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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 12/07/2005 11213 CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI-COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABIq)Sf4410 'S s� Summary Minutes for the Meeting of December 7, 2005 I. The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 3:36 FSA JAN 'AQ ts A. Roll call: N ItECENED gts Present Committee Members: CITY sof cEc , Linda Fallwell-Stover, Toni Padilla, Mary Saenz, Brian Wats• • CYC Post Roll Call Arrivals: %rarest p James Duerr, Roberto Flores Absent Committee Members: Abel Alonzo, Eloy Son, David Walker Present Staff Members: Leon Bazar, Wanese Butler, Linda Hodge, April Moffett, Neomi Ramirez for Alonzo Garza Public: none B. Excused Absences: none II. Approval of Minutes: Meeting of November 2, 2005 Motion: Tony Padilla moved to approve the minutes with a second by Brian Watson. The motion passed. III. Presentation and Public Comments: Public Comments: none Presentation: David Small-American Bank Center Seating Manifest Update (while viewing the American Bank Center via Internet) A box office assistant will be the person to receive the phone calls when a person calls the American Bank Center for accessible seating. The assistant will then pass the information to Mr. ViIlalon or to Mr. Small. Usually people come to the box office prior to an event to request accessible seating. Due to long lines at the box office, the American Bank Center Staff prefers for a person to come to the box office prior to the event to request accessible seating. However, the box office staff will accept phone calls for accessible seating request. Lack of available accessible seating has been one of the complaints that the American Bank Center has been faced with. Steps have been taken to resolve that problem. Mr. Small stated that the American Bank Center does not have procedures regarding assisting those needing accessible seating in writing. However, the entire staff has been trained on how to assistant those with accessibility needs. He also mentioned that there is a 72 hours cut off for requesting accessible seating. The Committee members voiced a need to better inform the public on how to request and obtain accessible seating. CFPWD 120705 SCANNED 160 'S They also stated there needs to be an easier way for people to secure sealing. David Small informed the Committee that he deals with people on a personal basis and no one has expressed that they have had difficulty in securing accessible seating. Mr. Small feels that because of the personal services given, the easiest way to secure accessible seating is to go to the box office. He also confirmed that fact that the web site does not reflect the correct number of accessible seating available and stated that the web site will be updated. The Committee members voiced an additional concern regarding Ticket Master and their offering different services regarding accessible seating at the Alamo Dome and the American Bank Center. David Small and Russ Meyers said that they would inquire with Ticket Master why the difference between the two centers exists. Mr. Small and Mr. Meyers informed the Committee that the American Bank Center does meet the one- percent of the line of site requirement regarded for accessible seating. The Committee members voiced their concern that one- percent on the sound low level, (line of site), is not enough seating. The Chairperson stated that this Committee is not requesting segregated seating. The Committee would like to ensure that there is enough accessible seating for those requesting accessible seating. The Committee members also asked David Small and Russ Meyers to speak on their policy regarding the sealing arrangements for the graduation ceremonies held at the American Bank Center. Mr. Small and Mr. Meyers stated that Corpus Christi Independent School District reserved a number of seats for those with disabilities. After much discussion among the Committee members, the Chairperson requested to have a member from the Corpus Christi Independent School Board at next month's meeting so the issue of accessible seating at the graduation ceremonies can be addressed. The Committee members also voiced their concern about the elevator having too many people in it and the escalator not being able to be utilized. Mr. Small stated that at the base of escalator there is a glass wall. The American Bank Center has on occasion turned the escalator off so that it does not become overcrowded and someone falls down the escalator into the glass wall at the bottom. The American Bank Center staff members have been working to eliminate that problem by placing an usher at the bottom of the escalator. There was further concern voiced by the Committee member regarding what knowledge of the ADA law the architects had when they presented the plans to the staff at the American Bank Center. The Committee members stated that a person should not have to be inconvenienced due to their disability. There was a suggestion from Committee members that the American Bank Center consider allowing CFPWD 120705 2 It 'S volunteers or ambassadors for the disabled to assist those who need assistance. Mr. Small and Mr. Meyers stated that if anyone has any issue while they are at the American Bank Center, please bring the issue to the attention of a supervisor. The American Bank Center staff members are sensitive to those who are disabled and they need to be informed if an issue arises. Russ Meyers—American Bank Center Parking Project Update Mr. Meyers stated that he attended the TDLR Accessibility Academy in Austin, Texas and due to the training he received, there will be some parking concerns the American Bank Center will be working on. On the southwest side of the center, there will be 20 additional accessible parking slots. The American Bank Center is trying to increase the number of accessible parking spaces. There will be 125 more parking slots for ADA needs. On one occasion 400 ADA car tags were counted. Those figure equaled 12 percent of the American Bank Center's parking; therefore, the American Bank Center is constructing a new lot titled lot 5. It will be across from Heritage Park. Mr. Meyers informed the Committee that he has traveled down the American Bank Centers path of travel while in a wheelchair just to see for himself what the experience is like. As a result of that travel, he and his staff are working on making improvements. Russ Meyers informed the Committee that ADA parking will not only be provided in parking lot 5 but also will continue to be provided in parking lot 3 as well as a couple of ADA parking spaces in other parking areas. With the use of golf carts, the American Bank Center also provides a shuttle services to those who need assistant getting from their car to the entrance of the building. Mr. Meyers further informed the Committee that parking lot 5 should be completed by December 24, 2005 and that he would send the plans for the parking to Leon Bazar so he could e-mail them to the Committee members. [4:51 PM Mr. David Small and Mr. Russ Meyers left] IV. Chairperson's Report: (Discussion, with possible action): • The Chairperson thanked the City's staff for November's reception honoring volunteers serving on City Boards and Committees. • The Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee met with Chief Hooks. The Subcommittee members agreed that the needs of the transportation disadvantaged need to be taken into consideration and that community education regarding evacuations are important. She was glad to see that there was a recommendation made for the City Council to review evacuation plans for the Assisted Nursing Homes annually. Another recommendation made was to request that the City Manager consider a city ordinance requiring the assisted living centers to give their plans of CFPWD 120105 3 IS/ nrlr evacuation to the city. The Chairperson also asked that this Committee help keep this issue alive. The Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee's next meeting will be December 13, 2005. (3:39 PM James Duerr arrived) (3:40 PM Naomi Ramirez arrived) V. Sub-Committee Reports:(Discussion, with possible action): none VI. Staff Reports / Comments (Discussion, with possible action): Leon Bazar A. None Discrimination Ordinance: There will be someone from the Engineering Department at next month's meeting. They will present the time lines to the Committee. B. ADA Title I Employment Comprehensive Self Evaluation—Human Resources: Leon Bazar Toni Padilla and Mary Saenz tried to set up a meeting with Emily Martinez and were unsuccessful. Mr. Bazar asked the Committee to keep in contact with Ruthie Caraway. C. Other Items: 1. Curb Ramp Projects—Individual curb Ramp Guidelines and Prioritization Recommendations: The Human Relations Department is working with Engineering Department on a time line. There will be someone from the Engineering Department to speak at the January meeting. • ADA Volunteer Parking Program: There needs to be a meeting with Ms. Rose and then a meeting before the City Council. CBDG Funds may be requested. Leon Bazar stated that when the Human Relations Department broadcasts this program to the public, the Committee needs to be involved. The Chairperson stated that this was an initiative this Committee could not bring to occurrence; however, the Committee does want to be informed • Aaron McCullough met with the Human Relations Department and City Staff to conduct internal training and technical assistance. While he was here, he toured some of the areas in the City were the City has received grievances on, and he toured City Hall and made recommendations regarding accessibility. • The Human Relations Department has received a total of 666 grievances, to date, from Mr. Black. Mr. Bazar asked the Committee to extend an invitation to Mr. Black to attend CFPWD 120705 4 one the Committee for Persons with Disabilities meetings. The Chairperson then stated that the Committee will be willing to extend an invitation to Mr. Black. Mr. Bazar asked for a subcommittee to be formed to assist with reviewing the prioritization of Engineering projects and identifying priorities for individual curb ramp requests. The Chairperson also stated that this committee has not been involved in prioritizing in years. After more discussion about a new subcommittee, Mr. James Duerr and Ms. Mary Saenz agreed to assist the Human Relations Department with reviewing the prioritization process and making recommendations. 2. Park and Recreation OutreachlMarketing Effort: Linda Hodge standing in for Sally Gavlik • Parks and Recreation did receive a list of park grievances from Mr. Black and they are working on that list. • Parks and Recreation will be chairing a Volleyball Clinic. • The Parks and Recreation brochure will come out in the spring. • Some of the Parks and Recreation Staff members met with Aaron McCullough for internal ADA training and technical assistance. [4:54 PM Mr. Flores left] VII. Old Business: none VIII. New Business: Attendance(Ms. Padilla passed out a handout) The Chairperson requested that everyone be made aware of their standing regarding their absences. IX. Committee Concerns / Request for Agenda Items: • Heritage Park Homes— Neomi Ramirez for Alonzo Garza Ms. Ramirez stated that it shall not be mandatory for a historic building that has not been renovated to change to accommodate accessibility requirements. An accessible route does have to exist to the building and into the building without changing the structure. X. Announcements: Brian Watson will be applying for a position on the Governor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities. Xl. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:10 PM. CFPWD 120705 5