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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 03/10/19860 CITY OF FORT' COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY March 10, 1986, 6:30 p.m. The regular meeting of the Fort Collins Commission on Disability was called to order by Acting Chairperson Marilyn Maxwell at 6:40 p.m., on March 10, 1986 in the Council Information Center, City Hall. Members Present: Bobbie Guys, Betty Pidcock, Charlotte Kanode, Judy Siefke, Betty Shuey, Marilyn Maxwell, Nancy Jackson Members Absent: Bill Bertschy, Penne Powers —Thomas, Ted May City Staff: Mayor Kelly Ohlson, Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell Guests: Rose Kreston, CSU Jerry Malman, Attorney I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the February 10 meeting were approved with the following corrections: Betty Shuey was present, Betty Pidcock was absent. On page 5, under Miscellaneous Announcements, Dr. Bowe was scheduled to speak on March 6 not March 3. III. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND SPEAKERS Copies of Ted May's letter of resignation was circulated. Mayor Kelly Ohlson asked for comments or concerns from the COD. Marilyn was concerned that it seems a decision has already been made by the Building Board of Appeals regarding the 1:7. Nancy mentioned that verbal intentions had been made in the past by several members of the Building Board of Appeals to vote for a 1:20 housing ratio. Marilyn told Kelly she hoped the COD would have some support from City Council. COMMISSION ON DISABILITY P.O. Box 580 . Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 . (303) 221-6758 Commission on Disability Minutes - March 10, 1986 Page-2 Jackie distributed copies of a memorandum from Steve Roy, Assistant City Attorney, advising the COD that he recently became aware he is providing legal counsel to both the COD and the Building Board of Appeals. Mr. Roy explained that a possible conflict of interest existed. He asked the COD to consider this issue and advise him if the COD would prefer a different legal advisor. The COD felt that any conflict of interest should be avoided and therefore would request a new legal advisor. (NOTE: Kathleen Allin, Assistant City Attorney, has been appointed to provide legal advise to the COD.) Marilyn introduced Jerry Malman, from the law firm of Malman S Malman. Mr. Malman expressed concern over various bills going before the state legislature. He explained some of the issues: The Alcohol Beverage Liability Bill states that a party selling alcohol to an underage or intoxicated person would be found liable and civil action would commence one year after such conviction. The amount of liability an injured party would be able to collect would be reduced to $200,000 as opposed to the current maximum of $3 million. He doesn't feel $200,000 is adequate compensation for emotional injury. He stated that insurance premiums are getting so high people can no longer afford them. In the case of Damages in Civil Actions, exemplary damages would be awarded only by the judge, resulting in limited power of the jury and noneconomic losses would be limited to $250,000. Nancy said the Senior Board was concerned about the increasing cost of insurance, and sent letters to the state legislature urging dollar limits be enforced on insurance awards resulting from lawsuits. It was suggested he also discuss his viewpoints with the Senior Board. He urged the COD to consider the effects these issues will have on the State of Colorado in the long run, and encouraged the COD to contact the bill sponsors by telephone or mail with their input. (NOTE: Information packet relating to these issues is enclosed.) III. OLD BUSINESS Nancy introduced Kathy Lameiro, social worker with the MS Society. Kathy had attended the March 4, Building Board of Appeals meeting and wanted to give her comments to the COD. She works with many handicapped individuals and thoroughly supports the 1:7 housing ratio. She said it was evident from people's testimony that handicapped accessible housing is hard to find. On the other hand, she said several builders mentioned they had accessible units available, which have not been approached for use by handicapped persons. Rose retorted the builders are • r Commission on Disa ity • Minutes — March 10, 1986 Page-3 making disabled people "ask" for something that no one else has to ask for. Because only the preliminary report on the handicapped/disabled survey was available, the Building Board of Appeals tabled the 1:7 handicapped accessible housing ratio issue to Tuesday, April 1, at 9:15 a.m. in order to review the final report to be prepared by March 15, 1986. Nancy said Mark Johnson, from the Colorado Division of Rehabilitation, cautioned that the cost for accessible/ adaptable units only include what was agreed upon by the COD and group of contractors and developers. Felix has been requested by the Building Board of Appeals to arrive at a cost per unit estimate by the April 1, meeting. IV. ABRF UPDATE John Gallegos Jackie reported that Tina Tapply from the MS Society had been in contact with the Veteran's Administration Office to see if assistance could be provided for Mr. Gallegos, since he is a Veteran. Ms. Tapply will contact Jackie with this information and perhaps attend the next meeting. The Gallegos project will cost about $20,000, and Jackie said that due to the loss of the Housing Rehabilitation staff, project management and architectural design will have to be contracted out. If these types of projects are approved, funds for next year must be increased to include such costs. Charlotte moved to encumber $20,000 for the Gallegos project pending more information from the VA Office. Bobbie seconded the motion and.it passed unanimously. Nancy suggested that Mr. Gallegos also contact the Easter Seals Society for assistance from their Architectural Barrier Removal Program. Marilyn moved the COD set a particular limit on how much to spend on large projects. Judy suggested a $15,000 limit. Nancy suggested a limit of $20,000 per project including architectural design and project management. Jackie advised 2.5 projects per year could be done with $20,000, and a five—year lien is placed on the property. Nancy moved to amend the motion to include a condition that matching funds will be explored with each project from other revenue sources. Charlotte seconded the amendment to the motion and it passed unanimously. In light of this discussion, Jackie asked the COD to consider Increasing the funding request for FY 1986 to $50,000, since she is in the process of completing the proposal requesting CDBG funds. P Commission on Disabilit Minutes — March 10, 1986 Page-4 Eunice Rollefson Jackie reported Eunice Rollefson" an elderly lady who uses a wheelchair, is requesting a wider sidewalk in her back yard plus a wider ramp to her front entrance with a protective ledge. On several occasions she has fallen into a small gutter. Steve White, who is doing some project management for the Architectural Barrier Removal Program, examined her present ramp and sidewalk. Steve told Jackie he felt the ramp is steeper than the ANSI Standards' 1:12" slope. Cost estimates are in the process of being developed. Nancy asked if building a lip the problem instead of purchasing a new ramp. (NOTE: Steve has advised Jackie the cost will run $200, with $30 for grab bars at the front of the house by the ramp. He also confirmed the ramp was indeed built according to ANSI Standards.) IV. MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS The Facilities Department provided Jackie with two types of raised lettering for the COD to review and decide on one. The COD approved the thicker type lettering. Nancy mentioned the Building Inspection Department would be forming a building code committee regarding the 1985 edition of the building code series. She asked if anyone from the COD would be interested in sitting in on the meetings. Bobbie expressed an interest and Marilyn volunteered to call Felix Lee for more information. Peter Barnes contacted Nancy to see if any COD members would be interested in going on final inspections of multi —family dwellings with the building inspectors. Inspections are every 2-3 weeks, and the only problem is that only 2-3 hours notice could be given. She mentioned it would be especially difficult for members to get away from their work to do this. Marilyn, Judy, and Bobbie asked to have their names included on the list contingent upon their schedules. (NOTE: Peter Barnes was given the following list of names: Marilyn Maxwell, Judy Siefke, Bobbie Guys, Nancy Jackson, Bill Kanode and Rosemary Kreston.) Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Maxwell Acting Chairperson Carmen Hollowell, Secretary