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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 09/04/2002 MINUTES - QUORUM MEETING COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES September 4, 2002 Committee Members - Present Committee Members - Absent Chairperson: Ms. Crystal Lyons Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover Vice Chair: Mr. Roberto M. Flores Ms. Mary J. Saenz Ms. Sandra Cabazos Mr. Eloy Son Ms. Toni Padilla Billy R. Sayles Mr. Glen Ray Tomo CITY STAFF: (ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT) Building Official: Park & Recreation Director: Mr. Art Sosa Mr. Ondrias for Dan Whitworth Human Relations Administrator: Legal Advisor: Mr. L. David Ramos, Director Mr. Joseph Harney Human Relations Analyst: Wanese Taylor Butler Human Relations Management Assistant: Ms. June Shultz CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Lyons ATTENDANCE — Roll Call — Crystal Lyons — P; Robert Flores — P (came in late); Sandra Cabazos — P; Linda Fallwell-Stover— A; Toni Padilla— P; Mary Saenz — A; Billy Sayles — P; Eloy Soza— A; Ray Tonto —P. We had a quorum. INTRODUCTIONS: None. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Approval of Minutes: Approval of August 7t' minutes — motion by Ms. Cabazos, second by Ms. Padilla; vote — motion passed. SCANNED Revised:10/3/02 PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS: Abel Alonzo, Community ADA Advocate, spoke to the Committee. He expressed a concern over the lack of attendance of City Staff (Department Heads) for the monthly meetings. He expressed that it was important for them to be there. Unless there was a good excuse for Mr. Whitworth to not be there. Mr. Alonzo expressed a concern that Mr. Whitworth has not been personally receptive to ADA issues and accommodations. Transition Plan Summary Presentation - David Ramos Monday, September 9, 2002, the draft Transition Plan will provided as a presentation to the City Council. The information provided today is a summary of how to tackle the deficiencies identified in the self-evaluation process. It identifies needs, costs, and projected timelines for completion. They will provide a copy of the information to the City Council. The information covered is the Executive Summary, which provides an overview of ADA and Draft Transition Plan. The presentation is a preliminary draft for the Council's information and comments. Changes will be made after the Council makes any comments/suggestions. Mr. Ramos provided an overview of the law and requirements. He reviewed the self-evaluation information provided to the City's departmental ADA Coordinators. He explained the draft has a summary by department/facility, by category, and cost. The facilities bottom line costs are estimated at $599,805. Building Maintenance and Engineering Services helped with cost information. They also added in 10% for contingencies and 25% for design and related administrative costs. Some of the areas addressed in services included: close captioning; Library - lowered counter(s)/table/staff for assistance; Internet - System upgrade; Requests for Accommodations for Park and Recreation; Public Information - to be provided in alternate formats. Projected services related costs are $136,730 - some would be a reoccurring annual expense and some would be one-time expenses, i.e.: purchase of equipment. The projected reoccurring annual costs are $117,480. Curb ramps - Engineering Services did an analysis. There are 1131 miles of city streets, excluding TXDOT; 377 miles curb ramps completed from 1989 to now; 474 miles of remaining curb ramps = 2,120 curb ramps. 280 miles do not have curb and gutter and =constructed streets. Revised:1013/02 Mr. Flores came in late. Chairperson Lyons expressed a concern of statistics on curb cuts. Mr. Ramos clarified this was based on documented work. There was a projection of $205 Million dollar costs, including associated removal costs for telephone poles or barriers. Mr. Ondrias provided additional information. Street projects don't drive overlays, curb and sidewalk; chip/seal coat - what will drive alterations? General discussion. Three prong process: - Set schedule, remaining numbers are based on information available. - As streets are altered, include curb ramps in design. - On a request basis. It would be good for the CFPWD to provide input on priorities. Mr. Ramos is receiving calls for curb cuts. We are working to determine what needs to be done and where we currently are. There was discussion about focusing on arterial streets. There was discussion about $205 Million over a certain period of time. [$130,000 (at least) per year on incoming citizen requests.] Engineering Services and Developmental Services will oversee and implement this responsibility, so funding would be located in their areas. There was discussion about Bond Issues, CIP, and Street Department Funds, to address funding issues. The Plan addresses six areas: 1. Public Facilities 2. Services/Activities/Programs 3. Public Curb Ramps 4. Site Development 5. Intergovernmental Agencies/Pubic Businesses 6. Outreach and Training There was discussion about PSA's, City staff training, Internet Web Page. Mr. Ramos discussed how to determine work timelines. There are primary and secondary buildings, also consideration of utilization of buildings. Primary locations will be done first, than the secondary locations will be addressed. It is proposed that the physical facilities be completed within the first three years, starting next year (clarification that this is not the Committee's recommendation, it's staffs recommendation). The Transition Revised:10/3/02 Plan will be an on-going working document, which will include necessary changes, as they arise. A lot of the items identified can be done this year. A lot of this document pertains to the Park and Recreation Department. Some departments are in the process of implementing modifications now. The Transition Plan also includes provisions for a monitoring process, annual report to the City Council and mentioned the effort to achieve implementation of the proposed $1.00 surcharge fee on utility services. There are new requirements regarding Park and Recreation — outdoor recreation activities. Ms. Lyons questioned if during the comprehensive self-evaluation process — did departments assess every program, activity, and service? Was this done? Where are we at with that? Mr. Ramos discussed the three areas addressed, public contact, services, and programs. Each department is looking at every program, activity and service. There were guidelines in the Action Guide. Mr. Sosa asked if the Core Group has requested a copy of the School District's Transition Plan from CCISD? Mr. Ramos indicated they hadn't. Mr. Sosa discussed the possibility of seeing if the City can require curb ramps with schools? Mr. Ramos discussed a possibility of a joint collaboration. Ms. Lyons mentioned the use of CDBG funds. Mr. Sosa discussed the benefits of networking. Ms. Padilla asked if the presentation would be made to the City Council on September 9a'? Mr. Ramos indicated yes. The Chair made a motion to alter the flow of the Agenda to discuss Agenda items, as some members needed to leave the meeting early. OLD BUSINESS: Nomination of Officers - Ms. Padilla nominated Ms. Lyons be re-appointed as Chairperson, Mr. Sayles seconded the nomination. No further nominations were made. A vote was taken and unanimously passed to reappoint Ms. Lyons. Mr. Tomo nominated Mr. Flores be re-appointed as Vice Chairperson, Mr. Sayles seconded the nomination. No further nominations were made. A vote was taken and unanimously passed to reappoint Mr. Flores. Ms. Padilla nominated Ms. Cabazos be appointed as Secretary, Mr. Sayles seconded the nomination. No further nominations were made. A vote was taken and unanimously passed to appoint Ms. Cabazos. Revised:10/3/02 CHAIR'S REPORT: Chair's Report —provided the Committee with TDD equipment information. Mr. Ramos shared Human Relations Department's TDD number and discussed Ms. Padilla's assistance with the equipment. DOJ (Department of Justice) went to one city in each state and established Settlement Agreements. San Antonio was the city selected in Texas. We could refer back to it as a model, for the Transition Plan. New Orleans had a recent court decision regarding ADA compliance examples for festivals, special events, etc. DOJ specifications were included in the decision. Mr. Sosa asked for a copy of the information, which Ms. Lyons provided. Mr. Ramos will speak with the City Secretary and the office that handles permits. There was a recent article in the Houston Chronicle about "Hang Tag Cheaters", where it indicated approximately 30-40% of the tags being used, were being used illegally. There was discussion about other cities — how some were more active in confiscating and ticketing. There was discussion on more need for awareness and confiscation and awareness information to the Police Department. Mr. Ramos mentioned his discussions with CCPD regarding the lead that there was illegal selling of hangtags at the Trade Center. Undercover officers were sent to investigate the matter. The Houston Chronicle did a sting operation. There was discussion on other cities using Citizen Groups to address this issue — Ft. Worth and Houston to name a couple. Ms. Padilla asked if the Committee was interested in pursuing this? Ms. Lyons asked for Mr. Ramos to put together a packet of general information on this issue. Mr. Ramos indicated that CCPD was supportive of our requests. He would ask Capt. Tisdale to come next month. There was discussion about Golf Course abuse too. There are special flags used to go elsewhere. It was found that some people purchased their own flags and some were fraudulent. Mr. Flores expressed a concern that some businesses had done away with accessible parking spaces. Ms. Lyons indicated that he could file a formal Revised:10/3/02 complaint. Mr. Flores mentioned i.e.: the second level of Sunrise Mall. He would contact Mr. Ramos regarding it. Ms. Lyons mentioned Park and Recreation Day Care laws. She had a copy of the regulations and provided a copy to Mr. Ondrias. Ms. Shultz asked for a copy also. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Outreach and Awareness Sub-Committee: No meeting yet. However there was discussion of the upcoming sesquicentennial celebration and the 9/11 commemorative events. Mr. Ramos will contact Ms. Cabazos later to assist with scheduling a meeting date and location. Legislative Update: Resolution and Ordinance Draft: 1. The Legal review is pending. The Committee is okay with the draft, but waiting for response to questions raised on three sections. The Legal Department is checking into the matter. 2. Resolution draft is pending. Steering Committee —No report at this time. OLD BUSINESS: Election of Officers — addressed earlier in meeting. Submission of any Committee Comments/Suggestions/Concerns regarding last month's "Shelter As A Last Resort"Presentation and Information— Ms. Lyons suggested a traveling tri-fold of City Events or visual presentation for open lobby area. Mr. Ramos indicated EOC has some monies and he would share the suggestion. Ms. Lyons also suggested a smaller reminder. There was general discussion. Mr. Tomo indicated there should be a Planning Meeting to coordinate the large segment of Health Care facilities. They must follow-up on this. The necessary people did not attend. Further discussion on awareness. Ms. Lyons mentioned the RTA Revised:10/3/02 and lift users. Use the buses to get the information out. Ms. Cabazos expressed a concern that Juan Ortiz indicated however that bus services stop. Mr. Harney discussed some outreach options. Ms. Lyons expressed the importance of identifying the target audience and to include local agencies. Mr. Ondrias discussed his past experience where Houston Power had a lot of information and could be a possible resource. He discussed receiving EOC calls from all over the country — there needs to be planning for unexpected calls. Mr. Sosa discussed the possible use of"Meals on Wheels" database. Mr. Harney indicated that it covers more than seniors. Ms. Lyons discussed this as a possible outreach focus group. Mr. Sayles discuss the possibility of going through the Coalition. Park and Recreation Integrated Programs — Discussion if matter should be further addressed by CFPWD — i.e.: Policy recommendation(s). This has been a big issue with some members. Committee members interested could get together to discuss. Mr. Ramos mentioned the Transition Plan recommendations and the proposed Accommodation Request process. Ms. Lyons also mentioned the handout she gave Mr. Ondrias on examples of Park and Recreation accommodations. Ms. Cabazos, Mr. Flores and Ms. Padilla indicated they would like to meet and discuss this matter. Diversity Training Update - City staff went to Del Mar College and provided diversity training to a Supervisory Management class. We have not resumed all training and continuation of developing the training calendar due to the extensive work being done on the Transition Plan. Future meetings will be done in large group meeting settings - such as at the City Council chambers or other larger meeting locations on designated dates. Caller Times Draft Letter— Ms. Lyons discussed the draft letter to the Caller Times. She didn't draft it. She had a meeting with Velma Luna yesterday. We will need to modify the letter. Additionally, it would be better to wait to see what the editors say. Revised: 10/3/02 Code Revision— Update — Mr. Sosa met with attorneys for four hours yesterday, regarding the Code Adoption , which is scheduled in November. One of the attorneys questioned the $50,000 and there are staffing concerns. Mr. Sosa tends to agree with the staffing concerns, but we have to start somewhere. It was questioned by the Committee, does he needs support for staffing requests from the CFPWD? Mr. Sosa indicated that it was a good meeting and they were still on track. They are planning a Council presentation in September, approximately the third week. There was further general discussion. New Business: (Discussion, with possible action.) EEOC Small Business Workshop— to be held October 30, 2002. Mr. Ramos discussed the details. Administrator's Report—Mr. Ramos provided the August 2002 Information. Committee Concerns / Request For Agenda Items— As discussed above. Announcements - October is national "Disabilities Employment Awareness Month", be on the lookout to see if they are doing anything. Ms. Lyons indicated she would put together a calendar of events. There will be a meeting on October 5th, 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 Noon at the Holiday Inn hosted by Accessibility Coalition of Coastal Bend, to provide information on resources. It will be open to the public. Motion to Adjourn — motion made by Mr. Torno and seconded by Ms. Cabazos, vote —passed. Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:00 p.m. Mtes Approved �jf / � // /O///O2. sl Lyons, Coittee Chairperson Date Revised:10/3/02