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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 02/09/1987CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY FEBRUARY 9, 1987 The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Staff Liaison Jackie Davis at 6:30 p.m., in the CIC Room, City Hall West, 300 LaPorte Avenue. Members Present: Nancy Jackson, Charlotte Kanode, Judy Siefke, Rosalie Smith, Arne Andersen, Bobbie Guye, Carol Rice, Sharon Winfield, Steve Kiefer Members Absent: Betty Shuey Staff: Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell Guest(s): Mayor Kelly Ohlson INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS The following new members were introduced: Carol Rice, Sharon Winfield and Steve Kiefer. GUESTS AND SPEAKERS Mayor Kelly Ohlson advised that this would be his last meeting because his term on City Council was expiring. He thanked the Commission for their hard work and said he was sure that the Councilmembers and the community had been enlightened by the Commission's continued efforts to bring issues to light. He saw much progress made in the four years, he was on the City Council. The Commission thanked Kelly and stated that his role as liaison had been an active and successful one. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the January 12 meeting were approved with the following correction: Page 2, 3rd paragraph, "a 43-year old man with Multiple Sclerosis" (not Muscular). COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/ BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins. Colorado 80522 . (3031 221-6758 Minutes - February 9; 1987 Page-2 • NEW BUSINESS Proposed Economic Development Strategy for the City of Fort Collins The Proposed Economic Development Plan was sent to COD members for their review and they made the following comments: a. Page 2 of the Resolution, 1st sentence: Change it to read, "By promoting the City and its assets as a pleasant place in which individuals and/or families could grow, prosper and mature." The feeling here is the sentence implies that this is an environment just for family groups. Disabled persons, elderly individuals and childless couples are being deleted from being members of the community. b. Page 3 of the Pro osed Economic Develo ment Strategyfor Fort Collins, 1st paragraph under II. xistin91 conditions ... delete needy and e-1dery- residents". Change it to read, "...caring volunteers who contribute to the community are daily reminders..." People with disabilities are left out and not comfortable with "needy." c. Paragraph 3: not comfortable with transportation services being excellent. d. Page 8, under Labor: People with disabilities and women are considered minorities and that should be highlighted. There are many people with disabilities entering the labor force for the first time and they are certainly anxious to progress to more meaningful career development opportunities. e. Page 18, under Trans ortation Services Division: Add, ACTION: DEVELOP MULTI -MODEL ACCESS B R N R CITY. Handicapped Accessibility The COD discussed some of the problems being encountered on accessibility to public buildings. Little Caesar's on W. Elizabeth has handicapped parking spaces, but no ramps to get onto the sidewalk. The threshold of the first door to the new EPIC center has a slight incline or bump, which makes it hard for people in wheelchairs to get over it. (Handicapped parking tickets, however, are being enforced.) The seating area of the EPIC Center has a good platform for wheelchairs, but there isn't a place for family members to sit. People also stand on the platform making it hard for those in wheelchairs to get in. There was a suggestion to put a handicapped logo on the platform to signify that it is for people in wheelchairs. Another problem that was noted concerning the platform is that the railings hit exactly at eye level. Minutes - February 0,1987 Page-3 Jackie said she would contact the apropriate staff persons regarding these problems. (Concerning Little Caesar's, a letter from the City Code Administrator to the owner is attached.) OLD BUSINESS Review of Goals and Objectives The COD discussed the draft goals and objectives and changes were made. A copy of the revised goals and objectives are attached for discussion at the March meeting. DISABLED EQUIPMENT & ABRF UPDATE Jackie reported on the following projects: Disabled Equipment A non-profit organization applied for a Visual-Tek to loan out to their clients. A Visual-Tek magnifies material up to 45 times, by placing the material on a screen. It will greatly assist people with visual impairments. Architectural Barrier Removal Jackie reported that accessibility to a facility had been completed, a handheld shower was installed and plans and specs for a walk-in shower, a chairlift installation and modifications to an existing ramp were being developed. Plans and specs for the bedroom/bathroom addition, which the COD approved $10,000 for, are going out to bid the week of February 9. Jackie reported that she will wait to see what the bids come in at, and then report to the COD at the March 9 meeting. This will have given the family two months to try to find the remaining $5,000. The project was estimated at $15,000. Nancy reported that the MS Society is waiting for applications to be returned from the other funding sources that were recommended at last month's meeting. The MS Society wasn't certain that applications would be received by the March meeting. ANNOUNCEMENT Jackie invited the COD members to the Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 1987, at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Citizens Steering Committee. The purpose for the Public Hearing is for citizen input on community development and housing needs within the city. The Public Hearing will be held at the CDBG Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Avenue. Meeting adjourned. COMMISSION ON DISABILITY 1987 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES I. GOAL - Promote awareness of the needs and concerns of people with disabilities to City Council and the general public. A. OBJECTIVE - Establish methods of disseminating information in an effort to address issues before they become confrontational. 1. To serve in an advisory capacity to City Council. 2. Regular meetings with community/business leaders to discuss various issues of concern to citizens with disabilities. 3. Representation at City Council meetings. II. GOAL - Educate people with disabilities and the general public on available services. A. OBJECTIVE - Utilize public relations methods. 1. Distribute a new brochure throughout the city explaining the function of the Commission. 2. Better media exposure through a monthly column in either of the major newspapers and through press releases to the Applause section in the Coloradoan or to the Triangle Review for a similar announcement. 3. Include a flyer in the Welcome Wagon handouts to newcomers, which would explain the Commission's services. 4. Develop a flyer promoting the Architectural Barrier Removal and Disabled Equipment Programs, to which the Commission is an advisor. 5. The Mayor's Award Breakfast, an ongoing project of the Commission. (Held in conjunction with Hire the Handicapped Week, which promotes employment opportunities for people with disabilities.) 6. Develop a speakers group to address civic groups, schools and other organizations who request more information about disabilities. 7. Co-sponsorship of the "News from the Handicapped Community," another on -going project of the Commission. 8. More involvement with the CSU Handicapped Awareness Days program which occurs each spring. U III. GOAL - Advocate for people with disabilities and enhance their skills for self empowerment. A. OBJECTIVE - Create specific programs and provide opportunities. 1. Establish a Disabled Leadership program where people with disabilities can learn the techniques of leadership and the skills necessary to become a leader in their own community. a. Coordinate with Leadership Fort Collins. b. If done separately, encourage graduates to participate in Leadership Fort Collins. 2. Network with other boards and commissions for exchange of ideas and information. a. Exchange minutes. b. Attend.special meetings. 3._ Assist in the review of Transfort's Handicapped Accessibility Program to UMTA. 4. Develop a mechanism to increase awareness of available accessible housing. a. Communicate with realtors, contractors, and appropriate city departments to obtain information. b. Post information at various agencies. c. Print information in Handicapped Newsletter. 5. Advocate for better access to public buildings. (The Foothills Fashion Mall automatic door timing was regulated after a COD member called attention to the problem.) 6. Organize a team to assist with the City's plans check approval process. 7. Participate in building plans review on a routine basis. CITY OF FORT COLLINS OFFICE OF BUILDING INSPECTION February 11, 1987 Mr. Anthony Fonte 5649 Hummel Lane Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 Dear Tony: The Fort Collins Commission on Disability has _recently brought to my attention the lack of ramped sidewalks at your Little Caesar's restaurant located at 2110 West Elizabeth in Fort Collins. These ramps are necessary in order to provide handicap accessibility to the building. As you will recall, we had a discussion regarding this matter about a month ago, at which time you informed me about a dispute between you and the developer of the Terraces PUD regarding whose responsibility it was to install the ramps. I then discussed the issue with the City Attorney's office and I informed you that it was their opinion that this dispute was strictly a civil matter which did not involve the City, and that as the owner of the building and the business it is your responsibility to make sure that handicap accessibility to the building is provided as required by the approved PUD and applicable state statutes. The Building Inspection office issued a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) for the restaurant on December 30, 1986. Several unfinished items were listed on the TCO which are required to be completed before a permanent certificate of occupancy can be issued. One of the items was the installation of these required ramped sidewalks, hopefully by January 30, 1987. Other items on the TCO are the fence and the landscaping which are required to be done by May 1. 1987, weather permitting. I have also noticed that the signs which are to be in the parking area north of the building are still not in. (These are the signs which must read something to the effect "reserved for drive —up customer waiting"). While all of these are important elements of the project, the one of most immediate concern is the lack of ramped sidewalks. Without the ramps, the only way for people in wheelchairs and other handicapped individuals to get into the building is by using the loading zone ramp. Since this ramp is sometimes blocked by a delivery truck, this is not an acceptable alternative. The Commission on Disability and the handicap community are OFFICE OF BUILDING INSPECTION 300 LaPorte Ave.. P.O. Box 580 . Fort Collins. Colorado 80522 • (3031 221-6760 Letter Re: 2110* Elizabeth • February 11. 1987 Page 2 extremely concerned about this matter, as is the City. We all would hope that you will consider installing the required ramps -as soon as possible, and resolve the dispute with the developer after the ramps are installed. If this cannot be accomplished, please be advised that your TCO will expire on May 1, 1987, and if all of the unfinished items are not completed by that date, the TCO will expire, meaning that the building will be occupied without a valid certificate of occupancy. This is a violation of Section 118-23 (C) of the Code of the City of Fort Collins, and if this should occur, a summons may be issued which could result in a maximum fine of $300 and/or 90 days in .jail for each day of violation. Hopefully, this matter can be resolved before May 1, 1987. Please feel free to contact me if you should have any questions. Sincerely, Peter Barnes Code Administrator - cc: Jackie Davis, City Staff support to COD Paul Eckman, Assistant City Attorney Terry Drahota, Contractor Certified # P 487 526 591 • • COMMISSION ON Barbara Guye DISABILITY 2/87 221 W. Douglas Rd. #19 Ft. Collins, CO 80524 hm# 484-5417 wk# 482-2700 Nancy Jackson Charlotte-Kanode 3249 Silverthorne Dr. 519 Edwards Ft. Collins, CO 80526 Ft. Collins, CO 80524 hm# 226-3561 hm# 484-0178 wk# 482-2700 wk# 221-6735 Marilyn Maxwell Betty Shuey 6033 S. Shields 1618 Mathews Ft. Collins, CO 80526 Ft. Collins, CO 80525 hm# 226-2132 hm# 482-1832 Judy Siefke Rosalie Smith 1436 Glenhaven Dr. 2213 Shawnee Ct. Ft. Collins, CO- 80526 Ft. Collins, CO 80525 hm# 226-3817 hm# 484-2496 wk# 221-6622 Steve Kiefer Arne Andersen 606 (A) Peterson St. 324 N. Pearl St. Ft. Collins, CO 80524 Ft. Collins, CO 80521 hm #493-3679 wk #484-7974 Carol Rice Sharon Winfield 2405 Tamarac 1600 W. Plum #269 Ft. Collins, CO 80521 Ft. Collins, CO 80521 hm #493-3158 hm #484-7953 wk #491-8862