Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 10/04/2006 r1 CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI-COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Summary Minutes for the Meeting of October 4, 2006 I. The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 3:34 PM. A. Roll call: Present Committee Members: Linda Fallwell-Stover, David Walker, Abel Alonzo, James9uerr, Boy Soia, Brian Watson, Toni Padilla 5 Post Roll Call Arrivals: r a) ?001 Roberto Flores Absent Committee Members: Mary Saenzto . Ej Present Staff Members: , Margie Rose/ACM, Leon Bazar, April Moffett, Billy Delgado, Daniel Gallegos, Alonzo Garza, Lupe Rocha, Doyle Curtis Public: None B. Excused Absences: Mary Saenz The Chairperson informed the Committee that Mary Saenz has requested an excused absence for this month's meeting. MOTION: Toni Padilla moved to excuse Mary Saenz's for this month's meeting (October 4, 2006) with a second by Eloy Soza. The motion passed. II. Approval of Minutes: Meeting of September 6, 2006 Upon review of the minutes, • Toni Padilla requested for Page 2 to be amended to reflect CDBG (Community Development Block Grant). She also requested for the amendment of CDC (Community Development Corporation). • The Chairperson referenced the Hector Vallejo's presentation. She requested the minutes to be amended to reflect that the Committee has requested for all new construction and reconstruction of existing homes that are built through the Neighborhood Services Housing Programs have universal design. • Lupe Rocha, City Engineering Department, requested for the minutes to amended to reflect that he would ask Angel Escobar, Director of Engineering Services Department to attend a CFPWD future meet [3:44 PM Roberto Flores arrived] MOTION: David Walker moved to approve the minutes of September 6, 2006 as amended with a second by James Duerr. The motion passed. III. Presentation and Public Comments: Public Comments: No Comments, SCANNED CFPWD 00406 SCANNED �r *10 Presentation: Daniel Gallegos, Neighborhood Services The Chairperson asked Daniel Gallegos' inform the Committee on what Neighborhood Services could do to ensure that their housing program is non- discriminatory and has access to all. Daniel Gallegos informed the Committee that he has issued information (via handout) to the Committee and he stated that there are some things that must be done to ensure that the houses that are being built and restored meet ADA standards. He further stated that the Home Investment Partnership Program mainly deals with rental units. The program provides funding for affordable housing. Mr. Gallegos informed the Committee that City funding for this City project is partial. The Chairperson inquired about universal design for all home improvement projects utilizing public funds. The Chairperson then inquired how the City of Corpus Christi could promote accessible new ADA homes. Mr. Gallegos responded by referring the Committee to page 10-4 of the handout that he issued entitled, Chapter 10: Other Federal Requirements from the section entitled: Removal of Physical Barriers. The referred documentation stated: 'for new construction of multifamily projects, 5 percent of the units must be accessible to individuals with mobility impairments, and an additional 2 percent of the units (but not less than one unity) must be accessible to individuals with sensory impairments? The Chairperson stated that the Committee feels that publicly funded housing should met universal access standards. She requested Daniel Gallegos to explain why this is not possible. Leon Bazar informed the Committee of the three requirements that Easy Living states must be present in order for a building to be considered an accessible building. Those things are the following: 1. The entrance to a building must be level. 2. The hallways must be accessible. 3. The bath and kitchen areas must have levers and the entire space must be accessible. Alonzo Garza stated for a change to take place in the construction or reconstruction of a City sponsored home, it would have to be addressed in the City's building code and the City would have to draft a change in the building ordinance for those homes. The Chairperson stated that she would like to see some kind of movement toward universal design regarding the homes that are being constructed and using public funds. The Chairperson then requested Doyle Curtis to provide guidance to the Committee for a proposed ordinance regarding the CFPWD 100406 2 V reconstruction and construction of new homes funded by public funds. Brian Watson also suggested contacting Rice University's Design Alliance to solicit their support. IV. Chairperson's Report: (Discussion, with possible action): [The Chairperson deferred her comments to Old Business] V. Subcommittee Reports: (Discussion, with possible action): A. ADA Title I /Employment Comprehensive: Leon Bazar informed the Committee that the Human Relations Department is still trying to meet with the Human Resource Department. The Chairperson requested for the ADA Title I Subcommittee to be present at the meeting between the two departments. Leon Bazar stated that he and the Human Resource Director will need together to address the internal issue prior to a meeting with the Committee for Persons with Disabilities' ADA Tile I Subcommittee. Leon Bazar reminded the Committee that the Committee for Persons with Disabilities has requested that the City's job postings and advertisements be inclusive. He also reminded the Committee that they formed a subcommittee to assist the Human Resource Department with the changes that need to be made to the job advertisements and postings. However, do to staff changes within the Human Resource Department; the ADA Title I Subcommittee has not been successful in meeting with the Human Resource Department. The Chairperson stated that the Committee would like documentation on how the City is doing at hiring people with disabilities. B. Engineering Subcommittee - Lupe Rocha Packery Channel (Handout) Lupe Rocha informed the Committee that a fiberglass ramp is being installed from the seawall to the beach, there will be 10 accessible parking slots at the seawall, and accessible ramps will need to be install for accessibility from the seawall to the beach. [4:41 PM Margie Rose/ACM arrived] The Chairperson inquired about guardrails for the ramp at the seawall as presented by Joe Trejo nearly four years ago. The Vice-Chairperson responded that there are no requirements for guardrails or handrails. Alonzo Garza confirmed the Vice-Chairperson's response and also stated that a pole has been placed there so that the citizens may have something to hold on to. The pole that is there is neither a handrail nor a guardrail. Leon Bazar voiced his concern regarding getting a person who is wheelchair bound from the sand and to the water. Abel Alonzo stated that it is possible that Nueces County previously donated a wheelchair to the citizens of Nueces County for the purpose of enabling citizens with disabilities to have access to CFPWD 100406 3 irr V the beach water. James Duerr applauded the City for its work on the Parkery Channel Project. The Chairperson requested a presentation on the Whitecap Sidewalk Projects at next month's meeting and on any other beach improvements. VI. Staff Reports / Comments: (Discussion, with possible action): A. Non-Discrimination Ordinance: • Neighborhood Meeting (NIP)—Manshine There will be a NIP meeting for the Manshine area of town on October 11, 2006. The meeting will be located at South Park Middle School and the meeting will begin at 6:00 PM [4:58 PM Abel Alonzo left] • Gary Olivarez—Leon Bazar informed the Committee that he has been in contact with Gary Olivarez and they are trying to agree on a date to conduct training for City Staff and local architects. He then stated that the training session would be a short, three-day, course. • Site Inspections—The Human Relations Department has been asked to conduct site inspections at various businesses. Toni Padilla requested for an on site visit to be done at Del Mar College. Leon Bazar stated that the request would have to go through Development Services. The Chairperson requested a response to that request at next month's meeting. Alonzo Garza stated that the request would fall in line with the Unified Development Code. • Conventions—There were some major conventions here in town this past month. The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, and the Convention of the Blind of Texas was here in town. The Human Relations Department and other City Departments assisted with the conventions. • On October 10, 2006, Tuesday, will be the White Cane Day Proclamation. • The City of Corpus Christi did get accepted in the National League of Cities Inclusive Communities Partnership. The City is waiting on the Inclusive Communities signs to arrive so that a date can be set for the dedication of the sign to the City. Leon Bazar requested any pictures of any of the events that the Committee has participated in within the last 18 months. Leon Bazar also has requested Crystal Lyons to help prepare material for the National Recognition for Inclusive Communities. B. Other Items: 1. Park and Recreation Outreach Marketing Effort- Bill Delgado: CFPWD 100406 4 V • The Parks and Recreation have sponsored films that have been closed captioned. • Tiny Fingers Program—This sign language class is committed to education. • Human Relations Department—The Human Relations Department has assisted the Parks and Recreation Department with purchasing five pool lifts for pool accessibility. The Human Relations Department also assisted with the Marian Bobby house. It was in need of accessible restrooms and the Human Relations Department assisted with that project. • Golf Carts—There are two new accessible golf carts. One cart will be located at the OS0 Golf Course and the other at the H. J. Williams Golf Course. • Parks and Recreation Brochures—The new Parks and Recreation brochures were issued to the Committee members. 2. Development Services Key Projects - Initiatives Update: Margie Rose/Assistant City Manager and Alonzo Garza/ Development Services Margie Rose/ACM gave the Committee a quick update on the Unified Development Code Committee. She stated after a review of the responses to the Unified Development Code Committee, they felt that it would be better to divide the committee into eight different subcommittees. She requested for the two Blue Ribbon Committee representatives from the Committee for Persons with Disabilities to serve on the Landscaping and Buffing Subcommittee and Shared Access Subcommittee. Upon request from the Chairperson, Ms. Rose gave a brief overview of all eight subcommittees that are being formed from the Blue Ribbon Committee. The Chairperson then requested for the representatives from the Committee for Persons with Disabilities to also be placed on the Park Development Subcommittee. Ms. Rose stated that the Blue Ribbon Committee would like for the subcommittees to start meeting this month. The Chairperson also requested a hardcopy list of the new Blue Ribbon Committee's list of subcommittee. [5:28 PM Mr. Flores left] Alonzo Garza informed the Committee that here are a lot of departmental changes happening within the Development Services Department. CFPWD 100406 5 V The Chairperson then requested written material on the changes. Alonzo Garza also informed the Committee that after everything is finalized, he would further inform the Committee about the changes. [5:30 PM Ms. Margie Rose left] Alonzo Garza further informed the Committee that Corpus Christi will host the APA Planning Association Statewide Convention. Planners and developers from everywhere have been invited to attend this event. The convention will be October 18-20 2006. Alonzo Garza informed the Committee members that if there is any information that he may be able to share with other convention attendees, please supply him with that information. VI. Old Business: • Barbara Jordan Media Awards—The Chairperson informed the Committee that Scoop Training will be held on tomorrow, Thursday, October 5, 2006 at Foy Mood High School and at Calallen High School in conjunction with inclusive communities week. The training will start at 9:30 AM. There will also be a Barbara Jordan Media Award planning meeting Monday, October 9, 2006 at the Corpus Christi Regional Transit Authority. The Chairperson informed the Committee that the Accessibility Coalition has offered to sponsor the Barbara Jordan Media Award event. MOTION: Eloy Soza moved to designate the Accessibility Coalition of the Coastal Bend as a pass through organization for dollars designated for the Barbara Jordan Media Awards Banquet with a second by Vice- President, David Walker. Eloy Son called the question. The motion passed. Leon Bazar recommended Carol Scott as a media person for the event. • Volunteer ADA Parking Program Update— Leon Bazar From June-August there were 317 ADA parking violations. Office Depot in More Plaza— 16 Padre Staples Mall — 16 Wal Mart(Greenwood)— 13 HEB (Driscoll Children's Hospital) — 13 Del Mar College— 12 Best Buy—9 Nueces County Courthouse—9 The list of citations continues. There were some reasons of dispensation that were unknown. Leon Bazar informed the Committee that he would like into the reasons of dispensations of the citations. VII. New Business: None. VIII. Committee Concerns / Request for Agenda Items: CFPWD 100406 6 Concern: • Abel Alonzo requested to know why time indicators of when a person arrives or leaves the Committee For Persons with Disabilities meeting are now placed in the minutes. The Chairperson responded that she has requested that information to be noted in the minutes to ensure City Staffs attendance. Mr. Alonzo requested in writing something indicating the duration of this meeting. He also requested the information because he has to use City transportation and time is a concern to him. The Chairperson requested clarification from Doyle Curtis and Leon Bazar for next month's meeting. • The Chairperson has requested information for the Committee meetings to be provided in meeting packets in advance of committee meeting. • Eloy Soza has requested for the agenda to be prioritized. Agenda Items: • Robert Flores requested information regarding accessibility at McGee Beach with a follow up to a previous concern. • Lupe Rocha, Engineering Department- Staples Street Project and the White Cape Street Project. • Dolye Curtis, Legal Department— Provide guidance on ordinance changes regarding the reconstruction and new construction of houses in the City's housing programs. • Human Resource Department—would like documentation on how the City is doing at hiring people with disabilities. • Development Services—Site inspections at Del Mar College X. Announcements: No Report. XI. Adjournment: MOTION: Eloy Soza moved to adjourn the meeting with a second by James Duerr. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:53 PM. Chairperson Date CFPWD 100406 7