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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 05/11/1987• • CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MAY 11, 1987 The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Chairperson Marilyn Maxwell at 6:30 p.m., in the CIC Room, City Hall West, 300 LaPorte Avenue. Members Present: Betty Shuey, Charlotte Kanode, Judy Siefke, Marilyn Maxwell, Arne Andersen, Nancy Jackson, Sharon Winfield, Rosalie Smith Members Absent: Carol Rice, Steve Kiefer Staff: Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell Guests: Anne Marvel, Special Projects Coordinator John Daggett, SAINT Director Ken Sylvester, Transfort Director Tom Frazier, General Services Director Marj Walsh, CARE -A -VAN Director APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the April 13 meeting were approved with the following correction: Date of Minutes should read: April 13, 1987. NEW BUSINESS Handicapped Transportation Study Ann Marvel, Special Project Coordinator for the City of Fort Collins, introduced the study she developed on handicapped transportation in Fort Collins. She stated that federal regulations on how to meet the transportation needs of disabled persons have changed several times over the years. Fort Collins more than meets the present minimum -spending standards of three percent of Transfort's operating budget. Since a transportation handicap correlates strongly with age, and Fort Collins has a lower average age than the national profile, she concluded from her study that Fort Collins has a smaller transportation handicapped population than the national average. Fort Collins has approximately 3250 people with a transportation handicap. A COMMISSION ON DISABILITY P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, Colorado 60522 . (303) 221-6758 Minutes - May 11, 10 • Page-2 She found a pattern of most need in the northern part of town and in the area east of College between Prospect and Drake. Handicapped people younger than sixty-five reside in the downtown area and the northwest residential areas. Common destinations are for recreation, grocery shopping, medical visits and church. Primary mode of transportation for handicapped people is divided among driving themselves, being driven by others and Care -A -Van. A smaller percentage use Transfort as their primary transportation. Fort Collins has three primary providers of handicapped transportation - Care -A -Van, SAINT and Transfort. Ms. Manvel stated the major problem with not having sufficient transportation alternatives is that the disabled people then do not have the independence and free choice of activities that the general population does. Thirty-three percent of handicapped and elderly transportation still remains unmet. Of those surveyed, most felt their needs were being met at least satisfactorily; 16% did not. Of the senior respondents, 27% were unsatisfied. Ms. Manvel concluded her study with twenty-four recommendations, listed are just a few: 1. Adopt a combination of fixed route accessible buses and a paratransit system. 2. Make a decision about the purchase of additional lift -equipped buses in the near future. 3. Buy two new lift -equipped buses when the next replacements are made. 4. Consider some route changes to make accessible service available in the northern part of town. 5. Investigate new equipment on the market before purchasing new lift -equipped buses. 6. Establish priority seating for wheelchair users and install signs that state that policy. 7. Change current policy about the use of the lift. 8. Prepare a written statement of policy for Transfort's service to handicapped people. 9. Develop a plan for improving boarding point accessibility. 10. Develop a more defined relationship with Care -A -Van and SAINT. 11. Consider a shared dispatching system for Transfort, Care -A -Van and SAINT. Handicapped Accessibility Plan , John Daggett, Director of SAINT, discussed the Preliminary Handicapped Accessibility Plan. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against qualified handicapped people by state and local governments receiving federal funding. Basic requirements for meeting compliance with Section 504 have recently been finalized and they must be met by state and local governments within five years. Minutes - May 11, A Page-3 • Mr. Daggett advised that the City of Fort Collins' Transfort Bus System is not now 100% accessible, but it is the City's intention to structure its Handicapped Accessibility Plan through a contractual relationship with Care -A -Van and other providers to ensure compliance with the requirements. The Plan requires Transfort to define those individuals eligible for specialized service and that service will be provided within 24 hours of the request. Transfort will not impose priorities or restrictions based on trip purpose on users of the special system. The special service will be available the same hours of days as Transfort's service for the general public, and will be available throughout the same service areas as Transfort's. The City will spend at least $23,702 of its operating budget (the required 3% of the average of the current and two previous year's operational budgets) for handicapped transportation. These requirements will be implemented January 1, 1989. The City will establish an on -going semi-annual planning process through formal hearings with handicapped people and the Commission on Disability. Mr. Daggett advised a public hearing was scheduled for May 20 and that the final plan would be going to UMTA June 22. Commission questions and comments included: 1. The 3% requirement cannot be reduced requirement; 2. Basis of trip priorities; 3. Selection of proposed replacement buses; 4. Seating arrangement in buses cannot be because of boarding requirements; 5. Implementation of the plan is ensured; 6. Suggest a training system for Care -A -Van those in wheelchairs; because it's a federal changed for more comfort drivers for sensitivity to 7. Care -A -Van service areas and extended hours; 8. Monitoring system for ensured 24 hour response. The Commission commended Ms. Manvel on the study. They were in favor of participating in the planning process for continued feedback and input on the Handicapped Transportation Plan. OLD BUSINESS Approval of By -Laws Modifications to the by-laws were made and the COD agreed to approve them at the June meeting. (Revised copies being sent separately.) Minutes - May 11, it • Page-4 ABRF UPDATE Disabled Equipment Program Jackie reported applications for hand controls, a telephone amplifier and bath bench were being processed. Architectural Barrier Removal Program Jackie reported an application for widening of doors, lengthening of a ramp, installation of grab bars and other miscellaneous items was pending for project manager inspection. The home modification project is currently under construction. Meeting Adjourned at 9:10 p.m. CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY BY-LAWS A. NAME The name of this organization is "Commission on Disability" as established through City Ordinance #166 on November 3, 1981. B. PURPOSE This Commission will advise the City Council and the employees and residents of the City of Fort Collins on issues concerning the handicapped persons. The Commission will formulate, recommend, and support such programs and policies as it deems important to assure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other legislation relating to persons with disabilities. C. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee shall consist of four (4) persons -- a Chairperson, a Vice -Chairperson, a Secretary and a member -at -large. The Executive Committee will be elected by a majority vote of the Commission members. The City Liaison is invited to all executive committee activities and meetings. 1. Term of Office a. One (1) year, with a maximum service period for any one member of the Executive Committee not to exceed two (2) consecutive full terms (two (2) years) or three (3) non-consecutive full terms (three (3) years). b. Officers shall be elected annually at the July meeting of the Commission. Nominations to be made at the preceding June meeting. c. If for any reason a vacancy occurs on the Executive Committee, the Chairperson will appoint a person to fill the position for the remainder of the term. 2. Procedures At the discretion of the Commission membership the Chairperson and Vice -Chairperson MAY revolve terms, each serving six (6) months, if desired. Additional officers may be elected by the Commission as necessary. At the discretion of the Commission, the Secretary may be a person appointed outside the Commission membership. 3. Chairperson and Responsibilities a. Preside at regular Commission meetings b. Preside at Executive Committee meetings c. Develop agenda items in coordination with Executive Committee d. Assure that Commission meetings adhere to the agenda e. Personally assure that Vice -Chairperson (or Secretary) is prepared to preside at meetings in Chairperson's absence f. Be available for consultation at request of Commission members and City of Fort Collins employees and residents g. Bring all statements proposed by individual members on behalf of the Commission before the entire Commission at a regular meeting h. Report to entire Commission all communications she/he has received and/or sent related to his/her position as Chairperson of the Commission i. Maintain contact with City Liaison j. Oversee development of report(s) to City Council 4. Vice -Chairperson Responsibilities a. Preside at regular Commission meetings and Executive Committee meetings in Chairperson's absence b. Assist with developing agenda items c. Assist with subcommittees and/or task forces d. Contact Chairperson, or City Liaison, in event of Vice -Chairperson's absence at either regular Commission meeting or Executive Committee meeting e. Assist in writing report(s) to City Council 5. Secretary Responsibilities a. Preside at meetings in Chairperson's and Vice -Chairperson's absences b. Assist in developing agenda items c. Contact Chairperson, or City Liaison, in event of Vice -Chairperson's absence at either regular Commission meeting or Executive Committee meeting absences d. Assist in writing report(s) to City Council e. Assist with subcommittees and/or task forces 2 6. Member -At -Large Responsibilities a. Preside at meetings in Chairperson, Vice -Chairperson and Secretary's absence. b. Assist in developing agenda items c. Assist with subcommittees and/or task forces d. Contact Chairperson, City Liaison, in event of the member-at-large's absence at either regular Commission meeting or Executive Committee meeting e. Assist in writing report(s) to City Council D. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS Executive Committee meetings are held quarterly - March, June, September and November - for the Executive Committee and the City Liaison (when available) to review the Commission's progress toward the goals and make recommendations for the achievement of those goals. E. MEMBERSHIP There are eleven (11) members of this Commission. All prospective members must apply to the City of Fort Collins for membership. All members are appointed, and subject to removal, by the City Council. 1. Term of Membership Four (4) years (staggered terms), or until a member's successor is appointed. 2. Membership Responsibilities a. Display sensitivity to and awareness of the needs, desires, and aspirations of persons with physical, mental or emotional disabilities b. Present relevant items from citizenship at large to Commission for consideration c. Submit agenda items to Chairperson (or other Executive Committee member) at least one (1) week or five (5) working days before the scheduled Commission meeting. d. Consult with Commission whenever making statements or joining activities specifically on behalf of the Commission e. Participate as needed in special task forces, subcommittees, etc. 3 f. Contact a member of the Executive Committee, or City Liaison, when unable to attend a Commission meeting. (This will be considered an excused absence.) g. Attendance will be in accordance with Section VI (General Responsibilities and Specific Differences) of the Boards and Commissions Handbook. h. Write a letter of resignation to Commission when unable to complete remainder of membership i. Contact Care -A -Van at #221-6622 to reserve regular transportation to Commission meetings if this transportation service is required. If a member has reserved Care -A -Van for meetings, but is unable to attend a meeting, the member should contact Care -A -Van at least one (1) working day before the meeting to cancel the reservation. j. Contact the City Liaison, if taped meeting minutes are desired F. COMMISSION MEETINGS 1. Official Meetings a. Held once a month, generally the second Monday of the month b. Begin at 6:30 p.m. and end, at the latest, at 9:30 p.m. c. Are held at the Council Information Office, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Avenue, which is accessible to persons with mobility impairments d. Are attended by enough members to constitute a quorum. If there are not enough members present by 6:45 p.m. to constitute a quorum, the members present may cancel the meeting. e. Provide sign language interpretation for persons with hearing impairments. 2. Voting/Quorum a. All regular members are full members with voting rights b. No "absentee ballots" will be accepted c. Six (6) members constitute a quorum (a simple majority) 3. Special Meetings a. Called by a Commission member with approval of a member of the Executive Committee 4 b. Subcommittee meetings and task force meetings will be called and held as needed at the discretion of their chairpersons c. Reported/reviewed at the next official Commission meeting by the Commission member who conducted the special meeting 4. Notice of Meetings Notice of regular Commission meetings is included with the minutes of the previous month's meetings. 5. Agenda/Program a. All items are developed by Chairperson and City Liaison in conjunction with Executive Committee. b. Items for the agenda from Commission members must be submitted at least one (1) week or five (5) working days before the scheduled meeting. c. Agenda will be adhered to. d. Allows for an open discussion in each meeting for members to share information 6. Recordkeeping and Dissemination of Information a. Is handled by the City Liaison b. The Commission will report their activities to City Council, via a written report, at least once a year. G. SUBCOMMITTEES/TASK FORCES 1. Appointment Subcommittees and/or task forces are appointed by Commission consensus if time does not permit a vote by membership at a scheduled Commission meeting. 2. Reporting Each subcommittee or task force reports to the Commission. 3. Membership a. Members of subcommittee/task forces need not be members of the Commission. b. Members of subcommittees/task forces have full voting rights within the subcommittee/task force. A • H. BY-LAWS 1. Notice Written (or taped, for those members requesting it) notice of proposed by-laws or changes must be made to each member at least two (2) weeks or fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled vote. 2. Approval Approval of by-laws must be by simple majority - six (6) votes of the Commission membership. 3. Amendments Amendments to by-laws must follow notice and approval procedures in 1 and 2 (above). 4. Review By-laws will be reviewed yearly for possible changes to assure a smoothly functioning Commission. Date Approved: Chairperson 0