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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 08/13/1984CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MI N L'TES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY August 13, 1984 The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Chairperson Bobbie Guye at 6:40 p.m. on Mondav, August 13, 1984, in the Old Firehouse Building, 232 Walnut Street, Fort Collins, Colorado. Members Present: Nancy Jackson, Tim Kientz, Betty Shuey, Rosalie Smith, Eldon Decker, Bobbie Guye, Penne Thomas, Judy Siefke Members Absent: Charlotte Kanode, Betty Pidcock, Bill Bertschy City Staff: None Present Bobbie Guye extended a warm welcome to our newest COD member - Judy Siefke. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the July 9, 1984 regular meeting were approved as written. REPORTS OF OTHER BOARDS ,AND COMMISSION SAIfiT has received a $6,500 grant from Human Resources and will be meeting at the Public Library on Monday, August 20th to discuss funding and fund raisers. COD's request for CDBG funds has been met by a grant of $20,000 for continuation of the ABRF program for 1984/85. In September, COD will need to select a representative to the Citizens Steering Committee for CDBG. Bobbie Guye is interested in continuing as the representative. 504 LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE Nancy Jackson reviewed a letter which was sent by Alma Bamburg of the Larimer County Human Development Office to the Foothills Unitarian Church. The church, proported to be an accessible facility, was used for a sensitivity training session, only to discover that there were inadequacies which caused a difficult situation. Jackson's letter to Osprey Homes regarding accessiblity, problems at Buff's Restaurant, was referred to the landlords, PM. Management. The management firm reached, ackson by phone and are in touch with the contractor and seeking a solution � o the problem. 1 COMMISSIONv� ON DISABILITY Commission on Disability Minutes - August 13, 1984 Page 2 Stacy Hart of the Larimer County Personnel Department is working on the self - evaluation for 504 compliance. An advisory Board consisting of Nancy Jackson, Rose Kreston, Vic Beebe and one other member of the Loveland Handicapped Ad- visory Commission has been formed and they are working with Hart on a report which needs to go to the Federal Government by October 17, 1984. Bobbie Guye reported that the Fort Collins 504 Compliance Committee has compiled their preliminary report and will meet August 17th at 1:30 p.m. to discuss it. Jackson reported that applications have been accepted and prioritized for the $18,000 Larimer County Architectural Barriers fund. The County wants some COD members to review specific plans for one of the projects -- a bathroom modification for a visually handicapped person who used a wheelchair. Rose Kreston, Jackson and Bobbie Guye will work with Bob Martell on this. Rosalie Smith brought up the need for automatic doors at local shopping malls, especially the Foothills Mall. Jackson will draft letters to FFM and to University Mall urging this change. BUILDING PLANS REVIEW There is a need for additional people to be involved in the building plans reviews. The last review included the Downtown Plaza now in construction. The next review is August 16th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m, and every other Thursday thereafter in City Hall West, in the conference room through the Engineering Department. There is still a problem of lack of expertise in blueprint reading and lack of systematic follow-up. Of the three previously suggested persons with appro- priate background, two have declined and the third has not yet gotten to any of the reviews though he did indicate an interest. The question was raised if we might obtain the help of a City employee to answer questions during the last half to one hour of the review time. Betty Shuey suggested the possi- bility of a senior citizen volunteer who might help us out. Bobbie will contact RSVP in this regard. ACCESSIBILITY RESEARCH TEAM Nancy Jackson reported that the situation regarding the State building on South Mason is still unresolved but action continues. Vocational Rehabilita- tion has not yet moved into the structure; they are hesitant due to the accessi- bility problems. Ed Gibbs of the Civil Rights Branch Office has expressed support after having read about the problems in the newspaper. Jackson has re- ceived help from Felix Lee of the City Building Department in understanding the process of amending City code. Jackson, Rose Kreston, Councilperson Barbara Rutstein, Gibbs, and Hyme Madras (City Liaison to Human Relations Commission) will all be present at the next meeting of the Human Relations Commission on August 15th at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall. Even though this is not at the Commission on Ditility Minutes - August 13, 1984 Page 3 P regular three-year interval for building code review, the plan is to enlist support to amend the City code to require elevators in two-story structures. It was suggested that Councilperson Ohlson be kept apprised of the proceedings and his support be enlisted. HOUSING/BILL 1477 Lucia Liley, acting as attorney for some local builders, met with Bobbie Guye and Vic Beebe regarding "feasibility" of compliance with House Bill 1477. The building interests are very concerned with the number of handicapped persons in the city and espcially in the county and projections of needs for accesible housing. On August 9th, persons of the handicapped community and other interested persons met at the REA Building. House Bill 1477 was reviewed, followed by a brain- torming session regarding accessible housing. The language of 1477 included the terms "accessible" and "adaptable" and discussion included work on de- finitions of these words and actual physical features of each. The results of the brainstorming are being compiled and will be used by a Task Force which was formed that evening. The Task Force will meet with Liley and other con- tractor representatives regarding implementation of 1477. The Bill stipulates that enforcement of its provisions is the responsibility of each municipality. As yet there has been no specific involvement of the City or of Felix Lee, Chief Building Inspector of the City of Fort Collins. ELECTION OF 1984-85 OFFICERS Betty Shuey submitted the slate of nominess for 1984-85 offices. Rosalie Smith nominated Tim Kientz for Secretary through January 1985 with the second half of the year to be filled later. Penne Thomas and Judy Sifke will consider this position. Ballots were taken and the elected officers are as follows: Chairperson - Bobbie Guye Vice Chairperson - Charlotte Kanode Secretary (through 1/85) - Tim Kientz Member -at -Large - To be appointed by the Executive Committee CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD The Board has been working on establishment of criteria for obtaining handi- capped bus passes. Bobbie mentioned the definition used on the application for handicapped parking, which has to do specifically with mobility impairment. Nancy Jackson brought up a "not capable of driving" definition which has sometimes been used but has many problems. Penne Thomas mentioned that in her Commission on Disability Minutes - August 13, 1984 Page 4 work at Mental Health she sometimes supplies a statement of handicap to chronically mentally ill persons. Vocational Rehabilitation also issues such statements. The summary of persons who might be considered for valid authori- zation of handicapped status also included doctors, residential counselors, and Social Service case workers. The Board has requested that they be involved in the planning stages for the ramps and shelters which are projected. Jesse Strach, a Board member, has changed jobs and resigned from the Board. A replacement is needed. ABRF APPLICATIONS Mrs. L. Bishop wants to appeal our decision to deny her grant request and has contacted Rural Legal Services. She was told we have no appeal process but her lawyer has sent a letter in that regard. Bobbie Guye will be working with the CDBG Director and the City Attorney to try to bring this matter to a con- clusion. Application has been received from V. Martinez who lives with her husband and son in a house on Third Street. The house is owned by the son. The applicant is 76 years old, blind, has balance problems and uses a wheelchair. The application was submitted by her Occupational Therapist for a wheelchair access ramp of estimated cost of $500. The financial information is somewhat unclear on the application. Tim Kientz moved that the grant be made if clari- fication of financial data indicates that they are within financial guide- lines. The motion was seconded and passed. COMMITTEES FOR MAYOR'S AWARDS BREAKFAST The Breakfast is set for Friday, October 12th from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. in the CIC Room of the New City Hall. Nancy, Diana and Bobbie reviewed the video tape of last year's wrap-up session. It is strongly felt that there is a need to emphasize the positive aspects of a disabled person's situation, especially employability. In response to comments about the breakfast being too light,it has been de- cided to try to contact local suppliers for donations of prepared foods. Hopefully the menu can contain muffins, breakfast croissants and fruit skewers. Committee responsibilities were discussed. All persons should have reports of progress ready for the next COD meeting. Committees are as follows: freshments and Room Facilities(includingc f - Nancy Jackson, Eldon Decker, Judy salie Smith helping with final set-up, etc. Commission on Di3'dbility Minutes - August 13, 1984 Page 5 Invitations and Role Player Participants - Bobbie Guye, Charlotte Kanode, Eldon Decker, Nancy Jackson Awards/Coloring Contest/Name Tags - Penne Thomas (specifically awards), Betty Pidcock and Tim Kientz (specifically coloring contest), Diana Royval will letter the awards. Program/Hosting Duties - Nancy Jackson, Bill Bertschy, Betty Shuey Publicity/Theme - Betty Shuey Brochures/Display Table - Nancy Jackson, Betty Shuey Resource Directory Update - Rosalie Smith and Judy Siefke Transportation Arrangements - Rosalie Smith MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS "Let's Ride" will start a new six -week session next week. The benefit Triathlon on August 18th at 9:00 a.m. at City Park will include the Run -Bike - Swim triathlon and a wheelchair race. Participants need to register by the 14th of August. There will be a picnic following awards. Donations are welcome for the "Let's Ride" Garage Sale to be held September 9th. The Utility Bill and Tax Rebate program for handicapped and elderly is in progress now through December 31st. Information on income and residence guide- lines can be obtained at City Hall from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays or by calling 221-6500, Ext. 7212. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Tim Kientz made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at 9:16 p.m. The motion was seconded and carried. Respectfully submitted, Rosalie Smith, Secretary