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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 09/06/2006 v CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI-COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Summary Minutes for the Meeting of September 6, 2006 I. The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 3:34 PM. A. Roll call: Present Committee Members: ?go, Linda Fallwell-Stover, Abel Alonzo, James Duerr, Toni Padifl , Eloy Soza; Brian Watson Post Roll Call Arrivals: oze %i Roberto Flores Absent Committee Members: David Walker, Mary Saenz Present Staff Members: Wanese Butler, April Moffett, Maureen Mahoney, Guadalupe Rocha, Doyle Curtis, Police Chief Smith, Judge Tamez, Hector Vallejo Public: Harvey Salinas B. Excused Absences: David Walker The Chairperson informed the Committee that David Walker has requested an excused absence for this month's meeting. MOTION: Abel Alonzo moved to excuse David Walker's for this month's meeting (September 6, 2006) with a second by Eloy Soza. The motion passed. Mary Saenz The Chairperson informed the Committee that Mary Saenz has requested an excused absence for this month's meeting. MOTION: Abel Alonzo moved to excuse Mary Saenz's for this month's meeting (September 6, 2006) with a second by Eloy Soza. The motion passed. II. Approval of Minutes: Meeting of August 2, 2006 Upon review of the minutes, Toni Padilla requested the minutes to be amended to reflect the correct spelling of Lefleur Transportation. MOTION: Toni Padilla moved to approve the minutes of August 2, 2006 as amended with a second by Eloy Soza. The motion passed. III. Presentation and Public Comments: Public Comments: Harvey Salinas thanked the Committee for allowing him to sit in on the meeting and then stated that he has submitted his name to the Mayor for consideration for placement on this board. SCANNED CFPWD 090606 I Presentation: Hector Vallejo, Neighborhood Services Hector Vallejo introduced himself, handed out information to the Committee members and thanked the Committee for allowing him to be present at the meeting. He then informed the Committee that the City of Corpus Christi receives two types of funding: CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) grants and Home improvement grants. These programs are to help home owners with major repairs/modifications to their home. Mr. Vallejo also informed the Committee that there is a Rehab Loan Program with the City of Corpus Christi. If the repair cost of the home is more than the home, demolition of the home will take place and the home will be rebuilt according to the home owner's needs. The City has a Home Loan Program. It is mainly used when emergency repairs are needed. Most of the City's elderly have benefited from this program. The City also has grants that will assist first time home owners. The challenge with this program is the growing cost of land. He also informed the Committee that the CDC(Community Development Corporation) and Nueces County Community Action Agency will assist in building new homes that not exceed $85,000. Hector Vallejo informed the Committee that the number of persons with disabilities who have benefited from the programs is about four out of five. He also stated that modifications have been made to the plans of new construction to accommodate those persons with disabilities. The Chairperson informed Mr. Vallejo about the "Easy Living Program". She then stated that Leon Bazar could provide him with more information. Hector Vallejo concluded by stating that the challenge for the programs has been people's income verses the cost of the home and the cost of the land and keeping people in the homes after they have moved in. The Chairperson also wanted to ensure that the minutes reflected the Committee's request for all new construction and reconstruction of existing homes, through the City's Housing Program, be built with universal design. [3:55 PM Mr. Roberto Flores arrived] Police Chief Smith and Judge Tamez: Police Chief Smith informed the Committee that there has been 646 citations written between the months of August 2005 and January 2006, (a 65 percent increase in accessible parking citations). He also informed the Committee that training for the Citizen's Police Academy is going well and eight more people will be trained through the academy. Police Chief Smith also informed the Committee that the Citizen's Police Academy is not closed to persons with disabilities. However, day heat, and aggressive citizens have been his CFPWD090606 2 . � V concerns regarding persons with disabilities participating in the Citizen's Police Academy Program and he does not want to leave anyone unprotected or put anyone at risk while they are participating in the program. He stated people who go through the program have a better understanding because they experience real life situations that the Corpus Christi Police Department faces on a daily basis. He is also reviewing the motives of the citizens who want to be volunteers in the program. Their motives must be prudent. The Chairperson also inquired about the number of people who have gone to court due to accessible parking citations. Judge Tamez stated he did not know the number of people who have gone to court because of accessibile citations. The Chairperson then requested that information for next month's Committee meeting. Chief Smith also stated that the Citizens Police Academy Program is a community, volunteer program. There are two classes per year and there are eight people currently in training now. The Chairperson then requested for the Police Chief to come back to next month's meeting and inform the Committee of the requirements for the Citizen's Police Academy. [4:47 PM Police Chief Smith and Judge Tamez left] IV. Chairperson's Report: (Discussion, with possible action): Disability Consortium • The Chairperson stated that the Committee has been selected to participate in a Disability Policy Consortium and she will be attending the consortium on the 14th of September in Austin, Texas. • There will be an Emergency Preparedness Meeting in Austin, Texas. She will be attending that meeting. V. Subcommittee Reports: (Discussion, with possible action): A. ADA Title I /Employment Comprehensive: No Report. B. Engineering Subcommittee - Lupe Rocha Lupe Rocha introduced Ricardo Martinez and informed the Committee there will be meeting with Angel Escobar at a future meeting and then TX DOT. They also informed the Committee that they revisited the downtown area and concluded that all paths of travel should be accessible. A handout informing the Committee members of the recommended paths of travel was distributed. It reflects the Committee's priority and intent to provide an accessible route. Mr. Martinez stated that the routes would ensure accessibly to public transportation, accessibility to downtown hotels and restaurants and accessibility to critical businesses that the general public and visitors may need to access. Lupe Rocha informed the Committee that funding for this project is coming from a joint project with TX DOT and will afford the City the opportunity to leverage the City's ADA Bond 2004 funds for greater benefit. CFPWD 090606 3 vd [5:19 PM Lupe Rocha and Ricardo Martinez left] [5:21 PM Abel Alonzo left] VI. Staff Reports / Comments: (Discussion, with possible action): A. Non-Discrimination Ordinance: No Report. B. Other Items: 1. Park and Recreation Outreach Marketing Effort- Maureen Mahoney: • Heather Walker, Denton University, trained staff on deaf communications skills. Parks and Recreation currently has three children participating in its after school program that are benefiting from the training that was given. • There are several Parks and Recreation sites serving children with multiple disabilities. • Sounds of Silence—This class of thirteen children read books in sign language at Barnes and Noble. This is an on going program. 2. Development Services Key Projects - Initiatives Update: No Report VI. Old Business: Barbara Jordan Media Awards —The Barbara Jordan Media Awards Committee will meet at the RTA's Board Room, Bear Lane, on the first Tuesdays of the month leading up to the award ceremony. Corporate Tables and Individual tickets will be available for purchase. Bian Watson voiced interest in assisting with the preparations for this ceremony. Eloy Soza stated that he would inquire about downtown hotel ADA accommodations and do on site visits to the downtown hotels. The Chairperson then requested Eloy Soza to also inquire about accessible transportation availability. The Chairperson also stated that she would like to possibly host°Scoop Training° in preparation for the Barbara Jordan Media Awards. [5:29 PM Toni Padilla, Maureen Mahoney left] VII. New Business: • The American Council for the Blind Convention will be at the Holiday Inn Airport September 15— 17 2006. Eloy Soza informed the Committee that he would like to attend. • Brian Watson provided information on college students and mental health, (handout), to the Committee. VIII. Committee Concerns / Request for Agenda Items: Concern: No Report. CFPWD090606 4 i✓ V' Agenda Items: • Packery Channel—The Chairperson requested for City staff member, Joe Trejo inform the Committee on the current updates regarding the accessibility at the Packery Channel • Police Academy Requirements X. Announcements: No Report. Xl. Adjournment: MOTION: Eloy Soza moved to adjourn the meeting with a second by James Duerr. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:39 PM. Chairperson Date CFPWD 090606 5