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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 01/08/2003 SUMMARY MINUTES MONTHLY MEETING COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES January 8, 2003 Committee Members - Present Committee Members -Absent Chairperson: Ms. Crystal Lyons Ms. Sandra Cabazos Vice Chair: Mr. Roberto M. Flores Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover Ms. Toni Padilla Ms. Mary J. Saenz Mr. Billy R. Sayles Mr. Eloy Soza Mr. Glen Ray Tonto CITY STAFF: (ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT) Building Official: Park & Recreation Director: Mr. Kendall /Mr. Art Sosa Mr. Dan Whitworth Human Relations Administrator: Legal Advisor: Mr. L. David Ramos, Director Mr. Joseph Harney Human Relations Analyst: Other City Staff Present: Wanese Taylor Butler Ms. Margie Rose, ACM Human Relations Management Assistant: Mr. Angel Escobar Ms. June Shultz - A Mr. Andrew Quittner CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Lyons ATTENDANCE — Roll Call — Crystal Lyons — P; Robert Flores — P (in late); Sandra Cabazos — A; Linda Fallwell-Stover — P; Toni Padilla — P; Mary Saenz — P; Billy Sayles — P; Eloy Soza — P (in late); Ray Tomo — P (in late). City Staff: Mr. Kendall / Mr. Sosa -P; Mr. Whitworth - P; Joseph Harney - P; David Ramos - P; Wanese Butler- P; June Shultz - A. We had a quorum. SCANNED Revised:2-17-03 EXCUSED ABSENCES: Absences to be excused - Sandra Cabazos was absent and still needs to sign form. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Monthly Minutes from December 4, 2002 Meeting - The Chair requested a correction to section pertaining to Legislative Updates - Page 3, the first paragraph, where references ADA Non-Discrimination Ordinance - strike ADA. Ms. Fallwell-Stover made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected, seconded by Mr. Sayles. Vote was taken and the motion passed. PRESENTATIONS /PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Members from the public - Abel Alonzo provided public comments encouraging the Committee not to be deterred about economic conditions of the community and about being able to move forward by working together in addressing the needs of persons with disabilities. Mr. Son arrived. CHAIR'S REPORT: Ms. Lyons discussed the purpose of the Committee, asked the members to review it again and we should have this enlarged for future reference and as a reminder. Ms. Lyons provided Census statistical information on Nueces County and Corpus Christi. Important information to keep in mind when addressing our purpose. Some general discussion ensued. Ms. Lyons encouraged sharing the information. COMMITTEE REPORTS: (Discussion, with possible action.) Outreach/Awareness Sub-committee: No report. Mr. Flores arrived. Legislative Updates: Non-Discrimination Ordinance Final Draft. Copies of the proposed ordinance draft were provided. However, upon review, there were numerous items that members felt were important as they were originally included, utilizing the City of Austin's Model for the ordinance. We added at the end, language prohibiting retaliation and communication (Page 3 of the draft). Anything in blue text are things the special sub- committee felt were critical to be in the Ordinance; anything in the green text are things that the staff proposed. Typically, the items in blue were already in the ordinance. Ms. Fallwell-Stover wanted to ensure that the items in blue, they wanted to make sure that it covered any program or activity that was operated or contracted by the City, because if not specific, then we may have difficulty in making people understand what must be 2 addressed. We feel strongly the goal of the ordinance is to define non- discrimination for people with disabilities and it should be as inclusive of programs and activities and the community as we can make it. Mr. Soza indicated that we need to be proactive, rather than reactive. We need to make our City the showcase of Texas on disabilities issues, rather than Austin. Subcommittee members explained significance to body present. Discussion about results of two workshops with staff indicating that the latest draft document highlighted areas of differences between Subcommittee and staff. Discussion ensued with Ms. Lyons and Ms. Fallwell-Stover reiterating the significance of the committee-preferred language extracted from the Austin model. Angel Escobar arrived. Ms. Fallwell-Stover made a motion to leave in the blue text (the Committee preferred language) in the final document to be submitted by the Committee, this was seconded by Ms. Saenz. A vote was taken and the motion passed. There was more discussion about the significance. A second motion was made to leave other blue text in, as the Committee's preferred language in the final draft by Ms. Fallwell-Stover, seconded by Ms. Padilla - a vote was taken and the motion passed. Then discussion began, Ms. Fallwell-Stover made a motion on the resolution to support the adoption and enforcement of the non-discrimination ordinance. Discussion ensued, then Ms. Fallwell-Stover revised her initial motion for the committee to accept the draft resolution and final draft ordinance as agreed upon today and to send forward and work with ACM on how to proceed. Mr. Sayles seconded the motion. There was discussion that led to an amendment to incorporate language to include services, activities and programs as suggested by Ms. Padilla. Additional suggestion by Mr. Sayles was to cite current census data as part of support and justification within the resolution. Ms. Fallwell-Stover amended her motion, which was seconded by Mr. Sayles. A vote was taken and revised motion passed. OLD BUSINESS: (Discussion, with possible action.) 1. Building Code Update - the document would be coming out of Legal soon per Mr. Kendall. The Accessibility Section would be sent from Mr. Sosa to the ACM, who would then provide information to Mr. Ramos for Committee Member packets. 2. Regarding the Transition Plan - All members acknowledged receiving draft document. Mr. Ramos provided an overview. Due to the lateness 3 of the meeting, with another meeting scheduled, the Committee agreed to hold a Special Meeting for discussion and to finalize the Transition Plan final draft that would go to the City Council. The Special Meeting was set for January 15, 2003 at 3:30 p.m. Meeting location to be determined. Mr. Whitworth, Ms. Fallwell-Stover and Mr. Kendall left. 3. Accessible Parking Brochure: Ms. Lyons asked Mr. Flores to Chair a five member Ad Hoc Committee to discussion development of a brochure. The Chair also provided information materials. She asked Mr. Flores to include Dik Johnson and indicated that other members could be from outside the CFPWD. NEW BUSINESS: (Discussion, with possible action.) 1. Sweetheart Award Proposal - Presented by Chair. It was proposed that the CFPWD recognize City employees/Departments for their efforts/achievements in addressing issues for persons with disabilities. The proposal included presenting recipients with certificates and letters of appreciation. It was proposed that this occur annually in February. Ms. Lyons made a motion to institute the "Sweetheart Awards" in February to City Staff/Departments going beyond the expectations and assisting persons with disabilities to be fully integrated. The motion was seconded by Ms. Padilla. A vote was taken and the motion passed. The Chair made a second motion that this year's "Sweetheart Awards" be given to the Library Team (Special Grant) and Sgt. Walter Whatley of the CCPD (for efforts of enforcement regarding accessible parking). Mr. Sayles seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed. Discussion ensued about detail preparations: Certificate - Ms. Lyons; Letter - Ms. Padilla; Reception - Ms. Fallwell-Stover; Press Release - Mr. Ramos. Administrator's Report — December 2002 Information. Mr. Ramos proceeded to give an overview of the month of December ADA and EEOC statistical data and general information on housing and capacity building. Committee Concerns / Request For Agenda Items / Announcements: Mr. Ramos mentioned HCD wanted to make a presentation on the Consolidated Plan and asked the CFPWD if this could scheduled in February 2003. The CFPWD agreed to hear the presentation. Committee Concerns: Mr. Flores had a question on curb cuts. Discussion ensued. If he has a specific concern 4 asked to let the City ADA Coordinator know. The Chair mentioned a training opportunity - the CC Area Center for the Deaf are going to hold classes on conversational ASL (American Sign Language) six week classes Mondays 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m. The Chair and Mr. Soza mentioned a reminder on the Community connection conference in February 2003. Ms. Lyons and Mr. Soza mentioned planting the seeds of advocacy. Judy Telge provided public comments - the overall of this committee would help the community come a long way and she mentioned there was RTA funding available for creating community connections. Adjourn - meeting adjourned at 5:29 p.m. Mi tes Approved:, Al ry tal Lyons, C mittee Chairperson Date 5