HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 04/12/2007COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES
Updated with corrections, approved 9/13/07
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Fort Collins City Hall
Council Information Center
12:15 pm
Present: Steve Rierson, Rob Gerk, Vivian Armendariz,
Kimberlee Imig, Janie Bondhus, Susan Williams, Terry
(sign interpreter), Terry Schlichting, Bev Hageseth,
Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, Bruce Bryne, Tim Effinger,
Tracy Ochsner, and Dave Adams
Not in attendance: Steve White
Rob motioned and Bev seconded the minutes to be
approved. Mary Elizabeth will clarify wording of the
March minutes and submit at a later date. Thank you to
Steve for compiling minutes.
New Commission on Disability members introduced
themselves (Tim Effinger, Kimberlee Imig) and new city
liaison Bruce Bryne introduced himself. Tracey Ochsner
is a former liaison and was there to help Bruce
transition into the position since Steve White has
resigned from the liaison position. Commission roster
will need to be updated. (Can we locate the computer
file?)
Guest Dave Adams from the Air Quality Board came
to request support from the Commission about
"grade/step graded crossings". He would like a chance
to present information about this issue; he can be
reached at 206-1875 or plos@hotmail.com
AV
OLD BUSINESS: Subsequ nt to the visit to the
Commission by Caryl Schonbrun and Dr. Nancy Jackson,
Susan Williams requested the Commission create a
statement about this issue. She shared copies of
materials provided by Ms. Schonbrun: the Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity handout, flier signed by Governor
Ritter declaring May as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
and Toxic Injury Awareness Month, and the Westchase
Community Association courtesy notice for neighbors to
discontinue use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides
on their lawns. Ms. Schonbrun is concerned for her own
and others welfare since she has had trouble with a
neighbor and City Council was unwilling to make a
statement for just one individual. President Williams
would like a recommendation addressing this issue in
light of current ordinances. She would like COD to
take a stand about responsible behavior. Mary Elizabeth
suggested that immediate action could be accessed
through the Neighborhood Services advisors Ginny Sawyer
(224-6070) or Beth Sauter. Vivian suggested that there
might be more pressing issues. Susan feels it is
difficult to accept the "wait" attitude; that it is a
community issue if even one person is having a problem.
She suggested that the Commission create a plan at the
June meeting since the May meeting will be devoted to
Dial -a -Ride. Kim suggested contacting the Coloradoan,
however, other members noted that this had already been
done. Susan reported that Caryl appreciated visiting
with Commission and understands the step-by-step nature
of the issue. Tracey recommends the Neighborhood
Services advocacy for citizens within the Urban Growth
Area. Susan agreed to share this information with
Caryl about advocacy and the pending Commission
statement in June.
NEW BUSINESS: Susan Williams is a member of a group
with the task of creating a Special Needs Registry for
Emergencies. She requested that the Commission help
with editing a 4-page Special Needs Registry for
Emergencies from Douglas County, Colorado. Edits for
the Larimer County version discussed were:
Page 1: under Registrant information: add line for
Text Messaging; Under Primary Language Spoken simply
have English, Spanish, and Other with a line to
identify and add ASL/sign language.
Page 2: Keep the AC and Heating Questions in place. Do
not delete.
Pages 2 & 3: Keep Special medical needs, but divide
into two categories: Equipment and Medical Needs. Set
up two columns and leave space for additional comments.
Kim suggested adding medications and possibly reducing
the length of the list. "Lift" should be added to the
transportation needs list. Tim pointed out that we
often need prompts about what are important. So those
who are creating the form should be clear on what the
emergency personnel would need to know and how the
wording is phrased.
Discussion abounded about whether a DNR (Do Not
Resuscitate) and a POA (power of attorney) were needed
with the form or simply listed as to location in the
home. This information could be addressed on Page 2,
thus moving the lists to Page 3. Vivian suggested
eliminating the Home Care Status section on page 3.
Page 4: Okay to include pet information; include
number of household members and pets. Add place for
who is filling out the form and add an area for special
communication needs.
The Commission discussed what means would be used
for communicating with the public about the Emergency
Needs Form. Ideas to keep in mind are:
1. This information is private and confidential.
2. The Web could be used to post a notice about the
opportunity to sign up and be registered.
3. Community agencies would need to be informed of the
availability of the service.
4. Information could be posted to the 9 News web site
and City Channel 14 and the Coloradoan
Critical information to define is: the intent of
the form and how to educate emergency personnel about
how to use the information. There is an intention of
requesting a paid volunteer to upload the information.
This applicant would be screened. Each family could
also register for persons with disabilities visiting.
Commissioners suggested that Susan's group invite
Fire/Emergency personnel to share information that they
need. Tim suggested that the group create the form and
then find out how to best use the information. Susan
will share rough draft and connect with the Fire Chief.
Susan will follow up with the group and make
recommended changes and present to the COD in June.
UNIVERCITY: Terry brought up the information about the
community collaboration between CSU and Fort Collins
that has been going on since last year. He posed the
question of why more people with disabilities had not
been included and had the Commission been contacted.
Tracey made the recommendation that if UniverCity is
repeated in the new year, that we ascertain whether
there are FC employee representatives involved and how
people can get involved.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION Power Point by Rob and Vivian
went extremely well and was very appreciated.
Presentation is not finalized but will be soon. Edits
to make: the standard door width on the "Ideal" page
should read 36 inches AND on the slide about automatic
doors information should correctly state that the doors
should remain open 5 seconds from when they are fully
open. Rob and Vivian will be the spokespersons at the
Council; Mary Elizabeth will update the script as
needed; Commissioners can take turns to present to
various community groups. Rob passed out the brochures
and these will be completed with the Power Point.
There was not enough time to discuss the Dial -a -
Ride (DAR) issue or to view the ADA compliance DVD or
for sub -committee reports.
The May 10th meeting will include presentations
about the recertification process being pursued by
Dial -a -ride. State representative, Bob from Krfc, Diggs
Brown from the Council, Marlys Sittner and Craig Dubin
from Dial -a -Ride, and Dial -a -Ride users, and CSU users
are invited to attend. Tracey suggested deferring an
invitation to the press to the May loth meeting. Terry
has written a letter to Mayor Hutchinson protesting the
cutting of a CSU employee's DAR service. She is in a
wheelchair due to an accident of being hit by a bus.
Many disqualified users are having great difficulty.
The timeline for appeals has been viewed as restrictive
to some. The commission needs to understand the re-
certification process, the ADA guidelines, and be
prepared to address citizens' questions and comments. A
Sub -Committee of Vivian, Mary Elizabeth, and Terry will
meet on Thursday, April 26th to discuss the progress in
this issue.
The Arts Sub -Committee (Susan, Steve, and Patsy
Maroney) will also meet on April 26ch
Steve shared information about "Inspiration
Playground" structures for Rob to use in his role as
liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board.
The box of commission information is still missing.
Commission is unsure whether Annie will be replaced or
if Bruce will be the sole liaison from the City.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:00.
Respectfully submitted by Steve Rierson and
Elizabeth Lenahan.
Mary