HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 12/13/2007COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Fort Collins City Hall
Council Information Center: 12:15 p.m.
Present: Beverly Hageseth, Susan Williams, Steve
Rierson, Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, Vivian Armendariz,
Terry Schlicting, Kimberlee Imig, Lydia Wiatrowski, and
Laura Burnett.
Guests: Annie Houston, former liaison with the
Commission on Disability; Cheryl Distaso from the Center
for Justice, Peace, and the Environment (CJPE); Steve
White, former liaison for the Commission on Disability;
Harry Meyer, incoming Commission member; Mayor Doug
Hutchinson, liaison for City Council; Marcus Havluck-
Dee.
City: Bruce Byrne
NOT PRESENT: Janie Bondhus Black
1. Call to Order: Susan Williams, Chairman, called the
meeting to order at 12:30.
2. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of November 8, 2007
were not reviewed.
3. Introductions: Introductions were made around the
table.
4. OPEN DISCUSSION GENERAL PUBLIC
5. NEW BUSINESS:
Concerns about snow removal at Buffalo Run and Bull
Run that impact persons with disabilities were
discusses. Particularly, there are issues about
placement of the newspaper box and simply not clearing
snow on sidewalks. Susan suggested drafting a letter to
the management with a reference to the ADA stipulation.
Vivian volunteered to write the letter and reported
personal problems with recent snow removal. Lydia will
check for a quote from ADA. Susan motioned to draft a
letter. Kimberlee seconded.
Mary Elizabeth questioned regarding the procedure
for drafting letters sent by the COD. Generally, the
chairman drafts the letter, other commissioners review
for edits, and the secretary mails.
Vivian will draft the letter and e-mail and send
within a week with a cc to Mayor Hutchinson as liaison.
COD needs to be prepared to share the volunteer
agencies list for snow removal.
Kimberlee suggested a short article for the
Coloradoan. Mary Elizabeth suggested contacting
Neighborhood Services as in our Community Access
information.
Laura suggested a brief statement for the Coloradoan
"Thumbs Up" section for who is doing well with snow
removal. Vivian will make a comment at City Council
during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Should people need help with snow removal, the
volunteer co-ordinating group will release the need to a
particular neighborhood and then individuals can choose
to help and/or be helped.
Vivian suggested inviting Neighborhood Services to
a COD meeting (Beth Sauder).
Farewell from Susan: Today was Susan Williams last day
of her tenure on the Commission on Disability. She
offered her help with ADA questions should they arise in
the future. She can be contacted at 221-9677 if
necessary. She recommends sending appreciation notices
to businesses who assist or consider persons with
disabilities. An example was the Lincoln Center for
reducing the price of tickets for those needing to use
wheel -chair seating since they have no choice in
seating. Debbie Dixon-Dobkins is the person to contact
for these reduced rates.
BIKE PLAN:
Bike Fort Collins is currently working with the city
to update the Bike Plan from 1995. Concerns were raised
by Terry about the law regulating wheelchairs in bike
lanes. The belief is that there are `no motorized
vehicles permitted on bike paths." Guest Cheryl Distaso
will check with the police as to local code (Dennis
Harrison) and with the state regarding any statutes.
The Commission on Disability believes that the
community should be disability -friendly, such that
bicycles and wheelchairs can interact and share the
road.
Suggestions were made for inviting representatives
from the police and Bike Fort Collins. Before pursuing
a recommendation, Mayor Hutchinson advised us to define
the problem well and clarify the issues before trying to
change a law.
Marcus questioned if this could go before Council.
Terry complained of narrow sidewalks and the danger of
falling into the street if bike paths cannot be used.
The question arose as to whether this is included in
the Transportation Master Plan. Mayor Hutchinson will
check if this is in the Master Plan.
Lydia is interested working to clarify bike path
concerns. Mary Elizabeth will share schedule of Bike
Fort Collins meetings with Terry and borrow a copy of
the Update to the Fort Collins Bicycle Plan and Program
(also available on-line) to review with Lydia.
Vivian is interested in educating the community
about issues of transportation and community mobility
for persons with disabilities.
AWARDS' CEREMONY:
Susan Williams presented tokens of the Commission on
Disability's gratitude to Annie Houston and Steve White.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment in working
with the COD! Melinda Suits and Joan Cook did not
attend. Bruce will try to contact to give plaques.
Guest: Cheryl Distaso from the CJPE came to discuss
community access issues. She requested COD support for
creating a Forum with guests from Denver's ADAPT program
(Babs) in late February or early March to get community
input regarding the need for a possible non-profit to be
established to deal with access issues. Terry felt that
having a chapter of ADAPT in Fort Collins would be
helpful.
Lydia moved that we support a Forum.
Laura seconded. All said "AYE".
Cheryl would like a community co-worker for this
project. CSU Kathy Shelly was
volunteered to work with Cheryl
where the forum will be held is
there was a strong feeling that
best. Bruce was going to check
recommended. Kimberlee
from the COD. When and
to be determined, but
a Saturday might be
on a city room.
A comment was made that persons in wheelchairs cannot
get in the door at the Bean Cycle.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
WORK PLAN was updated and submitted December 6th1 2007.
7. SUB -COMMITTEE REPORTS
COMMUNITY ACCESS POWER POINT:
Vivian and Terry are still updating the brochure.
Mayor Hutchinson said that the City Council is still
awaiting the final product. Vivian will provide a hard
copy of the Power Point and CD's for Council.
Anticipate completion by February, 2008
SPECIAL NEEDS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN still pending.
8. COMMUNITY NEWS AND UPDATES
9. ADJOURN n
Meeting adjourned at 1:58.�✓ �� ,