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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 12/11/2008Commission on Disability December 11, 2008 Members Present: Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, Mare Franklin-Gaumer, Bev Hageseth, Vivian Armendariz, Lydia Wiatrowski, and Terry Schlicting. Absent: Harry Meyer submitted his resignation. City Liaison: Bruce Byrne and Jenna Stieben Guests: Steve Rierson, Kalin Logan, Mike Devereaux, and Lisa Poppaw. 1. Introductions 2. Call to Order: Terry called the meeting to order at 12:17 p.m. 3. Approval of Minutes Bev moved to approve the November minutes. Mare seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Open Discussion General Public & Community News No Issues 5. New Business Parking Services Tisha McRae in attendance for Randy Hensley regarding the city's Handicap Witness Program which was established for utilizing community members to cite people parking in disabled parking and blocking access. Kalin was crossing the street at the crosswalk and it was blocked by a police officer — direct those questions to the police department. The city is looking for 15 volunteers to help monitor and provide documentation (photo of the vehicle & license plate) of people illegally parking in disabled parking. Mary Elizabeth moves to draft a letter of support with what we understand the program to be. Terry seconded the motion. Note: Mare wanted to make sure the Commission fully understands what the program entails. Motion passed unanimously. What about privately owned parking lots? Private parking lot issues need to be brought to the attention of the corporation or owner. Vivian expressed that she doesn't believe people have bad intentions when parking in disabled parking and does not believe they should be cited on the first offense but should be warned. City policy is they are to be fined if they are in violation. There is an appeals process to appeal any citation they receive. Mark Workman is the court appointed referee. Leaving Members Terry and Lydia thanked leaving members for their contributions. Lisa Poppaw expressed her appreciation to the leaving members and thanked them for offering their expertise and contributions the information they have provided the City Council. Vivian didn't feel her opinions were welcomed and felt attacked in this group. There were months and months where she went home crying. It was a stressful Thursday every second Thursday of the month. If it wasn't for Bev and she took her commitment very seriously, Mary Elizabeth feels one of the issues was the inconsistency of membership. Jenna thanked members for their contributions and presented them with their plaques/jewelry boxes. Susan Williams is absent but Bruce will give her the parting gift. Yellow Cab Accessibility Vivian was invited to attend a grand opening event and was able to try out the wheelchair accessible vans. They are expanding their fleet of wheelchair accessible vehicles. Vivian provided suggestions on changes they can make. Terry asked if there is any time cutoff on getting a ride and Vivian is going to look into it. Fare: $3.50/mile. Phone number is: 970-224-2222. They will also be offering accessible DIA Shuttle service. Vivian also commented that it would be very helpful to provide 24-hour notice if a vehicle with a wheelchair ramp is needed so they can make sure to have the vehicle out and available. Vivian also explained that it is yellow cab's goal to eventually have a wheelchair accessible taxi available 24/7 but it will take some time. They currently have one vehicle available which is an improvement. Lisa Poppaw A few COD members attended the most previous City Council meeting regarding wheel chair use of bike lanes. Terry expressed he would rather use sidewalks and will continue to use the bike lanes and would prefer to not be breaking the law — he understands there are safety concerns but there are also safety concerns for a bicycle as well. Kelly Olson wants this to be looked into and they want this issue to be resolved to provide people in wheelchairs the choice to use the bike lane when using the sidewalk is unsafe. In the meantime Lisa suggested pulling together suggestions, thoughts, and submitting it to Council in the form of a memo and also coming before Council and presenting what our views are. Lisa would like to hear the cumulative opinion of this board. Mare is concerned at the Building Review Board they were challenged to provide statistics. It is not our jobs to provide the statistics — that is the responsibility of the staff members. Bev also raised the concern about receiving a call at home from the builder. Mary Elizabeth moves to provide a memo to City Council reflecting our opinions regarding wheelchair use in the bike lanes before the end of the year. Lydia seconded the motion. Motion passed with Vivian opposing. Vivian explained her opposition/reservations and feels is someone is killed in the bike lane, it will come back on the City. Terry believes the issue is not the bike lanes, but the condition of the sidewalks. Lydia motioned to support the Bicycle community's effort to ban cell phone use while driving. Mary Elizabeth seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 6.Old Business Bev read nominations: Terry for Chairman Vote: 5-1 opposed (Vivian) Mare for Vice -Chairman Vote: 6-0 Lydia for Secretary Vote: 5-1 opposed (Vivian) Bev for Historian Vote: 6-0 Mare wants to know if the COD members who attended the Building Review Board should meet to address the way they were treated at the meeting. They agreed to meet afterward. Meeting Adjourned at 2:06 p.m.