two applications and does not create
problems for sensitive individuals. Chemical
Sensitivity is an immune system breakdown from
exposure to pesticides. Impacted individuals
have just one exposure and then each successive
time the reactions are worse and the toxins
become cumulative in their systems. Later, all
chemicals,for example car exhaust, shampoo and
perfumes become problematic.
The disease manifests itself with flushing,
impaired ability to breathe, hives, CNS (central
nervous system) complications, toxicity to all
organs, and damage to the vocal cords. All of
these could lead to fatal problems.
Dr. Schonbrun recommends that an ordinance
governing the application of herbicides,
pesticides, & lacquer and regarding emissions be
drafted and adopted. ADA recognizes this
syndrome as a disability. She is particularly
concerned with herbicides and asks that safer
alternatives be investigated and utilized. For
example, a viable alternative to Round Up is
Burn Out 2 at the same cost. City Council looked
at the proposed ordinance as presented by Dr.
Schonbrun, but felt it was too personal as
scripted.
In the larger realm, toxins are an
environmental concern for everyone. Currently,
for every toxin there are safe alternatives.
Twenty-four states have adopted MCS (Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity) Awareness Day; the federal
government recognizes the problem. Caryl
suggests that the City of Fort Collins should as
well. Caryl will provide web information
(www.chemicalinjury.net and
www.ecolivingcenter.com/articles/mcs.html
Steve White noted that if the Commission on
Disability wants to pursue making a statement
and investigating ordinances, we could
communicate with the Mayor and Council. We would
need to have information about the current
ordinances
Dr. Nancy Jackson, from Disabled Resource
Services (DRS), said we need a "systems change"
to improve society. An
wants to:
• demonstrate how this
perceived disability;
Advocacy group with DRS
is not an easily
• share an example of ordinance from Fairfax
• educate the public about simple examples of
toxins affecting most of us each day
• help ensure the health and safety of
community.
DRS will: 1) gather statistics on the number of
people impacted;
2) estimate how many are interested in helping
to implement changes;
3) research enforcement procedures;
4) assess the costs to city.
Dr. Schonbrun and Dr. Jackson would like a
letter of support from C.O.D. and editorials
written to increase community awareness.
Basically, these improvements would assure a
healthier and cleaner environment for us all.
Just as in the case of curb cuts, where persons
with strollers benefit as well as persons with
wheelchairs, an ordinance governing chemical use
in Fort Collins would benefit us all. Both are
willing to return to COD to continue dialogue if
so needed.
Bev affirmed that immune systems are
severely impacted by chemicals, such as
cigarette smok and emissions. Susan suggests we
review the inf mation and spend time discussing
the COD determs ation at the April meeting.
Susan will notify Nancy. Nancy requested to
periodically be included on the COD agenda.
Nancy has spoken with mayor/city manager on
enforcement and/or implementing legislation.
Ideally, an ordinance needs to come from
concerned people.
Steve White suggested getting a Council
member to join a task force on this topic. In
order to create an ordinance, there would need
to be support of 3 council members. Caryl
informed us that Boulder is in process of
instituting an ordinance. Vivian suggested
having a larger group to present to Council
rather than a single individual.
The COD thanked Drs. Jackson and Schonbrun
for attending this meeting and will continue to
include their concerns in our agendas to
determine how we would like to proceed.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Joanie Cook has resigned from the
Commission. We are now without a secretary. As
Historian, Terry cannot fill this role. Mary
Elizabeth will take notes for today. Bev cannot
sit at the computer. Steve Rierson has time to
type notes. The three executive board members
(Steve, Terry, & Susan) leaving in September.
Mary Elizabeth volunteered to take notes for the
next 6 months; Steve Rierson will type them up.
COD will review the need for a secretary in the
meanwhile with a decision by October.
NEW BUSINESS Using Addendum A, a list of eleven
current boa' s and commission within the city,
C.O.D. assigned liaisons to represent our views
and ideally meet with these other boards twice a
year. To arrange attendance at other commission
and board meetings, liaisons should contact the
executive commissioner of the board one week
before their meeting (schedules are on-line) to
be included. Contact Karla Smith for phone
number of person to contact. Within Fort
Collins, there are 27 boards assisting City
Council. Annie read the descriptions of the
various boards.
Commissioners volunteered as follows:
Building Review Board: Beverly & possibly Vivian
Housing Authority: Susan
Human Relations: Terry and possibly Vivian
Parks and Recreation Board: Rob
Planning & Zoning: Steve R.
Senior Advisory Board: Beverly
Transportation Board: possibly Vivian
Art in Public Places: Terry
Status of Women: Susan
Youth Advisory: Mary Elizabeth
Affordable Housing: Janie and possibly Vivian
Cultural Resources: Mary Elizabeth
Due to technical difficulties, the Power
Point presentation was not presented today.
Community Access Advisory Sub -Committee (Vivian,
Rob, Mary Elizabeth, Bev) will present at the
April meeting for board comments.
OLD BUSINESS:
Police have not yet given parking
responsibility ticketing duties to Parking
Services since Parking Services cannot run
license plate checks, therefore for now, those
who do use the pink slips for offenders in
parking spaces reserved for persons with
disabilities, please return the forms to the
police until further notice.
With continued concerns about the changes in
the Dial -a -Ride service, Geoff Aimes from state
ADA transportation has offered to attend a COD
meeting to speak about transit issues and share
his insight. Mary Elizabeth reported that she
spoke with the Federal Transit Authority who
stated that as long as the person with a
disability received a letter about the service
changes, that Dial -a -Ride was in compliance for
notification about the recent changes. The
ruling as affecting night and weekend service,
mandates that para-transit services only need to
serve when bus services are scheduled. The
problem we are experiencing in Fort Collins is
occurring throughout the United States, where
persons with disabilities are receiving reduced
services for a variety of reasons.
Susan announced there is a new company
developing a taxi that is accessible to
wheelchairs to be unveiled at an auto show in
New York City. Vivian took the literature for
it.
Bev moved to adjourn the meeting. Rob seconded.
NEXT MEETING: April 12, 2007