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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 11/14/1984CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY M I N U T E S COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Wednesday, November 14th, 6:30 p.m. The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Chairperson Bobbie Guye at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14, 1984, in the Old Firehouse Building, 232 Walnut Street, Fort Collins, Colorado. Members Present: Bobbie Guye, Penne Powers Thomas, Rosalie Smith Tim Kientz, Nancy Jackson Members Absent: Betty Pidcock, Bill Bertschy, Charlotte Kanode, Judy Siefke, Eldon Decker, Betty Shuey City Staff: None Present Guest: Loretto Bishop, ABR Applicant Jean Durr, Colorado Rural Legal Services Approval of Minutes: Nancy Jackson suggested that Mike Herzig's title of "City Engineer" be included at the top of page 2 of the October 8, 1984 minutes. LIAISON REPORTS Nancy Jackson reported that the Handicapped Information Office was contacted by the Chairperson of the Senior Citizens Board. The Senior Citizens Board wants a Liaison from the handicapped community to attend the Senior Citizens Board meetings which meet in the Timberline Room of the Senior Center the second Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Nancy attended the November meet- ing and has volunteered to continue in this capacity. Bobbie Guye and Penne Powers Thomas also indicated that they would be willing to serve as Liaison, perhaps on a six-month basis. It is the desire of the Senior Citizens Board that interested persons serve as alternates prior to becoming full fledged Senior Citizens Board members. COMMISSION ON DISABILITY P.O. Box 580 . Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 . 13031221-6758 Commission on Disabile Minutes -November 14, 1984 Page 2 Also discussed at this month's.Senior Citizens Board meeting was a proposal for a tax freeze for senior citizens that own their own homes. Some seniors are in danger of being "taxed out of their homes A proposal for a tax freeze of this nature was submitted to City Council - person Kelly Ohlson some time ago. The City's report on this matter will be mailed with this month's Senior Citizens Board minutes. One Senior Board member indicated that he would contact Jim Beatty and Ron Strahle to ask their support for similar tax breaks at the State level. Alma Bamburg, half-time employee with the Human Development Department, is working on the Larimer County Home Sharing Program which is proving to be a complicated and time consuming process. The possibility of having a full- time staff person to continue this program is being investigated. Other items on this month's Senior Citizens Board agenda included the SAINT Program and the establishment of a "Senior Shop" in Fort Collins. The Gannett Foundation contributed $3,000 to help the SAINT Program. SAINT is currently investigating moving closer to downtown plus acquiring an assistant director. The proposed Senior Shop would sell items made by senior citizens, it would be located downtown, and would be manned by volun- teers. Bobbie Guye reported on recent developments with the Loveland Handicapped Advisory Commission. The Loveland Satellite Handicapped Information Office is now open as a six-month pilot project. Jan Wilson of the Human Relations Office furnished space in her office for the satellite project. Also, a-chairlift provided by Larimer County ABR funds has been installed in the Loveland Community Building, making it an accessible building. The CDBG Citizens Steering Committee met November 8th at the Old Firehouse Building and Bobbie Guye has been elected their Chairperson. Discussed at this meeting was the idea of adopting a Rental Rehabilitation Program. Two types of programs were examined: 1) The Demonstration Program in which funds are matched 50-50 between the City and the landlord. The unit then would be rented to families on the Section 8 Housing Authority waiting last. 2) The Rental Rehabilitation Grant Program limits spending to $5,000 per unit, with the landlord providing any additional funds. The recommendation to the City Council was to adopt both programs and operate them with separate accounting systems. SECTION 504 A report was sent to Stacey Hart, Director of Personnel for Larimer County, concerning its 504 self -evaluation. He is to contact the 504 Committee with any questions if necessary. Also, Rose Kreston and Nancy Jackson attended a meeting October 18th with Timnath City officials about their 504 self evaluation compliance report. Charlotte Kanode, Betty Shuey, Nancy Jackson and Diana Royval met with Dick Valdez and Mike Herzig of the City Engineering Office, to discuss the type of finish used on the newly installed ramps and curb cuts throughout Commission on Disability Minutes -November 14, 1984 Page 3 the city. Charlotte and Betty discussed problems that sight impaired and blind persons have with ramps which are different than those posed for per- sons using wheelchairs. The group will meet in the CDBG Office on November 16th to tour local ramps and make recommendations for improvements. BUILDING PLANS REVIEW Rose Kreston reviewed three building plans on October llth and Nancy Jackson reviewed three plans on November 8th. ACCESSIBILITY RESEARCH TEAM A letter was sent to Buffie's Restaurant on November 6th acknowledging the alterations which have made the restaurant more accessible. The Handicapped Information Office received a complaint that the handi- capped parking space is located too far from the buidings at the Park Plaza just west of City Park. Because current ANSI Standards require locating handicapped parking spaces in close proximity to buidings, a letter was sent to the property owner by the Handicapped Information Office. The owner responded by saying he had consulted with a Park Plaza employee who uses a wheelchair prior to locating the parking space where it present- ly is situated. Because this employee is no longer employed there, he has been contacted by Nancy Jackson for his support in resolving this problem. Nancy Jackson has sent letters to K-Mart and Foothills Fashion Mall recommending automatic doors to be installed at their main entrances. These doors should also have an audible noise when in operation to alert sight impaired and blind persons. AWARDS BREAKFAST REVIEW The consensus of opinion indicated this year's Mayors Awards Breakfast was a tremendous success. The greater diversity and quality of food this year elicited many favorable comments from those attending. The panel discus- sion proved to be very effective also, as disabled panel members discussed their thoughts, feelings and experiences as employees. The role players experienced a greater understanding and empathy for the obstacles and frustrations that often are a part of everyday life for handicapped peo- ple. This year's Children's Coloring Contest produced many fine entries and undoubtedly made a lasting impression on the young people who parti- cipated in the competition. There were suggestions for posssible improvements and changes in next year's Breakfast. Bobbie Guye suggested instituting an annual award, in memory of Dorothy Lasley, to a handicapped person who exemplified Commission on Disability Minutes -November 14, 1984 Page 4 the spirit and dedication to community service that Dorothy did. This idea was met with unanimous approval. Penne Powers Thomas suggested having the role playing prior to the breakfast in order to have a discussion by the role players during the breakfast. Charlotte Kanode suggested that instead of awarding cash prizes for the childrens coloring contest, to award them with tickets to the ChildreA Theatre at Lincoln Center. Rosalie Smith and Judy Siefke are working on ideas for revising the Resource Directory. COD members are asked to think of ways to revise or improve the Directory. The Crisis Information Center and Human Develop- ment Department have resource directories that will be reviewed to obtain additional ideas. MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS The National Organization on Disability has asked us to participate in the 1984 awards. Applications are due by January 1st. A new liaison person to this organization is needed. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS Loretto Bishop and her attorney, Jean Durr from Colorado Rural Legal Services introduced themselves. Mrs. Bishop and her attorney attended tonight's meeting to appeal COD's original decision which didnot approve ABR funds for replacement of cabinet doors in Mrs. Bishop's apartment. Jean Durr summarized Loretto's allergic condition and her application for ABR money to pay for replacement of the cabinet doors. Before a decision was made concerning her application, Mrs. Bishop ob- tained a $450 loan from her daughter and had the doors replaced. She is now seeking reimbursement for the work already performed. Mrs. Bishop has been living in this apartment for about five months and conditions have been "tolerable" for her in terms of her allergic condition. COD members questioned Mrs. Bishop and attempted to explore possible alterna- tive means of repaying the loan. Mrs. Bishop's position on this matter as well as COD's position were clarified. The Commission again reiterated its policy of non -reimbursement for ABR projects. No formal decision could be made by the Commission as there was not a quorum present. Diana Royval will notify Mrs. Bishop and her attorney that they will be advised of the Commission's decision after its December 10th meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was concluded at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tim Kientz Secretary