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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 11/08/2018COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Fort Collins City Hall 300 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.416.4254 phone 970.224.6107 fax fcgov.com COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Minutes 11.8.18 REGULAR MEETING - Contact Person: Carol Thomas, Lead Specialist Employee Relations - 416.4254 Thursday November 8, 2018 12:15-2:15 p.m. CIC Room, City Hall, 300 Laporte Avenue Board Members In Attendance: Terry Schlictling (Chair), Sherri Reichow (Recorder), Mandy Morgan, Arianna Kilmer, John Morris, Marilee Boylan, Michael Marr City Liaison Present: Carol Thomas City Officials Present: Amanda Mansfield, City Transportation Planner Melina Dempsey, City Transit Planner 1. CALL TO ORDER: 12:18 pm 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Michael made a motion to approve the minutes from the October meeting as written. Amanda seconded the motion. Terry suggested that in regards to City Building Code revisions, the COD recommend 36”x60” roll in showers (as opposed to 30”), and that we increase the number of showers recommended to 36. A vote was taken, and was unanimously approved. The 2nd paragraph in Section 5 “Presentation and Discussions” of the October 2018 minutes will be be amended to read: “The COD’s recommendation is that the City approve and implement the construction of at least 36 new 36”x60” roll-in showers.” 5. PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS: A. Amanda Mansfield, City Transportation Planner: Amanda oversees the CIty’s Bike Share Program, and she came to COD seeking input on how to make City bikes and their locations more useful for people with disabilities. She presented an overview of the program that began in 2016 and became known as PACE in June 2018. She spoke of the possibility of reduced rates for vulnerable populations, and of how they have adaptive bikes for persons with low vision. With the goal of inclusivity and the empowerment of persons with disabilities, she added that they also have training programs on how to operate these bikes. A lengthy discussion of the various types of adaptive cycles ensued. Arianna suggested a recumbent bicycle as an option, and Michael suggested a trike as they are lower to the ground. Arianna added that bike locks should be automatic because of issues related to hand dexterity. Terry mentioned the obstacle of what to do with one’s wheelchair while using an adaptive bike. The idea of an enclosed shelter or a coded bike cage or big locker was proposed. Also discussed were potential bike station locations to include COD recommended City parks, the mall, Old Town, transit centers, CSU, and the public libraries. Terry also mentioned the need for seatbelts, and he advocated for reduced rates for people with disabilities due to limited income and the additional time it takes to transfer in and out of the bikes. Amanda reminded that anyone who qualifies for EBD services already gets reduced rates. COD’s summative recommendation focuses on safety and accessibility, with the present height of the bicycles being of issue due to their likeliness of high centering when cornering being a big concern. Amanda explained that 2019 funding is a major barrier to this program. The COD made organizational and group outreach sponsorship recommendations to include: DVR, DRS, Foothills Gateway, Rustin Hughes, Rocky Mountain Recumbents, and possibly even a combined effort between the City’s Boards and Commissions for 2019 was considered. B. Melina Dempsey, City Transit Planner: Melina gave a progress update on the City’s bus stop upgrade program as it applies to persons with disabilities. She stated that TransFort’s aim is to be ADA compliant with the goal of providing accessible and comfortable services to people of all abilities and ages. The current plan, which was developed in 2016, has plans for completion by 2026. Melina discussed the various locations where the City has upgraded bus stops to be ADA complaint. Mandy mentioned a stop where passengers have to load in the bike lane. Carol made a suggestion on how to manage this situation should it reoccur. Melina noted that the City has reached 64% ADA compliance since 2015. The updated stops and locations were reviewed and discussed, and special mention was made of several needed upgrades. These include a missing sidewalk at the southern corner of Prospect and Overland Trail and ongoing issues at stop #1667 (Harmony Road apartments) where passengers in wheelchairs are still loading from the grass. Melina explained that these problems are only “temporary,” and that they will “get back to us for follow-up.” She also noted the City’s new webpage which shows all planned future upgrades, as well as the location of all future bus stops. C. Carol Thomas, City ADA Coordinator: Carol presented on accessible parking in the CIty’s Downtown/Old Town area. Carol posited the question of whether or not there should be parking time limitations downtown of four hours, as is currently implemented in Denver for handicapped parking spaces. A discussion ensued. It was unanimously agreed that before we enter a discussion with Council on time limitations that we first ensure that the City allows for a greater number of handicapped parking spaces downtown in general into begin with. Once this is achieved, we will then address issues related to time limits. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A. Community Recognition Awards: Carol gave a brief “After Action Report” stating that the Mayor was so pleased with the event that he wants to add winner Sam Lawrence to his State of the City Address! COD members were further delighted and appreciative to learn that Carol digitized the entire event production process and procedures such that all future years’ events will be pre-structured, have templates, and everything that is needed for new/incoming commission members to easily transition into taking over the event. This is a HUGE accomplishment, and the COD is extremely thankful for all of her hard work. Many thanks to everyone who pulled it all together and made it happen. 7. NEW BUSINESS: N/A 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: N/A 9. ADJOURNMENT: John moved to adjourn the meeting. All members unanimously agreed. The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Submitted by Sherri Reichow.