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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 08/04/2004 ilr V • COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Summary Minutes for August 4, 2004 — Page 1 of 7 Meeting called to order by the Vice Chair, Ms. Toni Padilla A. Ro!! Cal!: Quorum Meeting at Roil call. Present at Meeting: Ms. Padilla, Mr. Lyons, Mr. Saenz, Mr. Soza, Mr. Torno and Mr. Watson. Mr. Flores also arrived. Staff in attendance: Ms. Butler, Mr. Sosa, Mr. Harney and Mr. Ondrias. Absent Committee members: Ms. Fallwell-Stover, Mr. Sayles Approval of Minutes: Upon review of the minutes by the Committee, Motion was made by Mr. Soza to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Mr. Saenz. A vote was taken the Motion was passed. III Presentation and Public Comments — IV Chair's Report by Ms. Toni Padilla, who reported that Ms. Fallwell-Stover was to address the City Council regarding the budget hearing for the staff position of a compliance officer in Human Relations. She received a call from David Ramos after he met with Ms. Margie Rose, that staff could be realigned to handle the load; that the work could be accomplished without adding both staff positions that were initially requested. Therefore Ms. Fallwell-Stover was told that she did not have to appear before the City Council. The position of Staff Assistant was added but the position of Compliance officer was removed. Ms. Fallwell-Stover attended the PRAC meeting in July and spoke to them about the Committee's plans for a position statement about inclusive recreation. Those Committee members were invited to offer any input and an invitation was extended to attend our meetings. We are to inform them when a position statement is ready and seek their endorsement. Ms. Fallwell-Stover also attended the July Human Relations Commission Meeting and invited them to attend our training sessions that month. Thank your to Mr. Torno for brining Mr. Lewis, President of Architecture Association. The Governor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities was involved and representatives were there. There was a good turnout and good publicity for the Access for All. Ms. Fallwell-Stover prepared a letter to SMG Corporation and would like our approval on this prior to sending it to Mr. Marc Soliz, regarding how they intend to train their staff on working with people with disabilities. (Letter read by Committee) Motion made by Crystal Lyons, with a Second by Eloy Soza, to approve this letter. The Motion passed by vote. ACCB Spirit of ADA Awards: Crystal Lyons gave the Committee an update. At the luncheon, there were more than 110 people in attendance with the Mayor, SCANNED 400 architects, and individuals with disabilities. Good program; great recipients, great presenters and very easy to do on annual basis. May be hard to find such great winners — Dick Johnson was the winner of the Karen Moody Award. Linda did a fabulous presentation on Karen's Contribution to this community and she will condense it to put in our historical record. Also, 'we may need a big room next year at the Ortiz Center. Ms. Padilla said it was very uplifting. Program was nice, good food, energy in the room was positive — encouraged and uplifted. Crystal did so much work; needs to be commended for her efforts. V. Committee Reports: A. Outreach/Awareness Sub-Committee 1. Power Beach Chair Program, as "...world's only opportunity to surf the sand is ready and waiting when you get to San Diego". The Committee discussed how these was a great idea and maybe copy for Magee Beach for persons with disabilities, after they build the ramps for accessibility. There was also discussion about funding and how San Diego, CA did it. The Committee is expecting a mailed copy of San Diego's 12th edition of the Disability Accessible Guide. The Committee will also see what is accessible here in Corpus Christi. B. Legislative 1. Non-Discrimination Ordinance. Update by Wanese Butler. The presentation that was scheduled for July 20th has been postponed to August 31st. That will include statistics for the last two months. As discussed early Human Relations will be interviewing for the staff Assistant position and working to incorporate the responsibilities of the ordinance into the staff we have now. There will be more discussion on staffing issues during the Administrative report. We want to move forward as much as possible. We do have internal City and external candidates. On qualifications as asked by Crystal Lyons, Wanese Butler let the Committee know that besides clerical and knowledge of software word- processing and spreadsheets, they are also looking to see if the candidates have any familiarity with civil rights, human rights, basis of the protected classes, working experience or personal experience of working with people with disabilities, any familiarity with ADA, accessibility issues, compliance either here at the city or with previous employment, through other agencies or volunteerism. In receiving the referrals from the Human Resources department, those interviewed should meet the minimum requirements and essential functions of the staff assistant position. Hopefully through the interview process with the candidates we have, we will be able to know what familiarity and experience they have in dealing with and accessibility issues and working with intake to assist our investigators. Aside from that, it will be the clerical work — setting up files, and tracking logs and such. It is one of the cities existing positions in our compensation studies. We are tailoring this assistant as much as we can 2 • 400 to assist with accessibility issues. We will also send to the accessible training. 2. Title I Employment Comprehensive Self- Evaluation — Human Resources Department. L,'anaca Buller reported that the Human Resources department let her know the consultant group is close to preparing a preliminary report later this month. One thing that they will prepare to do is to come before the Committee and make a presentation, which will be either at the September or October meeting. The consultant's report will be submitted to City for management review. For the presentation and once we take a look the report, If the information is lengthy then we can forward prior to the presentation meeting for the Committee to review. VI. Old Business. A. Accessible Parking Brochure. Crystal Lyons let the Committee know that information that June Shultz had worked on was then put into the brochure in a readable format. The Committee talked about moving forward with this since all information is the same, and we can modify as we go. Suggestions of uses: by community as a guide for business owners and building owners or persons in charge of parking lots. Tyler and Laredo have formats to tell owners how many parking spaces through a formula. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) document on striping can be referenced. The Committee was encouraged to keep these brochures on hand when you find a place that is non-compliant, and give to managers or owners. Let's put positive information in brochure and give people the rules: that if they have a placard they cannot park in the striped areas; call the CCPD if someone has parked in the accessible parking space; discuss fines for parking illegally. Suggestion: put a date (revised date) on the brochure since the Committee may make changes or updates. Mr. Eloy Soza Moved to accept this brochure, Seconded by Robert Flores. Some discussion occurred on printing, possibly yellow or bright color (high contrast); Policies of maintaining the markings of space; some spaces have faintly visible emblems of spaces. There are to be signs posted for each space, the emblems in the space are not really required. Issue if the parking lot had been refigured or re-striped the parking lot and that space is no longer designated accessible. Sign is only marking for designated parking. No longer required to keep the paint. City is going to print brochures. Distribute among Committee members and put in specific places and monitor its distribution. Printing of 1,000 copies was recommended. The vote was taken to adopt the brochure document and the motion passed. B. Recreation Inclusion statement. There will be a subcommittee meeting. The date is August 20th at 4:00 p.m. set by Linda Fallwell-Stover, with mention to PRAC. This meeting will be in the Human Relations Conference Room. Ms. Toni Padilla will also mention at the Human Relations Commission meeting to become involved from the very beginning for all that are interested. 3 V � C. Very Special Arts/Beyond Access Blue. Three-day training was the cultural and access training. On the evaluation form, the question was asked. "Did you receive what you had hoped for from the training? And were your expectations met?" Responses: "Yes" = 8, "No" = 0, "Somewhat"=1. Out of the nine. "would VVU recommend this. training to Viii ers?' ache answer was "Yes". Comments from questions "did you received what you hoped to?" Here are the comments: more successful on assisting Committees to serve community, broaden my interest, did not know what to expect, more than expected, good information on cultural access, very informative, hoped to see more arts organization attending, wanted access websites. Could not bring person from mobility to do afternoon on accessible websites but filled the afternoon with other interesting things. Under "what was the most important thing you feel you learned today?" many resources are available to assist us to meet the needs of all persons, devices in assisting with your business, existence with cultural access efforts, info on ADA, access to all, "if you build it, they will come", accessible arts programs can be an important tool for achieving inclusion in the community, and city parks & recreation staff (three in attendance) are very motivated to do the right thing, by way of accessibility inclusion of persons with disabilities, and one is interested in training for audio describers. What suggestions do you have for improvements of future trainings? More visual, none, more case studies presented expanded info on website access. More targeted outreach to bring in community partners, cultural arts organization. I feel training was just great, keep doing. I think our intended audience did not materialize, having some of key people from city, and some from arts & cultural commission, and some of the people that were there, I think they were very excited and were learning things because they stayed all day and that if we do it again, they are the ones that will be able to get us the audience we need because they will be able to share the value. Title Ill Training - Not very well attended; total of 6 signed in — 10 had registered. However, those of us there, learned about Title Ill. The Title II training in the afternoon had a better audience, total of 20 in attendance, with the majority from the city - ADA coordinators. Aaron McCullough later emailed such cool thing that we are the only city that he has been able to present to where there was a group of departmental ADA coordinators. Good positive thing for Corpus Christi. He opened up more questions than answers but it makes for more training; representatives from the various agencies like Del Mar and the RTA. Had there been more time for questions and answers, we could have gotten to a variety of discussion. He cut some of the basic stuff out, and went right into accommodations, successful routes, assuming they had a level of understanding. If this Committee wants to do this again in the future, it should not be the in the summer due to so many people on vacations, lots of regret notices from the arts & cultural training. Maybe select a more strategic time of year we can do some of this training again and have those attended to help spread the word. Special thanks to Aaron. 4 V D. Veterans with Disabilities. Mr. Brian Watson tried to reach John Taylor with the Texas Paralyzed Veterans, but unable to contact. E. Barbara Jordan Awards Update. (More of financial, exact profit made.) The unconfirmed number is $2,129. Need to double check to make sure. Wanese Bu ter shared with the Committee that she received a rail from the Governor's Committee in regards with performance records and statistical information on their outreach and contacts in various communities. We are going to assist them in estimating how many people contacted, given the media releases, invitations to the awards event and also the SCOOP Training last month. Follow-up on Park and Recreation printed materials - David Ondrias had received an email from Wanese Butler on reviewing information for Committee meeting about inclusive. In last month's packets of printed materials from Park and Recreation, the Committee asked for interpretation on a couple of phrases that were mentioned for Latchkey on what a child must be able to do; self mobilize without staff assistance. David Ondrias will have this clarified with Linda Hodge. Crystal Lyons mentioned the Committee has been told that the remark on the Latchkey brochure is illegal and so we need to deal with this before next month. People are already being registered for Latchkey right now. So if legal does not believe it to be illegal they need to tell us but we have been told by Aaron that was illegal. Second, what is Park and Recreation doing to accommodate all people is there a break out of these statistics? Genuine legal issue here, and is this a policy or just on the brochure? David Ondrias let the Committee know that he was sorry he did not have the answers yet but that he would get with staff for a response to the questions. He also mentioned that Margie Rose who had been the Acting Director of Parks and Recreation is on vacation, but the new Director, Sally Gavlik, will start next week. Brian Watson reported on Scholarship Request Form for the YWCA, getting assistance for discount on membership fees, or a full scholarship, and doing some volunteering. This is a nice place to go to, work out, meet new friends and it has memberships for families. All considerations will be made, attach medical & financial statements. The Committee talked about suggestions to distribute them, like sending to all agencies in the disability resource guide. VII. New Business A. Committee's Fall Retreat. Talk about date, discussion date after new budget. Suggestion in October, no preference on date and day. Creative discussion. Time to set aside, identify initiatives, revisit mission and goals, any special projects including planning access to all trainings. October Employment Disability Awareness Month — too late to plan 2004 but plan big for 2005. Discussion for Mayor's office to do possible proclamation this year as well as Governor's office. Posters distributed regarding Disability Employee Awareness Month in October. Awards presentation for next year to local employers. Models from other cities to incorporate for our award presentation. Suggested dates? Open to Saturday if necessary. Half days? Full 5 fir days? Wednesday September 15`h from 12 — 4 p.m. Alternative date Wednesday September 22nd. Location: Garden Senior Center, Texas State Aquarium, Museum, Library, City of Corpus Christi. Location to be determined by staff. B. Disabilities Employment Awareness Month. information to Mayor's office regarding proclamation of this event and awaiting information from Governor Perry's office. C. Other: Brian Watson let the Committee know that he spoke with Mayor Neal on Saturday over Mr. Watson's concern about a citizen's, Mr. Alonzo, behavior at meetings, training sessions, and starting arguments/fights. Suggested of declaring him Persona non-grata, Mayor Neal states to put up with it — he may bounce back with something worse. This was at the Access training at the Ortiz Center. At City Council meetings, there is a posse — if you are going to speak at these sessions as a member of the public, you must respect the character and dignity of the people you are addressing. D. Other: Brian Watson also mentioned that he spoke to Wally Whitworth, recently retired from MHMR, and his replacement Diane Staley, in looking for major donors to build new facilities. Benefits to have access to that kind of facility. The building on Brownlee is 60-70 years old and in good shape, but that a better clinic is needed. He also talked about a letter writing campaign to seek major players [contributors], and asked for suggestions on whom to send letters these letters. VIII. Administrator's Report by Wanese Butler - EEOC contract is being finalized for additional year. There has been a slow down with one investigator out, and another investigator retired. Trying to fill position the retired position through job advertisement. Once at full staff, the numbers should be higher. Wanese Butler referred to the handout of the monthly statistics and did an overview of this report by category on case resolutions and intakes, which are formal complaints. Those seven are going to the district office in San Antonio because we do not have jurisdiction, as in cases of being outside the city of limits or on other municipalities. Wanese Butler also let the Committee know about the additional phase of automatic trash can service and more citizens are getting the new cans. If unable to move the larger receptacle due to disability, then the citizens are to call our office. An accommodation may also be the use of smaller trashcans that these trucks can pick up. Questions regarding if the city has money to help buy material. Neighborhood services have some program dollars for this service. Other sources: Dik Johnson, Boy Scouts, and various churches. On Sensitivity Training, the classes, monthly broader Customer Service Class for City Employees, having one on Friday August e. Low registration during summer. Working with Del Mar instructor — standing segment called Watching your words" before she gets into the broad discussion, the instructor allows Human Relations to come in and talk about First Language, diversity. Training is 6 • in the basement. Del Mar comes here. It is an all day class. Dealing with various customer service issues, special segment, respecting customers, not being offensive and using appropriate language. On ADA related inquiries, the total was incomplete total because have not received all totals. Question on is there a standard form? Yes, it is also on the department's website for anyone who feels they are being treated different or discriminate against, and are in the protective classes. There is also the new fair housing education program at the Oveal Williams Senior Center through a grant that Accessible Communities Inc was able to secure. It is a one-year grant program. Persons can file complaints there also, but they do not conduct investigations. They do outreach and take complaints. Whether in our jurisdiction and looks like our office will investigate or out of our jurisdiction some one has issues in another community, we will refer to the appropriate agency in that jurisdiction. Other discussion on the Caller-Times article dated July 16, 2004 with surfing classes for persons with visual impairments; Bond 2004 has several dates for public input. Committee has interest. Voters approve funding for program projects. Follow-up on update or conclusion from Engineering Services on previous presentation on project cost changes and variances were discussed, and asked to see how it fits into the Bond 2004 program. Did all receive the Email about David Ramos retiring? If any of you have ongoing projects or pending items, Wanese Butler said she will assist. IX. Committee Concerns. Request for agenda items. A. Gone to National Seashore office regarding about passes for disabled people. Have information about Texas Parks & Wildlife department. Possible tie in with accessibility guide. B. Also feedback about chair ramps for accessible to Magee Beach; access to beach. It would be a temporary structure. Follow-up with Engineers Services. No options yet for project. May consider in the short term to gain access to Magee Beach. It is a work in project at this time. C. Discussion regarding fundraisers. What can we do? Ideas — looking at other fund raisers. To be discussed at retreat. Check with legal for direction. No announcements. Move to adjourn by Toni Padilla, seconded in unison. These Minutes were approved on: Presided by: Date Ms. Toni Padilla, Vice Chair 7