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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 01/10/2019COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES (COD) REGULAR MEETING Thursday, January 10, 2019, 12:15 p.m. CIC Room, City Hall, 300 Laporte Avenue 01/10/2018 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER: 12:24 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL • Board Members in Attendance: Mandy Morgan, Marilee Boylan, Rustin Hughes, Michael Marr • Board Members Absent – Excused John Morris, Arianna Kilmer, Jan Barela-Smith, Sherri Reichow, and Ashlyn Freestone • Staff Members Present – Carol Thomas, Staff Liaison to COD and Lead Specialist for Employee Relations; Christine Macrina, Boards and Commissions Coordinator; Ginny Sawyer, Senior Project Manager; and Caleb Feaver, Civil Engineer • Guests Present – Terry Schlicting, Fred Kirsch, Nate Bork, Alex Gordon, and Angie Milewski 3. AGENDA REVIEW – No changes to the agenda 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION • Fred Kirsch – Introduction to the COD member as a District 6 candidate • Nate Bork – Attending to observing the meeting is a Political Science Doctorate Student with an interest in this board. • Michael Marr acknowledged the contribution that Terry Schlicting has provided COD, Michael and the entire Commission stated their gratitude and appreciation. 5. APPROVAL OF minutes – November 8, 2018 A vote was taken to approve the minutes, but a quorum was not in attendance and a new vote will be needed in February. 6. PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS • Christine Macrina – COD was to be the first group to view the new boards and commissions orientation video to provide feedback. We experienced technical difficulties in providing sound. A link to the video was being sent by Carol Thomas to view individually. • Ginny Sawyer – Presented options on the “Keep Fort Collins Great” tax sunsetting in 2020 and the options that Council will be considering on February 5, 2019. Interested in gauging COD preference of either increasing the city base sales tax rate by 0.85% or increase the city base sales tax rate by 0.60% and put forward a 0.25% renewable tax. COD concerned regarding the “Bus Stop Improvement” funding. This quick answer was bus stops need to be ADA compliant. Funding in COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES (COD) REGULAR MEETING Thursday, January 10, 2019, 12:15 p.m. CIC Room, City Hall, 300 Laporte Avenue 1/10/2018 – MINUTES Page 2 Capital Tax along with sidewalk improvements. Carol Thomas will request a breakdown on funding for the bus stop improvements. COD would like to see a line item in the budget for this item to keep it prioritized. COD might consider a memo to Council for effectiveness • Caleb Feaver and Angie Milewski, BHA Design – Presented Power Trail and Harmony Road Grade Separated Crossing Options. o This is a capital project. Currently there is a 1-mile gap on the Harmony Road Grade crossing. This area has significant constraints and the team is looking for alternatives. Construction will affect traffic on a very heavy traveled corridor. There are overhead power lines, Railroad tracks running parallel, Poudre River Power Authority owns easement and large utility equipment exists. o Some funding in place depending on the plan chosen will determine if the funds will cover the expense. There are 5 alternatives which are being looked at that are in the early stages and it is not know if they are feasible. Preference is being sought. ▪ 3 Underpass/Tunneling Alternative ▪ 2 Overpass Alternative Graphic Representation or each alternative was shown Underpass options: Direct connection would be deep and long. 30 to 35’ under Harmony. A need to bore under utilities or be placed in an area without a direct connection inconvenient to power trail users. COD Feedback: ❖ Water Table is a consideration (flooding and icing response was that a pumping system would need to be installed) ❖ Manual wheel chair would be difficult ❖ Transit area homeless in area at night or early morning, lights necessary and highlights vulnerabilities. Overpass options: Parallel to BSNF Railroad Tracks or further west which would not be as convenient to power trail users. COD Feedback: ❖ This concept feels better to commission, asked about stairs (staff confirmed stairs could be installed) ❖ Potential to make this special and beautiful COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES (COD) REGULAR MEETING Thursday, January 10, 2019, 12:15 p.m. CIC Room, City Hall, 300 Laporte Avenue 1/10/2018 – MINUTES Page 3 Other discussion items: Could a light signal such as the one in use at Horsetooth and Drake Power Trail be considered? Staff responded that the traffic is heavier and travel at higher speeds, creating a safety concern. Traffic is looking at alternative and improvements to Harmony at McMurray. Discussed the feasibility of a 2-stage crossing (median stopping point). Staff is looking to determine the community preferred alternatives. In April a public open house will be held after which the alternative analysis phase will be completed. Staff is looking for any additional criteria to include and would like community representation on the evaluation team. COD expressed that the overpass alternatives were preferred. • Alex Gordon, Metropolitan Planning Organization – Presentation on the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan being developed. This plan is a regional transportation long term plan partnering with regional municipalities. Provided transportation and demographics of today and the projections for 2045. Transportation improvement plan is looking at the next four years. o COD asked about the E-Bike Pilot study. Trails created that were not meant to be used for vehicles at higher speeds Northern Colorado is an Air Quality non-attainment area, the area does not meet the EPA standards. Showed and explained the performance measurements MPO utilizes. A challenge for the organization is having community members understand the cost of the cost to provide transit. Asked COD what are the priorities to consider. COD response: ❖ Paratransit between towns. No Dial-A-Ride to Windsor ❖ Usable wintertime transit systems for all abilities ❖ Have the Bustang run 7 days a week and more available times on the weekend. A request was made to complete a survey. The link will be sent in an email. COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES (COD) REGULAR MEETING Thursday, January 10, 2019, 12:15 p.m. CIC Room, City Hall, 300 Laporte Avenue 1/10/2018 – MINUTES Page 4 7. NEW BUSINESS • 2018 Annual Report • 2019 Work Plan (Subcommittee meeting on January 24 to work on) • COD’s response to proposed pilot program of E-Bikes on City trails. 8. OTHER BUSINESS Mandy will not be at the February meeting. Rustin announced that he needs to resign from the commission due to his heavy travel schedule. Suggestion to change the name of COD to People of Determination Special Events within the City have made progress, but there are still items to address, such as: Electrical Cables Viewing Areas Event and security staff training New West Fest continuous improvements 9. ADJOURNMENT: 2:17 P.M.