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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 01/04/2006 it N CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI-COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Summary Minutes for the Meeting of January 4, 2006 1. The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 3:36 PM A. Roll call: Present Committee Members: Linda Fallwell-Stover, Toni Padilla, Abel Alonzo, James Duerr, Mary Saenz, Brian Watson, Eloy Soza Post Roll Call Arrivals: David Walker, Roberto Flores Absent Committee Members: none Present Staff Members: Leon Bazar, Wanese Butler, Linda Hodge for Sally Gavlik, April Moffett, Neomi Ramirez for Alonzo Garza, Gary Smith for Joseph Hamey, Angel Escobar, Lupe Rocha, Jerry Shoemaker Public: Jeri Morey, Crystal Lyons, Judy Telge B. Excused Absences: Eloy Soza: MOTION: Toni Padilla moved to excuse Eloy Soza's December absence with a second by Abel Alonzo. The motion passed. Leon Bazar introduced Mr. Gary Smith as the new staff member from legal. Mr. Bazar also stated that Mr. Smith could be the new legal advisor for the Committee for Persons with Disabilities but that final decision has not been made. Mr. Joseph Harney has been reassigned to another department. The Chairperson welcomed Mr. Smith. 2. Approval of Minutes: Meeting of December 7, 2005 There was discussion among the Committee members regarding the correction on page five of the minutes to reflect the correct spelling of Brian Watson's name. MOTION: Eloy Son moved to approve the minutes as amended with a second by Toni Padilla. The motion passed. 3. Presentation and Public Comments: Public Comments: • Mr. Ira Black—(He was not present at meeting.) • Public Comments/Presentations: Ms. Jeri Morey—Local Architect Jeri Morey informed the Committee that she has been involved with building code developments at the national level for a few years and that the development staff of the City of Corpus Christi has voiced to her that they would like to adopt the existing international building code for 2006 along with SCANNED CFPWD010406 I other 2006 codes, and do this without local amendments. Part of the code that the development staff members have passed, she feels is unsafe for people with disabilities as related to housing codes and providing inadequate access. Ms. Morey informed the Committee that in order to remodel the second floor of an existing building in the downtown area, a person does not have to put in any access at all because the fair housing rules state that if a person uses an old building, the building code that e>dsted at the time that building was originally built may be used. Some of the buildings are as old as 1937. In terms of fire safety, there are not requirements for sprinkler systems and fire alarms. Jeri Morey asked the Committee to consider forming a subcommittee so that this Committee can have a say in this matter. Ms. Morey stated that this issue in not on the City Council's agenda so that action can be taken; however, Alonzo Garza, Building Official did inform her at the meeting that she and Barbara Bailey attended that he would like for this issue without the local amendments included to be placed on the City Council's March agenda. Jeri Morey informed the Committee that the code in question is Section 101.5 "The Exception" of the International Existing Building Codes for 2006. The code reads as follows: "The amendment intended to say... Subject to the approval of the code official, repairs and alterations comply with the laws in existence at the time the structure was originally built shall be considered in compliance with this code." However, in doing the last amendment as modified as a final action on the agenda, the°Subject to the approval to the code official"was omitted. The code official and the fire marshal do have authority to add things however, Ms. Morey was not hopeful that that action would happen. The Chairperson stated that she would like to see the 2006 code book before its adoption and before any action is taken by the City Council. Jeri Morey stated that she would give a copies of the documentation that she has to Leon Bazar so that he may distributed the information to the Committee members. Presentation: 4. Chairperson's Report: (Discussion, with possible action): • Performance Venues: Toni Padilla volunteered to be the Chairperson of this new subcommittee. She informed the Committee that she would contact Robert Flores and inquire if he would like to be apart of this new subcommittee • American Bank Center—Parking Lot 5 (ADA parking) The Chairperson issued documentation on the new parking lot that was received from Russ Meyers to the Committee members. [3:47 PM Neomi Ramirez for Alonzo Garza arrived] CFPWD 0104116 2 • Emergency Planning The Chairperson informed the Committee that she has received information from the Govemers Office regarding Homeland Security and Responsive Emergency Plans. She will give a detailed report at next month's meeting. 5. Subcommittee Reports: (Discussion, with possible action): A. ADA Title I I Employment Comprehensive: Toni Padilla Toni Padilla reported that she was unsuccessful at reaching Ruthie Caraway; therefore, no report was available. B. Engineering Subcommittee: Angel Escobar(Handouts) Angel Escobar of the City's Engineering Department provided maps and then gave the Committee a summary of the ongoing projects regarding the Transitions Plan. He also stated that the goal of this review was to establish good communications. He informed the Committee that all of the reconstruction that is done here in the City of Corpus Christi has ADA components in them. The Engineering staff requested the Committee's guidance and assistance to the Engineering Department in prioritizing the projects. Angel Escobar informed the Committee according to the Transition Plan, the prioritization should be as follows: 1. Shoreline Blvd. 2. Water Street 3. Chaparral 4. Mesquite Street 5. Broadway [3:56 PM Robert Flores and David Walker arrived] Mr. Escobar answered questions and informed the Committee members that when the City of Corpus Christi undergoes a new major construction project, ADA compliances are automatically included and the inclusion is not contingent on Bonds. He also stated that if the MPO does not kick in its 80 percent(RTA, Bond, or otherwise), then the City will use 100 percent of the monies it has allocated for that project; however, the City feels that it is important to utilize the 80 percent of State funding and match that with the 20 percent the City's funding. He also informed the Committee that when the transition plan was developed, the prior Human Relations Director, David Ramos ensured that ADA compliances were incorporated into the current transition plan. Mr. Escobar informed the Committee that the overall goal of the Engineering Department is to concentrate where the most usage is in accordance to the Committee for Persons with Disabilities prioritization provided to the Engineering Staff. After prioritization of the projects is done, then the Engineering staff would request money from the City Council. He then informed the Committee that the Engineering Staff is in the process of trying to expand the 4 millions dollars from the City Bonds into a much larger CFPWD 016406 3 amount by utilizing federal matching funds. Referring to the maps provided, Mr. Escobar further informed the Committee that Zone A, B, C, D (from the chart given) is contingent on other funding and if other funding is not available then Engineering Services will come back to this Committee and ask for guidance. Engineering Services would prefer to not have gaps in the project work that is being done and therefore start at one end and finish at the other. He also stated that if there were zero dollars from the MPO, then the work would stop at the City's four million Bond dollars. Mr. Escobar requested that Committee members present give the Engineering Department input and recommendations on the upcoming downtown curb ramp project. He asked the Committee members do they want to change the direction of the work on the downtown project to flow from north to south and then from south to north. He also informed that the Committee that the funding for this project did not include curb ramps and improvements for access east and west. The Chairperson commented that it was not acceptable to improve access for only north and south. She then suggested that the downtown area essentially remains inaccessible without the ability to travel east and west as well as north and south. Crystal Lyons commented that it was unfair to have the committee do so in this one meeting. James Duerr asked if the monies allocated have to be used in the downtown area. He voiced that he liked the idea of having the downtown area accessible but those monies could be best used in other areas of town and suggested that the community may be poorly served by the existing plan and further suggested that the Committee look at the needs beyond the downtown area. Mr. Escobar then stated that if the City uses the MPO funding, at 80 percent, then the City must comply with TX DOT regulations that state if there is a differential in the sidewalk, the sidewalk must be redone. Brian Watson also mentioned that according to the handout given to the Committee, the City's Engineering Department is creating curb cuts on undeveloped land. Mr. Escobar confirmed and also informed the Committee that it is possible that the curb cuts may have to be redone depending on the construction that will take place on that land. [The Chairperson recognized Crystal Lyons, Human Relations Commission Chairperson] Ms. Lyons stated that the previous Committee for Persons with Disabilities was told that there were the following that there would be a certain amount of dollars on an annual basis for individual request for curb ramps. If this were done on a yeariy basis, then the other areas of town would be addressed. CFPWD010406 4 4110 • She also commented the Committee for Persons with Disabilities needs to revisit the transition list. The Chairperson stated that there were two reasons why the prioritization work on the downtown area was done. 1. There are still residential facilities that are being utilized 2. Qualities of life issues for people with disabilities and providing access to places e.g. American Bank Center. The Chairperson further stated that this Committee is concerned about the needs of people. Mr. Escobar stated that the Engineering Department will be more than glad to meet with the Committee for Persons with Disabilities' Engineering Subcommittee to review the other areas of town with curb cut issues so that they may also be prioritized. Committee members also asked for more information on curb ramps only without sidewalk improvements. 6. Staff Reports / Comments: (Discussion, with possible action): Leon Bazar A. Non-Discrimination Ordinance: • The Human Relations Department has received over 700 ADA complaints. • Sixty percent of the Human Relations Departments time is being spent on accessibility issues. • Leon Bazar and Margie Rose, Assistant City Manager have met with some of the citizens that the complainant plains to represent. • The complainant, Mr. Ira Black, Jr. was invited to attend this meeting; however, he did not make this meeting as he wanted to make a presentation. B. Other Items: 1. Curb Ramp Projects — Individual curb Ramp Guidelines and Prioritization Recommendations: Previously addressed during Mr. Escobar's update. 2. Park and Recreation Outreach/Marketing Effort: Linda Hodge informed the Committee that the Parks and Recreation Staffs focus is fun and fitness and they are working on marketing and outreach for all persons, PSAs will also be given to the Committee at next month's meeting regarding Parks and Recreation's marketing and outreach efforts. She also informed the Committee that fun and fitness is the theme of this year's flyers. Toni Padilla requested that the Committee review the flyers before they go to printing for the public. CFPWD 010406 5 S V • Ms. Hodge informed the Committee that chair volleyball is one of the projects they are working on and that event will be held at the end of January 2006. 3. Development Services Key Projects— Initiatives Update: (handout) Neomi Ramirez stated that when there is new development, curb cuts are apart of their project and that the inspection process is being done throughout the City; however, it is not State mandated the these types of projects be registered with the Tx Department of Licensing and Regulations. She further informed the Committee that as of this year TDLR is not requiring developers to register for ADA compliance. Ms. Ramirez also reviewed with the Committee the handout she issued to the Committee members. The handout showed where developments are taking place throughout the City. 7. Old Business: Committee Member's Attendance The Chairperson stated that the process to apply for this Committee is to obtain get an application from the City Secretary's Office or via the City's website on the Internet. Judy Telge asked about the Committee having designated seats for the Accessibility Communities/Inc (Ad) members and the Coastal Bend Advisory Development (CBAD) class.. Toni Padilla also stated that the Committee for Persons with Disabilities did not set up the criteria and anyone is welcomed. 8. New Business: Mr. Brian Watson informed the Committee that he had an article regarding mental illness and that he would send the article the Human Relations staff assistant, April Moffett so that she may distribute it to Committee persons. 9. Committee Concerns / Request for Agenda Items: Agenda Items: • The Committee is requesting more information on the City's curb ramps from the Engineering Department. • The Committee would like to review the Parks and Recreation's flyer prior to printing for the public. • The Chairperson requested clarity on their term limits. • Toni Padilla and Robert Flores are requesting for the Corpus Christi Independent School District to be present at next month's meeting so that the issue of seating and their policies at graduation ceremonies can be addressed. • The Chairperson is requesting for the American Bank Center to be present at next month's meeting so that the issue of accessible seating can be further addressed. The Committee would like to review CFPWD010406 6 �► V were all the accessible seating is located in the American Bank Center. • The Committee would like to meet with Russ Meyers onsite regarding Lot 5 at the American Bank Center. Crystal Lyons requested to be present at that on-site visit. • Bowling Tournament—The Committee would like to know if there is a review process in place for ADA compliance while construction is taking place for the bowling tournament at the American Bank Center. • The Committee would like information on curb cuts without doing sidewalk improvements. Concerns: • The Committee members would like information that will be presented at the next month's meeting to be present in the packets that are mailed to them prior to the meeting so that they may have time to review the information that will be presented. 10.Announcements: Leon Bazar informed the Committee that there has been a resignation in the Human Relations Department of one Compliance Officer, and the department is in the preparing to fill this position. 11.Adjournment: MOTION: Toni Padilla moved to adjourn the meeting with a second by Eloy Soza. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:36 PM. Chairperson Date CFPWDOI0406 7