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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 02/07/2007Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) Page 1 of Summary Minutes — February 7, 2007 A. Call to Order was at 3:36 PM by the Chair, Ms. Fallwell-Stover. B. Roll Call was taken and a quorum was established. `J In Attendance Absent Var anr.iPc Linda Fal lwell-Stover, Chair David Walker, Vice Chair Abel Alonzo, Secretary Eloy Soza Leon Bazar Wanese Butler Doyle Curtis Billy Delgado for Sally Gavlik Robert Stoddard for Alonzo Garza Guadalupe "Lupe" Rocha Roberto Flores Toni Padilla Brian Watson 3 (Duerr/SaenzMatson) Other Staff: Daniel Gallegos, Community Development Manager Mr. Alonzo wanted it recorded that he wanted to ensure that the Committee was not in violation of the Open Meetings Act. Mr. Curtis shared that it is a majority of active Members for establishing the quorum, so with two resignations (Duerr and Saenz) the Committee is left with seven active Members and four Members is a majority. With Mr. Watson's resignation dated today, there are now only six active Members. C. Requests for Excused Absences — Request by Ms. Padilla MOTION To approve Ms. Padilla's absence of January 3, 2007 was made by Mr. Walker, with a Second by Mr. Soza. II. Approval of Minutes — Upon review by Committee Members, the Summary Minutes for the Committee Meeting on January 3, 2007 were approved. MOTION To approve the minutes as written was made by Mr. Soza, with a Second by Mr. Walker. There was no further discussion and the motion was passed by vote. III. A. Public Comments — Attended by Mr. and Mrs. Gazin; Rick O'Brien. The Gazins made no public comments at this time. 0 MW Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) Page 2 of Summary Minutes — February 7. 2007 • Mr. O'Brien, with a non-profit organization of Sail Corpus Christi made public comments on two challenges: 1. Need of a lift to transition participants from a wheelchair to the sailboat. 2. Need of a ramp to the front of the organization's office on Shoreline Drive. Mr. O'Brien indicated that he is seeking funding options from the Committee and City for an accessible ramp. B. Presentations: CDBG's Proposal Process [provided after the Chair's report] Daniel Gallegos, Community Development Manager, provided an overview on the 2007 proposal process for anyone seeking funds through the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home programs. Mr. Gallegos highlighted: • Community Development is hopeful for development of a master plan of all eligible tracts, in conjunction with Engineering Services. • New requirement this year: a pre -application must be submitted. • Also new is combining the Home and CDBG Requests for Proposals (RFP) into one: construction and non -construction. • Reported that the RFP has improved the incorporation of ADA information for construction proposals (home ownership and low-income). There was brief discussion on: • What of types of projects these Community Development dollars may be used for, such as: new construction - rental, rehabilitation — rental, pre -development loan, public facility (including non -profits), and commercial projects. • Utilizing this Committee to assist in reviewing CDBD project plans regarding, and a possible request for the Community Development Department have a staff representative at these Committee meetings. IV. Chair's Report by Ms. Fallwell-Stover • Member Recognition: The Chair recognized Committee Members, Eloy Soza and Roberto Flores for their many years of Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) Page 3 of Summary Minutes — February 7, 2007 service as they exit service on the Committee due to term limitations. • Barbara Jordan Media Awards — 2007 Event Planning: The last meeting was held on 1/22/07; the next meeting is scheduled for 2/15/07; Accessibility Coalition of the Coastal Bend's 501(c)(3) is being used in managing the event monies; Sponsorship materials should be available next week; a "Save the Date" was sent; and assisting with the event by Dik Johnson (former Committee Member), Crystal Lyons (former Committee Member and current Chair of the Human Relations Commission) and Rachel Cox and Ralph McFarland both with the TX A&M — Corpus Christi Office for Students with Disabilities. • The Chair recognized and thanked Eloy Soza, David Walker and Toni Padilla for joining her in working at the "City Hall at the Mall" event. People seemed to enjoy the diversity quiz questions at the Human Relations booth. There was great work between the Committee, Commission and Staff. V. Subcommittee Reports: A. Title I ADA Employment — This subcommittee had met with Sylvia Wilson of the Human Resources Department, but another meeting is to be scheduled; No report at this time. B. Engineering — No subcommittee meeting this past month; However, Mr. Rocha provided an update: • Copies of a packet of projects were distributed. • Mr. Rocha indicated that this packet had been approved 2/5/07 for bids on these projects. The packet was provided for the Committee Members to review over the next month for discussion and address questions at next month's meeting. • Mr. Rocha overviewed copies of four CDBG pre -applications that the Engineering Services is submitting to the Community Development for funding consideration this year. The Chair asked that clarification be brought back to the Committee next month on whether or not these grants for all school districts, meaning beyond just the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD). Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) Page 4 of Summary Minutes — February 7, 2007 VI. Staff Reports/Comments: Mr. Bazar also thanked everyone's support at the "City Hall at the Mall" event this past weekend. He also informed the Committee of the upcoming equal opportunity forum with the Human Relations Commission, NAACP, LULAC and American GI Forum, with speakers from Regional Directors with U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing and also the State Director of the Texas Workforce Commission's (TWC) Civil Rights Division. A. Non -Discrimination - Mr. Bazar provided an overview on the quarterly update. There was general discussion on the types of ADA issues/complaints, with an example of accessibility versus personal preferences on an individual basis. As stakeholders The Chair also asked about the Committee viewing the quarterly presentations before the City Council. Mr. Bazar explained the agenda item process and that the agenda and its items are generally finalized for the City Manager the Thursday prior to Council Tuesday. However, some draft or summary information of the discussion items for the presentation may be provided earlier. Committee participation in the actual presentation on City Council Tuesday has been difficult due to schedule conflicts and not knowing a specific time of when the presentation would actually be made at the City Council meetings. However, the Chair suggested that the Committee participate in the planning phase of the quarterly update before the agenda item is completed. B. Park and Recreation Outreach/Marketing: • Mr.- Delgado provided handouts of programs to be offered this summer and that the Department's outreach will continue to the suggested agencies. The Chair asked that: (1) the Department let the Committee know when and who will be contacting the agencies in anticipation of the Department's summer program when it is ready; and (1) the timeframe of when the summer program brochure and when the Committee would view it. • Mr. Delgado also shared information on "boundless playgrounds" that had just arrived and explore Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) Page s of Summary Minutes — February 7, 2007 possibilities to do so within the community, including through grant opportunities. [Brief Break - Lost quorum briefly from 4:34 pm — 4:38 pm; Mr. Soza had to step away briefly — Committee reconvened and resumed with the agenda.] Mr. Watson suggested the City's Marina as a possible boundless area, such as for the sailing program for individuals with disabilities. Mr. Bazar added that the City of Houston opened a boundless playground in December 2006, right before Christmas. Staff will be meeting with the Nueces County Community Action Agency on accessible play areas as well. There was general discussion on Miracle Field at the Corpus Christi State School. In response to what impact would there be if the State School were to ever close, Mr. Delgado indicated that it should not have any affect on the program at Miracle Field. Mr. Walker commented that there is Access Board movement regarding accessibility changes, but these have not yet been passed by the US Department of Justice. In response to Mr. Alonzo asking if this information would go before the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC), Mr. Delgado indicated that changes to park and recreation programs do go before PRAC. 2. Development Services Key Projects: Mr. Stoddard reported that the Unified Development Code (UDC) Landscape Subcommittee is still meeting, and that there is no deadline set at this time. These was discussion on replacing the Committee representative seated on this UDC subcommittee, due to Brian Watson's resignation and �� OW -0 Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) Page 6 of Summary Minutes — February 7, 2007 VII. Old Business — A. The Chair asked for follow-up on the accessible parking citation statistical reports regarding dispositions. After receiving call from the Citizen's Academy Alumni also concerned about the reflection of data, the Chair and Mr. Bazar met with the Chief Prosecutor, Trisha Dang and had opportunity to review the report coding. Mr. Bazar indicated that the City Attorney, Mary Kay Fisher, shares these concerns and instructed the Prosecutor's Officer return a plan of action to properly recode the report to better reflect this data. B. The Chair asked for reflection in the minutes, that she had requested the City's accessibility parking volunteer patrol's written standards/requirement information multiple times, and that she would like this information in the packet prior to the next meeting. The Chair expressed concerns in the delay of this written material and would like an explanation from the Police Department, and that she would like to meet with the Police Chief and head of the citizen academy alumni. VIII. New Business — A. Unified Development Code (UDC) — Replacement of seat on the UDC's Landscape Subcommittee seat due to vacancy by Brian Watson. There was general discussion and which Members are available to fill this vacancy. Mr. Soza indicated that he is willing to serve. ® To appoint Eloy Soza to the UDC Landscape Subcommittee to replace Brian Watson was made by Mr. Walker, but did not actually receive a Second. Mr. Alonzo commented that there are five new Committee Members being appointed by the City Council this -month, who may desire and have a willingness to serve in the Committee's seat on the UDC's Landscape subcommittee. Mr. Alonzo made comments on the Motion, but did not actually make a Second. The Chair asked for a Second, but was not one made so the Motion died. The Committee will wait to appoint Mr. Watson's replacement after the new Members have been appointed and attend the next meeting. 0 4/10 Committee for Persons Disabilities (CFPWD) Page 7 of 7 Summary Minutes — February 7, 2007 There was further discussion of possible criteria recommendations to the City Council in bringing more diversity to the Committee. Members brainstormed and offered criteria factors such as ethnic diversity, social/economic, cross-disabilities, applicant's track record of commitment, and reiterating focus on community-minded and not individual advocacy. In discussing methods of communication recommendations to the City. From a legal perspective, Doyle Curtis, the Members agreed to place possible criteria recommendations for City Council appointments on next month's agenda and will seek input from the new upcoming Members and any public comments as well. The Chair reminded Members present that the Committee is advisory. IX. Committee Concerns/Agenda Item Requests — • Agenda Item: City Council Appointments — Possible Recommendations on Criteria Factors for Candidates to serve on the CFPWD. • Concern by Mr. Soza: Citizen observed using wheelchair in street instead of sidewalks on Texan, between South Staples and South Alameda. Mr. Bazar indicated that Staff had already received an anonymous call, went on-site and met with citizen using the wheelchair in the street. • Agenda Item: Sail CC — Follow-up on Possible Options to meeting accessibility needs. • Concern by Mr. Soza: Hit-and-run on Curtis Clark with sunken sidewalk. Citizen to be referred to Human Relations if desires to file a complaint. X. Announcements — None at this time. Xl. Adjournment— MOTION To adjourn the meeting was made by, with a Mr. Alonzo, with a Second by Mr. Walker. The meeting adjourned in unison at approximately 5:15 PM.