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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 01/13/1986CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY January 13, 1986, 6:30 p.m. The regular meeting of the Fort Collins Commission on Disability was called to order by Chairperson Ted May at 6:40 p.m., on January 13, 1986 in the Council Information Center, City Hall. Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Liaison: Staff Secretary: Guests: I. CALL TO ORDER Judy Siefke, Nancy Jackson, Marilyn Maxwell, Ted May, Betty Shuey, Betty Pidcock, Rosalie Smith, Panne Powers —Thomas Bill Bertschy, Bobbie Guys, Charlotte Kanode Jackie Davis Carmen Hollowell Rose Kreston, Felix Lee Chairperson Ted May called the meeting to order. He announced that he had revised the agenda to allow for time to discuss the handicapped accessibility survey and the 1:7 housing issue. He asked that Liaison and Subcommittee Reports be submitted to the secretary for inclusion in the minutes. II. ROLL CALL III. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND SPEAKERS Ted mentioned that Felix was present to answer any questions about the 1:7 Housing Issue scheduled on the agenda. IV. NEW BUSINESS 1. Survey Information Rose distributed copies of the draft Handicapped Accessibility Survey. She will contract with CDBG to do the COMMISSION ON DISABILITY P.O. Box 580 . Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 • (303] 221-6758 Commission on Disa• ity • Minutes — January 13, 1986 Page-2 asks for information on the types of households and disabilities within the community. It also asks for comments on what accommodations are being made for the disabled/handicapped or impaired individual and what accommodations can be made. Rose asked COD members to look it over carefully and provide her with comments by Friday, January 17. She mentioned that the main purpose of the survey is to get statistics on the disabled population in the city. Results from the survey will allow the City of Fort Collins and the Commission on Disability to determine the potential need for such things as physically accessible housing and transportation, telecommunication devices for hearing impaired persons, large print materials for visually Impaired persons and other accommodative services for persons with specific limitations. The Utility Billing mailing list will be used and about 3,000 will be sent. Ted said that the Building Board of Appeals had discussed the 1:7 accessible housing issue on December 3, 1985. The policy regulates a ratio of 1:7 of accessible to standard dwelling units in multiple family housing. At this meeting, Felix Lee, Chief Building Inspector, requested a modification to the UBC and the State Statutes reducing the ratio to 1:20. He felt that the 1:7 ratio is not supportable by need in this community and a reasonable compromise is necessary. Bill Bertschy then asked for a ninety day delay on the board's decision for a survey to be prepared. The survey will provide the Building Board of Appeals with statistics on the disabled community. Rose feels that since the 1:7 ratio is a requirement, the survey should not be used as justification for it. But she hopes that this survey will provide the city with information about the unmet needs of the disabled community and what can be done to provide better services. Jackie thought that the survey would also help to disseminate information on the Architectural Barrier Removal Program, which provides modifications to homes, ramps, bathtub lifts, grab bars, and equipment. Discussion centered on types of hidden injuries, upper —body mobility, types of accommodations, and the format of the survey. Rose mentioned that time is limited and asked the committee to provide her with comments soon. Commission on Disability Minutes - January 13, 1986 Page-3 2. 1:7 Accessible Housing Issue Felix and Ted discussed the unclarity of the State Statutes and the fact that each request can be reviewed on a case by case basis. Ted provided information to the Commission on the Attorney General's Opinion which states that it is unconstitutional to change the regulations. He advised Felix to have the City Attorney contact Cynthia Love, Representative of the Attorney General's Office, for a copy of the Opinion. Nancy said that she and Rose plan to go to Denver on January 16 to listen to Senate Hearing tapes to get clarification on the intent of the law regarding this issue. Rose reiterated that the survey will give the City an answer to "how many" are disabled/handicapped/physically limited. 3. Ted announced that he accepted a new job in Denver and will be leaving the Commission sometime in the future. However, he would like to serve on the Commission as a regular member until he sells his house and moves to Denver. He asked if nominations could be made to elect a new chairperson. The Commission thought an Acting Chairperson could be appointed until the elections are held in April. Ted suggested nominating Marilyn Maxwell. Judy moved that Marilyn be appointed Acting Chairperson. Nancy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS/SPECIAL Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Maxwell, Acting Chairperson Carmen Hollowell, Secretary Commission on• sability • Minutes — January 13, 1986 Page-4 THE FOLLOWING REPORTS WERE SUBMITTED FOR INCLUSION IN THE MINUTES APPROVAL MINDTES FROM 14OVEMBER 4 MEETING The following corrections to the November 4 minutes were submitted for approval: Page 4, #2, "more time to move". Page 5, #5, "should be informed". LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Senior Board At the November 13 Senior Board meeting, the Senior Task Force committee examined ways of disseminating information to area seniors by utilizing present and discovering additional communication tools. Currently, pamphlets, magazines and the Senior Service Finder are being utilized. A letter had been sent from the SILC Task Force to Governor Lamm to encourage the placing of limits on insurance liability suits. Governor Lamm has appointed a review committee to look at specific issues of insurance charges and liability suits. The Board felt that it is encouraging to see that this issue is not being ignored. The December 11 Senior Board meeting was cancelled. Charlotte Kanode will be replacing Nancy at future Senior Board meetings. However, Nancy will continue to do the summary reports at the COD meetings. Charlotte attended the January 8, 1986 meeting and reported Kelly Ohlson mentioned that the bus shelter ramp across from the DMA plaza will be fixed by the end of January. The ramp is extremely steep and becomes dangerous when snow freezes on it. In the meantime, the contractor will remove all the snow from the ramp. Charlotte reported snow removal in general was discussed and she is concerned that snow is not sufficiently removed to allow access to the sidewalks. Handicapped Advisory Committee At the October 14 meeting it was reported that the City of Loveland will be administering the $20,000 Architectural Barrier Removal money, eliminating administration costs. Karen Lee, from the Planning Division, will be the City Liaison. Karen will be developing the regulations for the program. The SAINT Program submitted a request for a $15,000 CDBG grant for a transportation program, which would supplement the Extra Special People Transport Service. The request was submitted late, and funds had already been awarded to other organizations. There was discussion about putting the program under city auspices and having yearly city financial support. •Commission on DisaQity • Minutes - January 13, 1986 Page-5 At the November 18 meeting, the Commission reviewed a variance request from a medical building before the City would issue them a Certificate of Occupancy. Because the building is inaccessible, the Commission will wait until they can investigate it further. Criteria for the new Architectural Barrier Removal Program was approved by the Commission and eligibility requirements are as follows: 1) Permanent Disability; 2) Income; 3) Urban Growth Area eligibility as well as city; 4) $5,000 limit; 5) Applicants can reapply after 12 months and receive no more than $10,000; 6) Need should be commensurate with the amount of the grant. The City of Loveland Police Department does not ticket illegally parked cars in spaces with just the access symbol on the pavement. Neither do they ticket spaces where one upright sign serves two spaces. The RAC will consider purchasing upright handicapped parking signs for business owners to erect in their parking lots, in conjunction with access symbols in designated handicapped parking spaces. The RAC wants the City to raise the fine for parking illegally in handicapped spaces from $6.00 to $25.00. At the December 16 meeting, it was reported that the Chamber of Commerce had been approached about distributing information on handicapped parking spaces needing upright parking signs to their members. A letter of information will be enclosed in the Chamber's monthly newsletter. Elections were held and Via Beebe and Beth Davies were elected chairperson and vice -chairperson respectively. The HAC also discussed the list of goals for 1986. Section 504 1. In reference to a letter from Steve White, City Project Manager, to Ted May regarding handicapped signage, raised lettering will be used throughout all City buildings including the indoor pool/ice rink facility. 2. Some COD members and Ken Sylvester, Transfort General Manager, met on November 14, regarding the new lift -equipped buses. Ken hoped the three new buses would be on line by mid -February. Public Hearings have been scheduled to get citizen input on the proposed route and fare changes. The rate change is an increase to $.30 anytime for seniors, youth and handicapped. The three lift -equipped buses are 31-passenger vehicles and each have two fold -up seats permitting wheelchair tie -down near the rear wheel well. 3. Steve White met with some COD members on November 14 and 20 to clarify items in the accessibility priority list for City buildings. Commission on Disaity • Minutes - January 13, 1986 Page-6 4. The Building Board of Appeals meeting on December 3 related to Felix Lee-s appeal to change the accessible/adaptable housing ratio from 1:7 to 1:20. The decision was tabled until a survey of the disabled community could be conducted. On January 7, the Board of Appeals heard an appeal from Nor -Rite, Inc., regarding the 38-unit Edora Acres Townhouse Project. The two-story four-plexes were constructed from a master plan in 1984 at which time there was uncertainty about the townhouse being exempt from the 1:7 as single-family houses. No bedrooms or "adaptable" bathrooms are on grade level. The appeal was for the last four-plex unit currently under construction. Because compliance was considered a financial hardship to the contractor at this late date, a variance was granted.