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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 02/14/2002COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Regular Meeting Minutes February 14,2002 Members present: Mark Beck, Jerry Patterson, Romola and Rob Fritz, Ruth Bell Skogerboe, Susan Williams, Laura Burnett, Diane Dittus, Jill Lancaster City staff. Tracy Ochsner, Rachel Palmer Guests: Steve Sutter, Roger van Leishout, Business Leadership Network Mark called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm. Minutes of last meeting were approved. Motion was made by Romola and seconded by Diane. Mayor's Awards: Mark reported that the Mayor wants to get Mayor's office more involved in the awards program and possibly send out invitations from the mayor's office. Roger indicated that a Business Leadership Network is being established in Fort Collins. The Business Leadership Network is an advocate for hiring the disabled. Through employer led coalitions, the Network tries to influence companies' hiring practices to bring on people with disabilities. In March, the Business Leadership Network will hold a kickoff breakfast and seminar for employers. Diane volunteered to go and represent the COD. The seminar will feature a video from Ontario on disabled hiring practices. Action: The commission would like to see the Ontario video at next meeting. Roger will bring it. Recommendations from Roger regarding the Mayors' Awards include: • Better promotion of Mayors' Awards. • Charge for breakfast. Is there a stipulation from the city that would allow or disallow charging? Action: Steve Sutter will call Marty Tharp and see if it is possible to charge. • Sell corporate tables for the event. • Have the speaker be a "peer" employer that shares best practices in recruiting and hiving the disabled. Roger said he would share speaker candidate list. The Mayors' Awards subcommittee will be Jerry, Diane, Susan, Laura, and Alan. As well as Steve Sutter and Roger van Leishout. Steve Sutter will chair the committee. Tracy will be the staff liaison to the sub -committee. Mark would like to see a meeting scheduled for the subcommittee and a timeline for the Mayor's Awards. Action: Steve Sutter will set up the first meeting date for the Mayors' Awards subcommittee and let rest of subcommittee members know when it is. Roger would like the COD to become an official sponsor of the Business Leadership Network. Mark asked what the expectation of the COD would be in such a relationship. Roger said that the COD should provide guidance and feedback and avoid duplication of effort. Action: Roger will put together a proposal for the commission to consider at the next meeting. Recognition of Former Commission Members: The commission would like to recognize Steve Seefeld and Nancy Baker. The minutes indicate that we hold a recognition celebration with ice cream and cake at the first meeting in June. In the past, members were recognized with certificates. mu l run: I o move the recognition event for honoring past commission members to the first meeting in April on an annual basis. Motion made by Laura, seconded by Ruth. Motion passed unanimously. Action: Tracy will check about having a "special" lunch for recognition event. He will have plaques made honoring our guests and will take care of inviting our guests. Loveland/Fort Collins Para -transit Connection Tracy found out that there is no Dial -a -Ride service to Loveland. Dial -a -Ride has fixed routes to LaPorte and Wellington. Can we research a similar program to Loveland? FoxTrot travels down US 287 and feeds into the "Colt" para-transit system in Loveland. What this really means is unclear. Susan reported that "Colt" would transport people who live in Loveland to Fort Collins and back but not visa versa. Action: Susan will research the transportation options between Loveland and Ft. Collins and get back to COD with ideas. Orientation PackeUProgram: All members should have received the invitation for the Board and Commissions Training Classes to be held on March 7, 2:00 — 5:00 pm or March 18, 5:30 — 8:30 pm. RSVP is due to Karla Smith, Boards and Commissions Coordinator by March 1. Phone: 416-2525 Notebook recommendations: Add board manual from city to the notebook, move list of members to the front. Acton: Jill will make I I notebooks using inch and half binders. Tracy will get notebooks and dividers. Annual Report: The status is up in the air. Action: Tracy will find out where the annual report is and get copies to Jill (for notebooks) and the commission. Draft letter to Judge Lane: Motion: Send letter to Judge Lane as presented at the meeting. Moved by Susan, seconded by Laura. Friendly amendment: change first sentence in third paragraph to read, " We would also like to thank the parking referees for the efforts they are now making in enforcing parking fines in handicapped parking spaces." Motion passed unanimously. Draft letter to commending Randy Hensley: Motion: Approve letter as drafted and have Rob sign as the official COD representative. Moved by Jerry, seconded by Susan Art Work in the Senior Center: Tracy talked to the staff director at the senior center, Steve Budner, about an art exhibit for the disabled as well as an art show where items would be for sale. Steve liked the idea of an exhibit and presented the idea that it piggyback on the senior's art exhibit (before or after.) The COD suggested that a better time to have it might be during October: National Disability Awareness Month. Both Steve and Tracy will check into the art sale idea. Action: Tracy will report back to the commission on any new developments. Action: Susan, Rob and Ruth will serve on the new "Art Show" subcommittee and look into the possibility of the COD hosting this event at the senior center. Practical Housing For All (PHA): A home builders brown bag presentation on what PHA is and what it entails and will be from Noon to 1:30 PM, March 27 in the Council Information Center, City Hall West. The brown bag lunch for PHA will be put on by the HBA (Home Builders Association.) New Business: Jerry reported that Cal State Northridge has a conference on disabilities, March 17 — 23. He went last year and found it very beneficial. The title is "Technology and Persons with Disabilities." More information on the conference can be found at wi %% csun.edujcod COD Scrapbook: Susan sent around the COD scrapbook she is compiling. If anyone has anything to add, give to Susan. Laura has opened a new restaurant in Loveland call "Isle of Subs!" Motion to adjourn at 1:50 pm. Made by Susan, seconded by Diane. The next meeting date is Thursday, February 28. Respectfully submitted, Jill Lancaster, COD Secretary Coin ssion on Disabi Citv of Fort Collins February 14, 2002 The Honorable Judge Kathleen Lane Municipal Judge P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 Dear Judge Lane, On behalf of the Fort Collins Commission on Disability, we would like to thank you for your support of the disabled in Fort Collins. The issue of able-bodied individuals parking in handicapped parking places has been a concern of the Commission for some time. We appreciate the fact that the fines for those who wrongly park in handicapped spaces have been increased. We believe this will help greaten compliance of city parking laws. We would also like to thank the parking referees for the efforts they are now making in enforcing parking fines in handicapped parking spaces. By enforcing these fines, we send a strong message that we are serious about improving the ability of the disabled to function as contributing members of our community. We hope you will continue to encourage parking referees to examine appeals carefully. This is a positive step in removing the obstacles that have plagued the disabled in Fort Collins. All these efforts will help give respect to the disabled and improve their quality of life. With respect, Mark Beck Chair, Commission on Disability 300 LaPorte Avenue • PO. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 805_2-0580 • (970) 221-F7wo • FAX 19-0i 2,1-d,29 Ron Phillips Executive Director of Transportation Services P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Dear Mr. Phillips: The Fort Collins Commission on Disability wishes to recognize and commend the professional and caring way that Randy Hensley has applied himself in the performance of his position as the city's Transportation and Planning Manager. He has listened to the concerns of the disabled community about the shortage of disabled parking spaces in the city's downtown/Old Town area as well as on all of the city's public properties, and he is working to increase these to more equitable numbers. On behalf of the disabled community, this commission thanks Randy and his workers for their attention to our needs. Sincerely,