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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 02/10/1986r E CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY February 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 January 13, 1986 in the Council Information Center, City Hall. Members Present: Bobbie Guye, Betty Pidcock, Charlotte Kanode, Judy Siefke, Rosalie Smith, Marilyn Maxwell Members Absent: Bill Bertschy, Penne Powers —Thomas, Betty Shuey, Ted May, Nancy Jackson Staff: Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell Guests: Rose Kreston, Ken Sylvester I. CALL TO ORDER Acting Chairperson Marilyn Maxwell called the meeting to order. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Charlotte moved to approve the minutes from the January 13, 1986 meeting. Judy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. III. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND SPEAKERS Ken Sylvester, Transfort General Manager, announced the arrival of the new lift —equipped buses, one of which was at City Hall for COD members' inspection. Ken is waiting for a representative from the plant who manufactures the lifts to come in and train the mechanics and the supervisory staff, but are having a bit of difficulty scheduling that person. Originally, he hoped to have the vehicles in service by February 18, but now it looks the 24. Ken has met with several COD members in the past and he said the general consensus about scheduling the buses had been to schedule two out of three buses on regular routes, rather --• • -- ^•�•�• • r.u. oux oau . rurc �unms, coioraao dub22 . [:JUJJ 221 -b /bb 0 E Commission on Disability Minutes - February 10, 1986 Page-2 than try some kind of a rotation of the buses. It was agreed to try to get a primary east -west route and a primary north -south route. Ken recommended Route 2 for the east -west route and one of the College Avenue routes, IA or 1B, for the north -south route. For dependability, Ken will schedule two buses instead of three. In the event of a breakdown on one of the routes, the third will be used for a replacement. Ken asked the COD members if he should wait until the survey comes back to see if it will indicate where people with disabilities are residing in the city. He can change the routes at a later time, but that the publicity would be difficult. He also said the two routes he is proposing to use carry the highest ridership throughout the year. The COD members felt that it would not be necessary considering the two routes are the most widely used. Ken will advertise the buses and he plans to take them to public schools, individuals, clubs or organizations who might be interested in learning how to use the buses and the Transfort system. Rose. thought it would be a good idea to take them out to CSU. In his press release, Ken will cite his office, the Handicapped Information Office, the CDBG Office and the Office of Resources for Disabled Students as contact agencies. At the end of May, his department will take a look at how the buses are doing, and what kind of feedback they, are getting from the public, and either continue those routes or change them. Rosalie asked him to note the changes made with the end of public schools and CSU. Ken will plan to implement service on Monday, February 24. V. NEW BUSINESS Survey Information Rose said 3100 color -coded surveys were sent out. She is keeping track of telephone calls she receives and asked the COD members to do the same. The surveys were color coded using the same neighborhoods of the City of Fort Collins Quality of Life survey. As the surveys come in, they will be forwarded to the graduate students for the statistical analysis. Marilyn said COD members were concerned at their last meeting that the Building Board of Appeals would be waiting for the Commission on Disability Minutes - February 10, 1986 Page-3 survey results as a basis to enforce the 1:7 or the 1:20 housing issue. This issue will be addressed at the Building Board of Appeals meeting on March 4. Marilyn wrote a letter to Linda Hopkins, Interim Community Development Director, expressing the COD members' concerns. Charlotte attended the Building Board of Appeals meeting on Tuesday, February 4, and she reported the Board is waiting for the survey results. One of the two appeals was for rental apartments and the Board decided to go with the 1:20, subject to change when the survey came in. The other appeal was for condos located southwest of town. They have adaptability on about 75% of the units except the two front steps going in. It was resolved that the model house would be made completely accessible with the ramps, grab bars, wide doors, etc., and the contractor would wait to see how the buildings sell, before making other changes. Charlotte said the survey results will have to be real strong because they Board is strongly leaning toward the 1:20 ratio. Rosalie asked if they have the ultimate say. Charlotte replied that the 1:7 is already a state statute with the option of Individual appeals. The Board is very much in favor of going to 1:20 and that is apparently the option of the variance. Marilyn asked Charlotte if the Board is going to make a ruling on what they enforce in March, and if the COD can in turn appeal that ruling. Charlotte said yes and the Board is aware of that. If it goes to 1:20, the COD can appeal it, if it goes to 1:7 the contractor can appeal. Rose added that she had gotten a call from a woman at Foothills Gateway who is trying to bring two clients into Fort Collins from Julesburg. The woman can bring one client in, but can't the other because of lack of accessible housing for that client. Rose informed her of what is going on with the 1:7 housing ratio. Rose said the COD members must begin to look at some strategies for that meeting. She said the survey might not support the 1:7 and the COD must be prepared to defend it. She urged the COD to try to get handicapped people and anyone in favor of the 1:7 to attend that meeting. VI. ABRF UPDATE Jackie reported on the Architectural Barrier Removal applications. Francesca Dudzinski was denied assistance on January 24, because her and her husband's income far exceeded the CDBG income guidelines. • 0 Commission on Disability Minutes - February 10, 1986 Page-4 Nettie Pino, 74 years old, has severe arthritis and she falls within the income guidelines. She has a nephew living with her who has diabetes. Mrs. Pino is requesting grab bars for the shower. Dori Lind is 29 years old and has Multiple Sclerosis. She is requesting two grab bars for the bathroom in the unit she is renting from the Housing Authority. She also falls within the Income guidelines. John Gallegos, 43 years old, also falls within the guidelines and he is requesting a bedroom/bathroom addition to his tri-level home. Mr. Gallegos says that he is often isolated from his family because climbing stairs is difficult. He included in his application an estimate of $16,000 for the addition. Jackie sent Steve White, City of Fort Collins Project Manager, to look at the architectural design to see if there is enough room on the lot to add on to. Steve informed Jackie that Mr. Gallegos is mobile and can get up and down the stairs. At this time, Jackie is concerned about paying $16,000 with only $32,000 left in this year's budget. Jackie also feels that this project would cost more than $16,000 with hiring an architect and a project manager. The CDBG Office no longer has a Housing Rehab Project Manager. Rosalie said MS is very unpredictable and it sounds like his condition is not improving. She feels that since Architectural Barrier Removal funds are intended for these types of requests, they should be utilized. Jackie said next year's funds will be cut drastically, and the COD must think about what they want the funds used for. Currently, there are funds for ABR and public service equipment. However, she said when applying for funds for next year, the COD will have to show how funds were expended this year. Only recently have more applications come in. Under the Public Service Equipment Fund, more requests are coming in for computer equipment for people working with the Micro Resources Office. Requests have come in at $1,000 each. There is $4,000 left, and Jackie asked the Commission how they want to expend these funds. Originally, the intent of the program was to provide TTYs, ability phones, etc. She asked the COD to look at how much they want for ABRF, public service, and if they want funds set up for computer equipment; considering it is eligible under HUD regulations.* Marilyn asked for time to think about this item and suggested a decision be made at the March meeting. She would also like some guidelines developed. Commission on Disability Minutes - February 10, 1986 Page-5 She said there are a lot of people with MS and the COD needs to have guidelines to follow on how best to serve them. Charlotte moved to approve Lind's and Pino's application and wait on the Gallegos application for more research. Rosalie r seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. VII. MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS Jackie reported that Nancy had received a telephone call from Dick Valdez, Engineering Department, regarding curb cuts for FY 1986. He wanted to know if the COD members knew of any curb cuts that should be a priority for FY 1986. The COD felt that any curb cuts that had not been completed in FY 1985 would be the priority. Rosalie thought the routes that the new buses are going along could be checked into. Rose reported that a Handicapped Awareness Days Information Fair has been scheduled at the Foothills Fashion Mall for February 22. On March 3, at CSU, Dr. Frank Bowe is scheduled -to give a lecture in honor of Handicapped Awareness Days. He was the founding Chief Executive Officer of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities and has been instrumental in winning rights for disabled persons. He has worked extensively with the U.S. Census Bureau to study demographics and how the census is applied to disabled persons. Rose asked the COD if they would be interested in co -sponsoring a reception scheduled after the lecture. She thought $50 would be a suitable contribution and she said it would be a good opportunity to extend an invitation to City staff. The reception will be free with CSU catering it. Charlotte moved to contribute $50 to help co-sponsor the reception. Bobbie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Marilyn will put together the invitation. Bobbie announced the Choice City Wheelers Square Dance Team will be giving demonstrations on February 22, 11:30 and 12:30, at the Foothills Fashion Mall. The annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser for the Handicapped Information Office, will be Saturday, March 8, from 7-10 p.m. at the new Holiday Inn on West Prospect. Tickets are $12.50. Commission on Disability • Minutes — February 10, 1986 Page-6 Meeting Adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Maxwell, Acting Chairperson Carmen Hollowell, Secretary *NOTE: Jackie contacted Eugene Gonzales, HUD Community Development Representative, regarding eligibility of computer equipment under Public Service Equipment. She was advised the computer equipment is not an eligible expense. HANDICAPPED ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 1986 MEMBERS PRESEN T Vic Beebe, Ira Clark, Beth Davies, Jeff McDonald, Orville Richardson. Nancy Fehl, SUB=COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: JoAnne Beebe, Larry Pray, Keith Cr-oonquist, Ralph Alexander (Al- ternate for Bob Lorenz.) GUESTS: Gee Morrow, Dorothy Williams, Regi Robnett, Norman and - Marian McKim, John Allman,W.A. Koschene. ABSENT: Bob Lorenz. The regular meeting of the Handicapped Advisory called to order by Chairman Yic Beebe at Commission was ary 1391986 in the Mountain View PresbyterianpChurch,lday'.Janu ;_�,. MINUTES: The minutes of the Decemner.16,1985 meeting were approv- ed as written. Resi¢nation:Vic read Kari VanMeter's letter of.resi I - I. gnatin-as city iai� son to RAC. ^No replacement has been named at this time. Finding: Once again the commission and Mr.. Koschene':-discussed the variance for the building at 1813 Cheyenne Street. Because of the design of the building it would be very. difficult to make the build ing safely accessible. After a lengthy discussion, Vic asked Mr. Koschene to research material on wheelchair lifts.this month and investigate any possible way to make the building accessible be ---A fore a variance is granted. Members agreed. Vic clarified the question asto why the upper floor of the Kos- chene building did not have to be accessible. It is because the city code requires only one floor be accessible in a 2 story build ing, In the Koschene building, the accessible bathroom is on the lower level so that is the floor that should be accessible. Building Plans Review Committee: Vic appointed Beth, Orville, and Ralph to the Architectural Transportation sub -committee as well as being the committee to review building plans. He askedthat the committee try to set up a once a week date to review the plansi He charged Beth with the responsibility of coordinating the pro- ject with the Building Department. Architectural/Transportation Report: Orville reviewed and approved plans for a commercial building, which is a remodeled house lo- cated at 203 E. 7th St. A real-estate business will occupy the building and improvements will be made to meet accessibility stan- dards. Vic related that he received a phone call from Hardee's Restaurant . questioning the height of the water closet for the handicapped. Vic informed him and Emerson Plumbing, who is supplying the plumb- ing fixtures, that the required height is 17 to 19 inches (stand- ard height stool) in commercial buidlin¢s within the city of Love- land. Vic received permission from the Building Dept. to send.let- ters to all Loveland plumbers notifying them of the change. Beth reported that Captain Schmoll related to her that the e dept�ill'not-deputize :disabled persons to' issue 't ekg_ts�oAille-� gal handicapped .parking -ciolato`rs7tTh4i* .Mtis. dd as or;;,iiAC_ =members =to sreportiolatorso ihe3rdepartment'by calling ,,911 `with"thee"'Tnformationr%eseriptibn' bf-tht-lvehicle;a -license 'plate: number-7w_Wta'.`°Beth-gav611 veryone�a--sheet-of instructions explain=`°e ing--the'procedure to report violations. BeginningmJanuarirA,-at9860t�,the,apolice ..dept.-sis -separating :,the,ac- . count or ,,,iriokets rissued =for-handlcapped�arking violations from othearking violations: his ,grill?<enaiile�the jdept, _and :the Wcom missiom.-�o =know_ -exactly -:how` -man? tickets ;are issued. Axis _Frill not include the downtown area which is under a different process. Beth had 600 supplement letters printed that will be enclosed in the Chamber Of Commerce monthly newsletter. She also had 1000 awareness tickets printed. The cost of the 800 letters was $38.05 and the printing cost of the tickets was $27.87. The expense was taken from the Revenue Sharing account. - ABR Committee Report: During the —past' iith=the--eommi tee - nveaf= igated•.r:s }�applieantws�€ quests oritlinds. The committee explained their findings to the commission. No final decisions were made at this tdme. Further evaluation on the requests will be done this month. Nancy related that Karen Lee will place more ABR ads in the news- paper and also write an informational letter to churches in the Loveland area. New Business: Regi-:Robnett*.announced-the `Human Development office n _,. ye an ;will .,be closing the and of .February.17he Larimer Co. Human Development will still exist with the office in Ft.Collins. Regi explained to the commission that a gentleman has asked her office for financial help in installing a telephone in his resi- . dance. The installation fee is $65.00. Regi asked RAC if they could be of assistance. After Beth suggested the cost be taken from the Mirabal Memorial fund, Jeff made a motion to that effeet<.,with the possibility that Roman Development might reimburae the commission $45.00 of the cost. Beth seconded the motion. Motion carried. Adjournment:There being no further business, the meeting was ad- journed at 9:10p.m. The next meeting will be held on February 10, 1986. Re s,ectfully ubmitted, JoAnne Beebe, Secretary