HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 12/14/2006COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Fort Collins City Hall
Council Information Center
12:15 p.m.
Present: Susan Williams, Steve Rierson, Terry Schlichting, Melinda Suits, Beverly Hageseth
Guests: Rachael Davis (Affordable Housing Representative), Marshall Thomber y (Parks
Department), Jim Colbum (City Code Enforcement Manager)
City: Steve White,
1. Call to Order: Susan Williams, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 12:20 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes of the November 9, 2006 Meeting:
Motion: Susan Williams made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 9,
2006 minutes as presented. Terry Schlichting second. Motion carried.
3. Introductions: Introductions were made around the table.
4. Open Discussion General Public
5. New Business
Snow Removal Presentation: Marshall Thornberry
Discussion ensued and specific areas of concern included: sidewalks, curbs,
slanted areas (ramps) at corner crossings, intersection problems and snow
deposited at handicapped parking places. Marshall Thomber y and Jim
Colbum gave the following numbers to report problems:
A) 416-2200 — Hot line to report lack of snow removal. Jim advised he would
put a notice on the building (the notice is actually a warrant). If the snow is
not removed in 24 hours (the City will check) then snow will be removed and
the building owner sent the bill.
B) 221-0855 — Lance Newlin at the City enforces the code for snow removal in
handicap parking spaces.
C) 221-6615 is the street department's number to report concerns.
D) 224-6046 — Jenny Sawyer who is the contact person in Jim Colbum's
office.
Susan Williams invited Vivian Armendiaz, who is in a power chair, to relate
her experience when trying to access PVH area. She ended up having to travel
in the street (she reported Loveland does a better job than Ft. Collins).
Steve Rierson asked if snow removal was budgeted limited. Steve White,
Marshall Thronber y and Jim Colbum advised that is not the case.
Jim Colbum distributed snow removal brochures and City maps. He explained
snow removal priorities, i.e., emergency routes, hospitals, schools and main
streets are done first. He recommended COD members write letters regarding
problems. He recommended that people in wheelchairs advise the street
department of their usual routs and pass onto responsible groups. He also
advised people can contact the street department to request specific
intersections that need snow removal. When snow is plowed next to curbs, a
pile of snow results (called a winnow) and the street department is supposed to
clear out the ramp after plowing. Susan reported the snow around the cross-
walk signs make it impossible to reach the button to change the traffic light.
Jim Colburn reported the property owners are responsible for keeping those
areas clear.
Terry Schlicting reported he has a lot of problems using Transfort. The drivers
do not welcome him at all and seem to have a lot of trouble with the lifts.
Steve White reported that the lifts on busses operate differently; there is not a
lift standard. He agreed to invite Kathleen Walker from Transfort to our
January meeting.
Susan Williams suggested a letter be written to Dial -a -Ride thanking them
from the COD. Steve White suggested a letter to the Mayor and maybe The
Coloradoan. Susan will draft same.
Steve White agreed to invite the following people to the January meeting:
1. A street department employee
2. Marshall Thornberry — Parks Department
3. Jim Colbum — Code Enforcement Department
4. Lance Newlin — Handicap Parking Enforcement
5. Kathleen Walker — Transfort
6. Mayor Hutchinson or City Manager Atterberry
(Steve advised we can only get one of them)
7. City Facilities Department — Steve White is the representative of that
department.
6. Old Business: None
7. Subcommittee Reports: None
8. Community News and Updates: None
Note: Melinda Suits term is completed with this meeting and Bill Hold has now
missed three meetings (per Susan).
The meeting on January 11, 2007 will be a continuation of snow removal problems
9. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Minutes of the December 2006 meeting were taken by Beverly Hageseth.