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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 10/07/1985CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY M I N U T E S COMMISSION ON DISABILITY OCTOBER 7, 1985 The regular meeting of the Fort Collins Commission on Disability was called to order by Chairperson Ted May at 6:35 p.m., October 7, 1985 in the Council Information Center, City Hall. Members Present: Judy Siefke, Nancy Jackson, Marilyn Maxwell, Ted May, Charlotte Kanode, Barbara Guye, Betty Shuey, Betty Pidcock, Rosalie Smith, Penne Powers -Thomas Members Absent: Bill Bertschy Staff Liaison: Jackie Davis Staff Secretary: Carmen Hollowell Guests: Debra Kaestner, Building Inspection Ted advised the COD that within a week Steve White, Project Manager in the Facilities Department, would like to meet with the COD regarding their Handicapped Accessibility Five -Year Plan. Information on the meeting will be sent at a later date. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND SPEAKERS Ted introduced Debra Kaestner from the City of Fort Collins Building Inspection Department. Debra attended the meeting in place of Peter Barnes, Zoning Administrator for the Building Inspection Department. Debra has been assisting the COD-s Building Plans Review Committee to review plans that are submitted to the Building Inspection Department for handicapped accessibility. Debra talked about what Building Inspection does when they look at plans and what they intend to do. In residential buildings, the 1:7 ratio is being enforced, requiring complete site accessibility. In the plans check process, the Department is checking for site accessibility COMMISSION ON DISABILITY 'ft' yt'iyJq P.O. Box 580 . Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 o (303) 221-6758 Commission on Disability Minutes — October 7, 1985 Page-2 and adaptability of the units, per the guidelines that the Chief Building Official has established. Debra mentioned that they are reviewing the state statutes, the Building Codes and the ANSI Standards to come up with more specific guidelines. For commercial buildings, starting January 1, 1986, the Department will be enforcing accessibility to all levels of commercial buildings, using the state statutes. Nancy asked if this will eventually go in as an amendment to the UBC. Debra said that the code change committees are adopting the state statutes by amendment. If the 1985 UBC book is adopted in January or February, it will be an administrative action initially and then become an amendment to the code, with City Council-s approval. Marilyn mentioned that COD had discussed the remodeling of Chesterfield, Bottomsley & Pott's (CB&P's) at last month-s meeting. Debra reported that the site work had been done for the remodeling, which didn't require Building Inspection's review. Perhaps this is when the ramps were destroyed. She mentioned that their Department tries to catch these things, however, the statutes affect only new construction after 1975. Remodeling to a building before 1975 can only be made to comply with the building code and not the state statutes. Additions that are new construction to existing buildings must fully comply with accessibility requirements. Debra will get information to Nancy on the Cimarron West Apartments and if CB&P's will have to comply. Nancy asked if Debra could find out how the Commission could access the plans review process, at the Planning and Zoning level, in time for building exteriors to be corrected. Debra mentioned that the plans examination that COD does is everything that the Building Inspection Department sees, as far as site plan, floor plan and elevations go. Jackie clarified that in the case of Cimarron West, the PUD was approved about two years ago. Debra stated that the number of accessible units ought to be in the PUD and there ought to be a statement of compatibility between the location of those units and the parking spaces. Nancy asked if the Commission should send a letter to the Planning Department and was advised that would be a good idea. Debra invited the COD members to call her with any questions or concerns. Debra also mentioned that the plans for the remodeling of the ramp to City Hall West had been submitted and the handrail is to be installed on one side of the ramp and will extend around the pillars. The Commission was impressed with Debra Kaestner's presentation. Rosalie commented on her attidude and enthusiasm, and the fact that she is willing to enlighten herself and others about the issues of the disabled population. Commission on Disability Minutes — October 7, 1985 Page-3 READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the September 9 meeting were approved with the following corrections: Page 5, should read "Betty Pidcock and Rosalie Smith are working on the coloring contest." First page, change "Arnie Henderson" to "Arnie Anderson" Page 2, 2nd paragraph, should read " .. the attorney for the City felt that the accessible housing committee could not modify the ANSI Standards to fit the House Bill 1477 guidelines. He was going to be investigating that further and that is why it wasn't brought up at that particular Council meeting." Page 3, 2nd paragraph, delete the last sentence. Page 3, 4th paragraph, should read "...COD is getting more help from the Building Inspection Department..." Page 4, 2nd paragraph, change VSP to ESP. Also, "...$20,000 had been recommended to the HAC for an ABR Program." Page 5, 1st paragraph, change "date studies" to "dated studies". "Ed Chilott" should be "Ed Chilcott". Senior Board Nancy reported that the Senior Board met on September 11. The senior task force is gathering issues of concern and there will be a more comprehensive report at the October 9 board meeting. Regarding the letter concerning the insurance liability limit issue, there hasn't been any recent responses from legislators. Board members had decided at the last meeting to develop an acronym to help identify the group of people that are concerned about this issue, and draw attention to lobbying to set some limits on liability. Barbara Kienholz has taken a position as Director of Office on Volunteerism with the State Department located in Denver. She is no longer the Director of RSVP or Chairperson of the Senior Board. Currently, the Food and Property Tax Rebate Program needs more volunteers. According to information gathered to date, not enough seniors know about the reduced base rate, nor about the income tax preparation system. Also, LEAP provides assistance with heating bills, but very few people apply. The Poudre Fire Authority is in the process of initiating a smoke alarm program for seniors at no cost. Jackie checked with the Fire Department and obtained the following information: Commission on Disability Minutes — October 7, 1985 Page-4 The Poudre Fire Authority is working on a pilot program to give away smoke detectors to the community's low income elderly. They are attempting to piece together a list of City and District residents that would be eligible for the program. Both the City and County have lists of low income elderly that are used for tax rebate and other purposes. These lists will be combined into one list which will be used to contact eligible people about the program. Handicapped Advisory Committee Nancy reported that the Handicapped Advisory Committee met on September 9. Beth Davies, of the Special Education Advisory Committee, had investigated different schools in Loveland regarding location of handicapped parking spaces, access ramps and speed bumps. All handicapped parking spaces under 11 feet are going to be made wider. Several schools that have parallel parking will be made 20 feet in length. The school administration is very cooperative and the Inaccessible areas will be corrected. To clarify the confusion from last month's meeting over the issuance of warning tickets to those who parked in handicapped parking spaces, the HAC looked at two different parking reminders and selected one that they felt would help explain that a person is parking in a handicapped parking space. If a person doesn't have the proper identification, the reminder indicates where to get proper identification. The HIO has similar parking reminders printed by the Fort Collins Police Department. The MS Society in Loveland has received an electric scooter which is available for short—term use. Section 504 Nancy reported that Jim Aldrich, from Catholic Community Services Northern, Ted May, Barbara Guye, and herself attended a City Council meeting on September 17. The group expressed concern over the five—year TDP and the language that was used in the elderly and handicapped services section. After the presentation at the Council meeting, the group met with Bob Lee, Director of Transportation Services, Ken Sylvester, Rita Davis, and the consultants from CRS Sirrine. It was agreed that an addendum be attached to the TDP report. The addendum was drafted on September 26, and the City Council approved it on October 1. The addendum addresses COD's concerns and the final Commission on Disability Minutes — October 7, 1985 Page-5 report eliminates reference to handicapped persons as "wheelchair bound". Copy of the addendum attached. Building Plans Review On September 12 plans were reviewed for: United Bank, Norlarco, and Fred Schmid. Norlarco had no noticeable handicapped parking spaces, but that has been corrected. Plans were reviewed for the ramp at City Hall West on September 26. The drawings have been revised to show a 6" handrail extension in compliance with the Uniform Building Code. ABRF Applications Jackie reported that there were no new ABRF applications for the month of September. She mentioned that Mary Herrera's application had been withdrawn because Mrs. Herrera's landlady had raised the rent and Mrs. Herrera had to move out. NEW BUSINESS Mayor's Awards Breakfast Committee Reports Ted read the agenda for the breakfast, and showed the members the plaque to be presented to Diana Royval for her service as Liaison to the COD. Betty Pidcock reported that the coloring contest had not followed the schedule she had hoped. The poster part of the contest did not materialize due to the lengthy scheduling procedure required by Poudre R-1. Betty plans to schedule the poster contest before the beginning of school next year so that teachers are prepared for it. Charlotte suggested contacting the summer school staff to see if their students could participate. A couple of schools participated in the coloring contest and there should be two students receiving awards. Ted reminded Betty that the children and their parents should get a special invitation to the breakfast. Bobbie reported that five couples had been lined up as role players and simulators. Nancy asked that the role models and simulators be at the head table. Ted requested that the Commission members sit toward the front to make it easier for introductions. Bobbie and Judy will introduce the simulators and role models and lead the discussion. Nancy reported that all of the food was lined up. She informed the members that the Ludlow Room would be available at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday to set up for the breakfast. Commission on Disability Minutes - October 7, 1985 Page-6 Thank you letters will be sent out by Ted to those who contributed food and other items. MISCELLANEOUS/SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Bobbie announced that there will be a cheese distribution on October 22 and 23 at the Salvation Army on North College. On October 16, a British film entitled "Skinhorse" will be presented on public television. The film is about the emotional and sexual needs of severely disabled persons. On October 21, Ken Kramer, who is now representative from Congress will be holding a press conference at the Loveland/Fort Collins Airport at 10:00 am. At that time he will be announcing his candidacy for the Senate. He would like to have as many handicapped representatives there as possible. If there are enough people interested in attending, Care -A -Van will be available. Meeting Adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ted May, Chairman Carmen Hollowell, Secretary CITY OF FORT COLLINS ADDENDUM TO THE FIVE—YEAR TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN In interpreting the statistics in the section on elderly and handicap service, the report uses statistics that are available. However, these statistics may not adequately reflect the current population. Collectively, the groups that consist of the transportation handicap is placed at 5% of the total population in this report. This figure could be as high as 10% at this time because of the five—year lag between the 1980 census and the 1985 report. The handicapped community also feels that the medical trip purposes stated in the study may not be an accurate representation of these individuals- needs. The City is committed to promote accessible transportation for the elderly and handicap community on public transit as well as specialized services. Currently, 25% of the transit budget goes toward this service.