HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 08/22/2013COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
Fort Collins City Hall: Council Information Center: 12:15 pm
August 22, 2013
Present: Jeni Arndt, Mike Devereaux, Hettie Huber, Tommy Klender, Rose Luna,
Michelle Miller and Wendie Robinson,
Absent: Jeff Coon (sick), Terry Schlicting, with contact
City: Ethan Cozzens, Rosanne McDonnell
Guests: Erin Eulenfeld, Craig Foremen, Mike Gebo, John Haley, Emma McArdle, B.J.
Russell, Dan Weinheimer, and Angela Woodall
Called to Order: 12:20 pm
1. Introductions: guests went around the room and introduced themselves.
2. Approval of Minutes from July 22. Devereaux moved to approve minutes and
Klender seconded.
3. Open Discussion General Public: delayed to end of meeting, due to so many
guests presenting.
4. New Business:
a. City Code: Mike Gebo presented on new codes. No significant changes in
the new code regarding the accessibility chapter. The key item the new codes
are pushing is increased sprinkler systems. October 22 is the time when this
goes to City Council work session. Target to get codes up and running by
January 1, 2013. We can vote at the next meet and report back to Mike. Mike
recommends: 1. Single family—add sprinklers to the code. 2. Multifamily‐‐
add sprinklers to the attic. And remove vinyl siding.
Commercial code for accessibility from the City begins with four units under
one roof. State law says if there are seven units or more under one roof, then
point system becomes pertinent in.
The COD will discuss over email and get back to Mike Gebo by the time of the
next meeting.
b. Old Town Accessibility: Dan Weinheimer presenting and discussing Old
Town Accessibility. Weinheimer is they City’s ADA coordinator. What might
be a good solution to accessibility in Old Town? Downtown Development
Authority (DDA) would be willing to pay for a ramp. Historic buildings do not
have to comply. The business owners are for the ramps. The ramps need to
be custom because each building is different. Maybe consider a fold up ramp
with a sign in the window stating that the business is accessible. Should we
prioritize certain types of business such as eating? For every one inch rise,
there needs to be a three inch slope.
c. Transportation Needs—Foothills Gateway: Erin Eulenfeld, John Hagley,
B.J. Russell, and Angela Woodall presenting. This grouop is asking the
Commission to advocate for a wider area for Dial‐A‐Ride. The service could
be limited to people qualified for it‐meaning people who cannot drive.
Increased need for transportation due to aging population. Foothills Gateway
is in the City limits, but outside Dial‐A‐Ride. The strategic plan for the City
from 2009 is in three phases. The first phase was due to be completed in
2012 and that phase was not complete. McArdle—there is no dedicated
money for Transfort. The money comes out of the general fund and not a
dedicated income stream. In order to complete phase 3, there is a 15 million
dollar gap. And that gap would exist every year. Dial‐A‐Ride only serves
people who are ADA qualified. Devereaux —is there any way to break the
Dial‐A‐Ride away from the fixed route requirement? Huber asked who many
people are impacted by the deficiency? Funds at Foothills Gateway have
been diverted from other activities to support transportation services.
COD can work with Councilman Overbeck to try to get transportation issues
in front of the City Council.
Suggestion: We could work with other Boards and Commissions (Aging,
Human Relations, Transportation, Mobility council). Larimer County senior
transportation coalition and the Office on Aging is their contact.
Foothills Gateway should send the COD a synopsis of the problem.
Suggestion: Approach the problem more holistically—that the
transportation plan is not be implemented as approved. Boundaries are not
being served and there are some other core areas that aren’t being served.
d. BOB II Process: This the quarter century plan that would go on the
November 2014 ballot. The way the COD can participate is to propose capital
projects to Council for the future.
5. Old Business
a. Mayor’s Awards update: Caterer is set. The sign language interpreter
is arranged. Campaign is on to get nominations. Everyone should
send out at least five nomination forms. The biggest difference
between this year and last year is the time from when we vote until
the time when we do the awards. We will vote at our next meeting—
September 26th. Mayor’s Awards are on the 17th of October at the
Senior Center. People could come to help at 10:30 to help set up.
b. Disability Pride Fest: Robinson will be there with ARC. Luna will be
there with Elderhaus. We can bring applications to the COD to the
Pridefest. Banner that reads: Commission on Disability to use at the
parade. Arndt and Devereaux will ride or walk near the Transfort bus
in the parade.
c. Trail Study Letter of Support: Foremen asked where the COD is on
support of the trail study. Arndt moved to support the study,
Robinson seconded. Vote: 7‐0 in favor. Recommended.
d. Hearing Loop Demo: Cozzens said the Lincoln Center is now looped.
It is possible to have a demo now, but there is no date set yet. Perhaps
we could invite McGraw Elementary. Should the COD have a demo
first and then plan one for the community? Cozzens will check to see
if a demo date has been set up and then get back to us.
Motion to adjourn by Luna. Arndt seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 2:07 pm
Submitted by: Jeni Arndt