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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 08/02/2006 ;23456) CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI-COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DIMBILITIES 80 Summary Minutes for the Meeting of August 2, 2006 _7) I. The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 3:44 PM. L.fl. 707 A. Roll call: Present Committee Members: Linda Fallwell-Stover, David Walker, Abel Alonzo, Toni Padilla, y Soza, Brian Watson Post Roll Call Arrivals: None Absent Committee Members: James Duerr, Roberto Flores, Mary Saenz Present Staff Members: Leon Bazar, April Moffett, Sally Gavlik, Alonzo Garza, Guadalupe Rocha, Doyle Curtis, Shelley Franco Public: Daniel Pena, Ron Navarro, Harvey Salinas B. Excused Absences: The Chairperson informed the Committee that James Duerr did send an e- mail requesting that his absence for today be excused; however, he will be running for District IV on the City Council. The Chairperson stated that the Committee expresses its sincere appreciation for his dedication to this Committee. Leon Bazar informed the Committee that the Human Relations Department will ask the City Secretary's office to review the current applications for a replacement. II. Approval of Minutes: Meeting of July 5, 2006 MOTION: Eloy Soza moved to approve the minutes of July 5, 2006 as written with a second by Abel Alonzo. The motion passed. Special Called Meeting June 21, 2006 MOTION: David Walker moved to approve the minutes of the Special Called Meeting of June 21, 2006 with a second by Brian Watson. The motion passed. III. Presentation and Public Comments: Public Comments: Harvey Salinas thanked the Chairperson for the opportunity to speak to the Committee and expressed a desire to become part of the Committee. He informed the Committee that he has a disabled child and he has served on various accessibility boards throughout Texas. Presentation: Leon Bazar presented and introduced Shelley Franco to the Committee as the new Human Relations Department Compliance Officer. IV. Chairperson's Report: (Discussion, with possible action): SCANNED CFPWD 080206 *110 The Chairperson informed the Committee that the Barbara Jordan Awards Subcommittee met on July 21, 2006. The topics that were discussed were: 1. Corporate donations or local Government assistance or possible charge for fee attendance. 2. Local character of event. 3. The possibility of a luncheon and not a dinner. 4. Key community person to present awards. 5. The invitation list-consider Ray High School to do the printing of the invitations. 6. Obligations as the host Committee 7. The Solomon Ortiz Center as host facility 8. Media persons as awards presenters The Chairperson informed the Committee that this Committee did host the 2004 Barbara Jordan Awards and 200 people attended the event. She further informed the Committee that the past Chairperson for this event, Crystal Lyons, has agreed to assist. The Chairperson then informed the Committee that there would be a meeting tomorrow with Ms. Pat Pounds of the Governor's Committee for People with Disabilities. (Thursday, August 3, 2006 from 3:00—4:00 PM at the Omni Bayfront) She then invited Committee members to attend and bring their ideas with them. The Chairperson stated that Barbara Jordan was a wonderful person and a positive media representation for persons with disabilities. She also stated that this is a Governor's Committee Statewide award. Everyone's help is needed and will be appreciated. • New Web Site- Georgia Disability Advocate Consulting Group, Inc. is offering free online disability sensitivity training to Georgia citizens. The site is sponsored by the Governor's Council for Developmental Disabilities and Georgia Disability Advocate Consulting Group. The web site is www.disabilitlearningservices.com • Austin, Texas' Taxicab Companies and the Disabled —The Chairperson informed the Committee of an article that she read regarding ADA Discrimination and the taxicab companies in Austin, Texas. She further informed the Committee that she would provide the information to all Committee members. V. Subcommittee Reports: (Discussion, with possible action): A. ADA Title I / Employment Comprehensive: The Chairperson informed the Committee that she has met with Ms. Rose and there will be further discussion regarding Human Resources' representation on this board. B. Engineering Subcommittee - Lupe Rocha CFPWD 080206 2 'b tut Lupe Rocha distributed a map to the Committee members illustrating accessible paths of travel for the Hillcrest area of town. This area of town was identified as one of the low-mod income areas. During his presentation, Daniel Pena, Ron Navarro, Harvey Salinas of the Hillcrest Residence Association and Hillcrest NIP Program also voiced their concerns regarding the accessible paths of travel in the Hillcrest area of town. The route of travel will provide access to public transportation, grocery stores, medical facilities, polling places, etc. Lupe Rocha also informed the Committee of the number of ramps needed for the Hillcrest area of town and the estimated cost of this project. Leon Bazar also stated that abandoned property needs to be addressed and Code Enforcement has been contacted about those properties. There was discussion among the Committee members and guests. MOTION: Eloy Soza moved to approve to support the recommended accessible path of travel route for the Hillcrest area of town with a second by Abel Alonzo. There was discussion among Committee members. AMENDMENT: David Walker CALLED FOR THE QUESTION to amend the motion to include the path of travel to be extended two blocks north and east of the suggested path of travel. The motion passed. VI. Staff Reports / Comments: (Discussion, with possible action): A. Non-Discrimination Ordinance: • On August 29, the Leon Bazar will present the Non Discrimination Quarterly Report to the City Council. He has requested for Linda Fallwell to speak to the City Council on behalf of the Committee for Persons with Disabilities and give an overall presentation on the projects that the Committee for Persons with Disabilities have been involved with this past year. • Leon Bazar attended the Texas TDLR Accessibility Academy. He further informed the Committee that he has submitted the Human Relations Department's and Committee for Persons with Disabilities' names to host one the TDLR Hearings that will be held throughout Texas. • Leon Bazar is working on plans for Gary Olivarez, TDLR's Architectural Bafflers Division to come to Corpus Christi to conduct training for City Staff, Architects and Builders. The training session will be for one day. • Easy Living Builders Association—Leon Bazar and the Chairperson have viewed the website for Easy Living. To become a member of this association, a person or group must agree to build homes with accessible entrances, common areas that are on the first floor, and that pathways inside of home be accessible for wheelchairs. CFPWD 080206 3 tir Is • National League of Cities/ Inclusive Communities —Leon Bazar and Skip Noe, City Manager, have met to discuss the possibilities of becoming a designated inclusive community by the National League of Cities. • Le Fleur Transportation Company—Leon Bazar will meet with Kevin Latone to discuss bus transportation for people with disabilities. Le Fleur has informed Leon Bazar that they can operate at the airport and will need to be contracted to assist those with disabilities from the airport to the downtown hotels. • Housing— Leon Bazar informed the Committee that the Human Relations Department is receiving more housing cases. The Human Relations Department focus is on fair and affordable housing. B. Other Items: 1. Curb Ramp Projects— Individual Curb Ramp Guidelines and Prioritization Recommendations Update: None. 2. Park and Recreation Outreach Marketing Effort- Sally Gavlik: • Thanked the Human Relations Department for assisting the Parks and Recreation Department with funding so that some Parks and Recreation facilities and projects to make them accessible. • Beat Ball Tournaments were held this summer. • The Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with the Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living to create a special needs registry. • There will soon be ADA lifts at various additional city pools. • The Parks and Recreation Department did host closed caption movies this summer for the public. • The Parks and Recreation Department have been using an interpreting cart machine to assist with interpreting services when needed. • The grant application was approved for the Miracle Filed. The Chairperson requested the information on who is providing the interpreting services for the Park and Recreation Department and she also requested information on children that are requiring interpreting services. [4:45 PM Alonzo Garza arrived] 3. Development Services Key Projects - Initiatives Update: Alonzo Garza • Working on the UDC (Unified Development Code) • Working on the checklist that has been provided to the Development Serves Department from the Committee. CFPWD 080206 4 • Alonzo Garza will be sending comments and concerns to Leon Bazar so that he can convey those comments and concerns to the Chairperson. • Alonzo Garza just met with Spohn Hospital representatives regarding accessibility changes they will be making. ■ Alonzo Garza informed the Committee that HEB Plus will address accessible routes in their parking lot with the Development Services Department. [4:52 PM Abel Alonzo left] [4:58 PM Sally Gavlik left] [4:58 PM Dolye Curtis left] VI. Old Business: • Citizens Police Academy Parking Patrol The Chairperson stated that there are no persons with disabilities involved with the Citizens Police Academy Parking Patrol and she desires to keep this item on the agenda until persons with disabilities are involved. The Chairperson stated the Committee's position is that the prevention of persons with disabilities from participating in the program is discriminatory. She then stated that the Committee for Persons with Disabilities and others who have voiced their concern do not want that. VII. New Business: Brian Watson informed the Committee that he my assist in grant applications to assist veterans. VIII. Committee Concerns / Request for Agenda Items: Concern: None. Agenda Items: • Update on Molina Project • Hector Vallejo—ADA requirement on low income buildings • Update from Parks and Recreation • Development Services— Blue Ribbon Committee • Municipal Court—Citizens Police Academy • Account for Barbara Jordan Award funding X. Announcements: David Walker voiced his concern regarding Michael Gunning and his Development Services staff attending TDLR in Austin, Texas. Leon Bazar informed the Committee and David Walker the Michael Gunning, his staff and Jim Boggs will be attending TDLR Training and the funding to pay for the training seminar will come from the Human Relations Department. Xl. Adjournment: CFPWD 080206 5 it V MOTION: Eloy Soza moved to adjourn the meeting with a second by David Walker. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:04 PM. Chairperson Date CFPWD 080206 6