HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 03/28/2013COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
Fort Collins City Hall: Council Information Center: 12:15 p.m.
March 28, 2013
PRESENT: Jeff Coon, Michael Devereaux, Hettie Hueber, Tommy Klender, Michelle
Miller, Wendie Robinson and Terry Schlicting
ABSENT: Jennifer Arndt, Rose Luna (Both With Contact)
CITY: Ethan Cozzens and Rosanne McDonnell
GUESTS: Whitney Achter & Robert Moseby – COFC, Michael Marr – Community
member/DRS, Bryan Payne - Visitor
CTO: 12:26
1. Introductions (5 minutes)
2. Approval of February Meeting Minutes (5 minutes)
Motion to Approve – Devereaux, Second - Miller
3. Open Discussion General Public (10 minutes)
Michael Marr began the conversation on housing issues. He stated the lack of housing
for the low income population has become epidemic. Disabled Resource Services (DRS)
is struggling to identify affordable housing and there is currently a 3-year waiting list. In
many instances, individuals with disabilities are having to accept affordable housing over
accessible housing and with the economic downturn things are getting even worse.
Schlicting concurred with this and said he hears the same conversations and not just in
the disabled community. Coon mentioned that the Housing Board had just submitted a
plan to City Council last Tuesday, March 26th. Robinson and Payne said the plan was
focusing on the student community.
Coon asked if the COD should construct a subcommittee that could meet and gather more
information on resources, etc. The PHA Subcommittee can meet the 2nd Thursday of the
month at 1:00, since the COD has CIC reserved the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month in
the 12:00-2:00 timeframe. Coon will reach out to the Affordable Housing Board for
some guidance. An article addressing this situation will appear in the April 11th
Coloradoan newspaper. Several COD members were interviewed for this article.
Robinson will assemble some information on accessible housing and the wait list before
the subcommittee meeting. The subcommittee will report back to the COD and become
part of the official minutes.
4. New Business (90 minutes)
a. ARC Event
Robinson provided fliers for upcoming events. The ARC will be offering an
event on Estate Planning and Trusts.
b. PSD Transition Series
The Arc and Poudre School District will co-sponsor a Resource Fair to highlight
transitional services to people with disabilities who turn 21 and can no longer
receive local program services. She would like the COD members to heighten
awareness and support awareness campaigns. Foothills Gateway serves adults
with disabilities, but they have a 10-14 year waiting list. You can put your child
on the list at 14 years of age, but there just is not enough funding to support the
need.
5. Old Business (15 minutes)
a. Sidewalk Survey Update
Whitney Achter and Rob Moseby presented a PowerPoint slide show of the
completed Fort Collins Sidewalk Survey. There are some connectivity issues
that need to be addressed. They will prioritize approximately 30 projects,
centering on the high pedestrian volume areas, retail areas, the university and
office parks. The timeframe is; as quickly as possible.
6. Community News and Updates
Schlicting was contacted by a woman who noticed that there were no accessible
van parking spaces at Hobby Lobby. Coon invited him to share his e-mail
address with this individual and he will look into it.
7. Adjourn: 1:31 Motion – Hueber Second - Devereaux
Submitted By: M. Michelle Miller