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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 11/12/2002 - Special MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES November 12, 2002 Committee Members - Present Committee Members - Absent Chairperson: Ms. Crystal Lyons Vice Chair: Mr. Roberto M. Flores Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover Ms. Sandra Cabazos Ms. Toni Padilla Ms. Mary J. Saenz Billy R. Sayles Mr. Glen Ray Torno Mr. Eloy Soza CITY STAFF: (ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTI Building Official: Park & Recreation Director: Mr. Kendall for Mr. Art Sosa Dan Whitworth - A (Council) Human Relations Administrator: Legal Advisor: Mr. L. David Ramos, Director Mr. Joseph Harney Human Relations Analyst: Other City Staff Present: Wanese Taylor Butler Andrew Quittner Human Relations Management Assistant: Ms. June Shultz CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Lyons ATTENDANCE — Roll Call: Crystal Lyons — P; Robert Flores — A; Sandra Cabazos — A (Childcare); Linda Fallwell-Stover—P; Toni Padilla — P; Mary Saenz —A (Out of town); Billy Sayles —P; Eloy Soza— P; Ray Torno — A (Business). City Staff: Mr. Kendall for Mr. Sosa; Mr. Whitworth - A (City Council Meeting); Joseph Harney - P; David Ramos - P; Wanese Butler - P; June Shultz - P. We had a quorum. Public - Abel Alonzo INTRODUCTIONS: N/A SCANNED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Special Meeting Minutes - 9/18/02 Distributed by e-mail and/or at the meeting. Ms. Lyons requested a correction to the last page, third line, requesting clarification on the section "...Austin has $1 million a year...", and clarified that the City of Austin passed a Bond Election providing $1 million of funding for ADA, yet uncertain if it is for a year. MOTION: To accept the minutes as amended was made by Eloy Soza, and seconded by Ms. Lyons. A vote was taken and the motion passed. Special Meeting Minutes - 9/26/02 Distributed by e-mail and/or at the meeting. 1. Ms. Lyons requested a correction to Page 5, third paragraph, requesting clarification on the section "... the forms...", and clarified that these forms were "ADA Title II Action Guide" forms. 2. Ms. Lyons made a second correction in that section pertaining to..."ADA Title II Action Guide" questions..., this allows reader to know what forms or guide was used. 3. Ms. Fallwell-Stover requested a correction on the second to last page - the name shown as "Coontz" should be "Counts", referring to Ms. Cindy Counts of Governor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities in Austin, Texas. 4. Ms. Lyons also requested a correction on the last page, referencing a grant, to be modified to reflect "federal grant". Additionally, Ms. Lyons indicated that during one or both of the prior special meetings on the ADA Transition Plan, she had expressed her disappointment in not being allowed to participate in any of the City's Core Group meetings. Ms. Lyons asked Ms. Shultz to verify which meeting(s) these comments were made. Ms. Shultz agreed. MOTION: To accept the minutes as amended was made by Eloy Soza, and seconded by Toni Padilla. A vote was taken and the motion passed. OLD BUSINESS: (Discussion and possible action) This Special Meeting was called to continue to address and update on the draft Transition Plan. 2 Mr. Ramos began the update with a matrix itemizing the Committee's requests and recommendations on the ADA Transition Plan. Ms. Butler distributed the matrix - copy attached. (The committee began a line-item review of the matrix, with discussion.) Ms. Lyons asked about the list of individual public comments, previously requested by Mr. Soza. Mr. Ramos indicated that these public comments were incorporated into the Transition Plan, and that the matrix in hand was provided to show those items changed and those completed. Both Ms. Lyons and Mr. Soza further indicated that we were interested in reviewing the public comments. Mr. Ramos indicated he believed the Committee initially wanted those public comments included in the ADA Transition Plan document, which has already been done as an appendix. Mr. Soza elaborated by concurring he did request these public comments to be included in the document. Mr. Ramos indicated that Ms. Butler had prepared the appendix and that she has left the meeting to retrieve this information. Ms. Lyons indicated it was the Committee's job to represent the public and to do so, their review of those public comments is necessary. Ms. Lyons asked for clarification on the "Complete" status to the item - Internet accessibility standards. An emailed response from Ms. Susan Cable, Director of the City's E-Government Department, was read to the Committee. Ms. Lyons asked that Mr. Ramos speak further with Ms. Cable. Mr. Ramos indicated E-Government had the new on-line system already. Ms. Lyons provided Mr. Ramos further information by hardcopy. Regarding the next item of funding for Senior and Middle Age activities, Mr. Ramos asked the Committee for clarification of additional funding and/or increased efforts in compliance. Ms. Fallwell-Stover indicated she took issue on this matter to include senior citizens, during the previous concerns and discussion on lack of availability to kids with disabilities. Ms. Fallwell-Stover added that staff has done "a pretty good job" of going-on with programs to take care of senior centers, and that this is what she was hoping. Mr. Ramos indicated staff is in the process obtaining additional information, which will later be shared with the Committee, including concerns about transportation. Ms. Fallwell-Stover reiterated her concerns of accessible programs for all ages and that the accommodation goes beyond the facility and beyond the youth. Mr. Ramos mentioned the work in 3 process with Park and Recreation for accessibility of programs and policies. Ms. Fallwell-Stover reminded that there was a lot of commentary (from the community to C-Bay) about there not being programs or opportunity for kids with disabilities, and we want to see that change. General discussion ensued about previous adaptive programs being discontinued and the concern that replacement programming be inclusive. Ms. Lyons continued with the matrix, moving on to Item 5, which this also addresses that. Ms. Lyons questioned Item 7, and also if the Island miles had been excluded for curb ramps. Ms. Butler indicated that further on the matrix (matrix being in chronological order) Engineering Director, Mr. Angel Escobar, had clarified this item at the 10/2/02 Regular Meeting, during his presentation, with understanding from the Committee that the Island miles would be noted and given the lowest priority. Ms. Lyons asked if that was done at the CIP Presentation? Is that in the CIP Guidebook? Ms. Shultz clarified location of question in minutes: • First reference pertained to the designation of which category the miles would fall within. They were in both categories - identification number of miles each. • Then there was a request if they could legally withdraw that number of miles. • Then there was discussion about classifying them as a lower status, as a lower priority. So there were three different references that are combined in this. Ms. Lyons indicated that in that meeting somehow he agreed that they could be pulled out. The next item says working - which means checking to see if they can really do that. So it's not reflected in the CIP guide. Mr. Ramos indicated that he doesn't know if it is in the CIP document. Ms. Lyons indicated she just wanted to be clear on this. Because complete to her means that it's complete, but what Mr. Ramos was going by, was that portion was completed. This included Item 8. Item 9 - Ms. Butler indicated that this pertained to items in Appendix A - as the bid process has not yet started for these items. There was a concern previously expressed by Mr. Tomo, suggesting that bidding out with larger packages could bring the cost down. (Line item review continued 10-13 with no further questions or comments.) 4 Item 14 - After Mr. Ramos indicated as part of the same information of Items 4, 5 and 6, Ms. Lyons indicated having to accept yet make sure that it is brought into line. Item 15 - Ms. Butler confirmed the City departments were notified. Item 16 -No discussion - moved on to next item. Item 17 - Mr. Ramos indicated that this was where at the last meeting there was discussion about some of the Action Guide not being completed on programs. Mr. Ramos shared approach to cover all department, beginning with large departments - Park and Recreation. Ms. Lyons asked if the next step is to eventually get to the Airport. Mr. Ramos briefly discussed how services are accessed, after speaking with the Airport Director, Mr. Dave Hamrick. Item 19 - Ms. Lyons asked for staff follow-up on: • Contract with CCISD regarding the Natatorium floor, and • About any ideas on addressing the facility issues? At Mr. Ramos request, Mr. Harney agreed to check into the contract matter. Mr. Quittner indicated that CCISD was responsible for this issue. There was general discussion. Ms. Lyons indicated however, that the issue has been raised publicly that two absent Committee members have personally experienced slippery floors with children with disabilities. Item 20 - Mr. Ramos indicated they were moved up. Item 21 - Mr. Ramos indicated that the date of 10/30/02 was changed and so that moved the dates. We should have everything ready for the Council by the time they go before the Council and have the CIP approved. Then we'll just add our (from your recommendations) information. Looking at first week in January to go back before the Council. It will go back as an Agenda item. Item 22 - Ms. Butler indicated Engineering Services is incorporating that information, but we haven't seen the final document yet. Ms. Lyons mentioned glancing at some information from Ms. Rose, but didn't recall seeing it. Mr. Ramos indicated he would get her a book. 5 Item 23 - Ms. Lyons asked if this has been taken into consideration. Mr. Ramos indicated yes, that Ms. Teniente of Engineering Services agreed to do so. Ms. Butler indicated Engineering was working with the GIS team. Ms. Lyons asked if there was something better than GIS? Mr. Kendall indicated he hadn't heard of anything. Ms. Lyons indicated she would look into it. Item 24 - Mr. Ramos indicated that was from the original $205 million to the $125 million. Ms. Butler indicated so that the numbers have, but any other changes that come out of the CIP, along any that come out of the Planning Commission or Council regarding the CIP. Item 25 - Ms. Butler indicated this item is from the October meeting, where the new format of the CIP had been initially presented before this Committee. In the itemized listing of various types of dollars - paving, utilities, street, etc., Engineering is going to have to new category for ADA. Further, the breaking out the ADA costs for tracking the Transition Plan projects would just be on reconstruction and retrofitting. The breakout would not be on the new projects (as recommended by the Committee). Ms. Lyons inquired about the City's staff upper management response to this recommendation. Ms. Lyons asked if this means that they agreed to it? Mr. Ramos indicated he did not know, but he would ask. (Matter being handled through Engineering Director.) Ms. Lyons indicated that the Committee did the best they could do by the recommendation that was made and passed along. Item 26 - General discussion ensued clarifying status. Mr. Ramos indicated he would get clarification regarding the priority of the downtown area within the CIP. Ms. Butler mentioned that the ultimate decision would be after the Planning Commission, when the item goes to the City Council. More discussion about status language: • What completion means - concerns being addressed or completed in order; • working on means you don't need to keep pushing on or need to educate someone about it. • Don't take your finger off that issue. Ms. Butler agreed to change the status to "working", to monitor throughout the CIP process. Ms. Lyons began by asking Ms. Padilla if these recommendations were representative of her e-mail? 6 Item 1 - Ms. Butler indicated that this is the item under the Financial Services Department, utilizing various forms and standard items. This includes utility billing, payables, receivables, vendors, and that staff have already received requests for accommodation for large print or Braille. Ms. Padilla asked about audio aids? Ms. Butler added to have their general information on tape. Mr. Ramos indicated that it would be in our best interest to make it in the form of a policy or operating procedure addressed to all department heads. Mr. Ramos mentioned plans to have staff training with Ron Sparks, Texas Commission for the Blind. Ms. Padilla mentioned a better term to use, would be "alternative format". In her profession, when talking about an audio visual, it refers to items such as flashing smoke detector, flashing fire alarms. Mr. Ramos agreed that term "alternate format" was the key. Then Ms. Padilla raised an issue that was not specifically listed on the matrix, pertaining to equipment itemized for the Gas Department (TDD equipment) referring back to Appendix A of the Transition Plan. She expressed that many people still call through Relay Texas. Also TDD calls for having to monitor training and how to use the equipment. Mr. Ramos appreciated this important feedback. Ms. Padilla suggested placing Relay Texas verbiage on City publications for more awareness. General discussion ensued. Ms. Padilla appreciated the staffs awareness of the need, but Relay Texas vs. TDD may be a more cost-effective manner. Mr. Ramos indicated that he would follow that lead. Item 2 - General discussion clarifying this item. Item 3 - Ms. Padilla questioned the types of uses for these monies by the Recreation Centers. Staff is concerned about requests for accommodations coming in, where there are no dollars budgeted. This is a place to turn - funding is available. This is labeled citywide because the requests could come from any department. General discussion ensued. Mr. Ramos mentioned contract with Area Council for the Deaf and asked Ms. Padilla to contact Purchasing about completing the Vendor Packet information. He will revisit that issue. Ms. Lyons also mentioned that the other half of that is do we have a contract with the Texas Commission for the Blind. Mr. Ramos indicated that Mr. Ron Sparks had mentioned it. 7 Item 4 - Continue to schedule another special meeting for next week. Ms. Lyons asked the Committee members if there were any other items to discuss before next week. Ms. Fallwell-Stover might have something. Ms. Lyons indicated that there was one other item she had noted but not yet discussed on the Library "Assessable Resource Center". Mr. Ramos indicated already meeting with the Library staff. He suggested that the Committee have its next regular meeting at the Library and to also tour the facility. Ms. Lyons asked Mr. Ramos to just let the Committee know when the meeting was set. Ms. Lyons indicated that today's discussion items were all the things that were reflective in the last two meetings. Ms. Lyons asked if there were anymore concerns? Ms. Lyons had one concern - not reflected in the minutes - that this committee set up our purpose on what we agree to. The City Council believes and trusts that we are informing them or at least expressing our opinion, and our opinion is being taken into consideration. Ms. Lyons stated that this committee through special meeting or any other meetings hasn't said, "Yes, this facility" or "this $600,000 on facilities", we're in agreement of, or we passed a resolution on, or anything. Ms. Lyons expressed concern on timing for changes on facilities and possibly being to late in still having some questions. Also, Ms. Lyons stated that according to Ms. Rose, she was under the impression that when we agreed to the streets and curb cuts that it was a blanket endorsement at the regular meeting. Not only the power to limit what would be done, but also the years when it would be done and it is reflected in the CIP. Ms. Lyons was concerned about this misrepresentation to her and others. Ms. Lyons also had concerns about the $600,000 for the facilities (Appendix A) as too costly and is concerned about the support of this amount from CDBG. Ms. Lyons further indicated that the Committee did not have an opportunity to question the buildings (Appendix A), assuming that these figures never can be changed. Mr. Ramos indicated those figures were rounded off at a suggestion of Engineering Services, but agreed to come back with whatever concern the Committee has and revisit them at the next meeting. Mr. Ramos asked Ms. Lyons if her main concern was the actual cost associated with things. Ms. Lyons indicated she believes the facility costs to be inflated at least 20%. Since CDBG is the funding source, others could use savings from the 8 facilities list if it were reduced. Ms. Lyons also noted the reduced curb ramp estimate from $205 million to $125 million per the Committee's insight. Mr. Ramos indicated that we can include that in the next meeting. He indicated that he could have Mr. Escobar and Mr. Boggs at the meeting. Further general discussion. Mr. Ramos asked if the Committee had any notes or highlighted areas on the facilities list, if they could let him know. Ms. Lyons indicated that the Committee could just do this before the next meeting. Mr. Ramos indicated he would also include Mr. Art Sosa, as he is an Architect. Mr. Kendall briefly discussed the handout he distributed pertaining to the Building Code Ordinance change. Ms. Lyons asked if there were any other questions or concerns or requests for the Transition Plan? Mr. Ramos indicated that he believes the CIP goes to the Council the first week in December, so we would need to meet next week. Ms. Lyons asked if the information could still be changed. There was discussion about the ability to change items. Mr. Ramos will ask Mr. Escobar. There was further general discussion about the last public meeting on the CIP by the Planning Commission, as it continues from the Public Hearing of last week. Mr. Ramos will call Ms. Lyons after speaking to Mr. Escobar. Ms. Lyons asked Mr. Ramos to have the Transition Plan on the Agenda for discussion and possible action. Meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Min tes Approved: g/6442 rys ls, Cone Chairperson Date 9