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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 07/11/2007Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes Page 1 of 5 A. Call to Order was at 3:34 PM by the Vice Chair, Mr. Walker. ,%np� 112 t 71, B. Roll Call was taken, establishing a quorum. In Attendance David Walker Abel Alonzo Cliff Bost Toni Padilla Harvey Salinas Leon Bazar (post -roll call) Wanese Butler Billy Delgado for Sally Gavlik Absent , ; �C ... Linda Fallwell-Stover ca Lee Jonesy`afi:'f�rb� David Ramos "., OFFICE fl' Rosa Valdez` Alonzo Garza Guadulupe "Lupe" Rocha Wendy Ogden (Resigned) Per Wanese Butler: (1) Leon Bazar was on his way from another meeting; (2) the Legal Advisor, Wendy Ogden, resigned a couple of days ago for an employment opportunity outside of the City; (3) both Linda Fallwell-Stover and David Ramos had contacted Human Relations for excused absences in not being able to attend today (Linda Fallwell-Stover — Work related; and David Ramos — Medical/Illness related); and (4) Billy Delgado asked to be excused at 4:00 PM to also attend another board meeting. For the Record, Mr. Alonzo commented that he was concerned about pertinent staff attendance by the Development Services Department and status of Alonzo Garza in attending the Committee meetings. C. Requests for Excused Absences The Vice Chair called for any excused absences. MOTION To excuse the 7/11/07 absences for Linda Fallwell-Stover and David Ramos was made by Harvey Salinas and seconded by Clif Bost. MOTION passed. II. Approval of Minutes The Committee reviewed the minutes. After there being no discussion or questions, the Vice Chair called for the Motion. MOTION To approve the Minutes as written was made be Harvey Salinas and seconded by Abel Alonzo. The Motion passed. II. A. Public Comments - No public in attendance. III. B. Presentations - Update on ADA Parking Violation Citations & Dispositions by Chief Municipal Judge Tamez: HANDOUT of a printout of ADA citations was provided by Judge Tamez for the period of 8/1/06 to present 7/11/07. He then proceeded to conduct an overview with references to the subtotals for each disposition/status category. Committee Members followed along. The reported total number of citations to date is 1,442. Some statistical highlights presented by Judge Tamez include: 620 current cases pending 14 deferred disposition 498 dismissals due to exculpatory evidence SCANNED 18 cases in which the citizen just paid upfront Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes Page 2 of 5 23 citations had been paid in full within 30 days by citizens 122 citations in which the citizen pled guilty and paid the fine in full the same day. In response to Mr. Salinas' inquiry on dismissals for reasons other than presenting a placard, Judge Tamez replied with examples such as defective citation, no show of officer/citation issuer, department requested dismissal, insufficient evidence or in the interest of justice. Mr. Salinas asked for examples of the last two dismissal reasons given. Judge Tamez agreed to forward specific examples of dismissals in the interest of justice and those for insufficient evidence. He added there was only 1 dismissal under the not guilty category. Regarding specific scenarios, Mr. Bazar added that there was an incident in which a female citizen had received a citation and wanted it dismissed by presenting the vehicle placard to the court. Upon inspection of the vehicle placard, it was discovered that the placard information was for her spouse. However he was deceased at the time of the citation. Another scenario was in the form of a complaint received on a local business that had converted its designated elderly/seniors parking in order to designate accessible parking for customers. The complainant was elderly but did not have a disability nor placard and thus could no longer park in the space closest to the business front. The Judge continued to respond to further questions and provided the following information: • Regarding the maximum fine amount for repeat violators, it is up to $1,000. (H. Salinas) • In order to tell how many citations are written by Police Officers, it may be possible to do so in the citation system by using an indicator like officer ID number. (D. Walker) Mr. Alonzo commented that along with issuing citations, more education is needed on ADA parking and how to avoid sidewalk obstacles, such as vehicles parking on sidewalks. This presentation and discussion was temporarily interrupted at approximately 3:55 PM to yield the floor to Billy Delgado for the Park and Recreation update before he had to attend another board meeting. Committee Members wanted status on the Latchkey questions. Billy Delgado did confirm with the Committee that staff had been working on the questions submitted by Committee Members Clif Bost and Harvey Salinas, and also on preparing an update on the condition of City parks in evaluating for accessibility, plus the City is improving about 15 parks at a time through the current bond program. Both the Latchkey question responses and update on park accessibility would be presented to the Committee as promised, which is set for the Committee's August meeting. Mr. Salinas did express a concern on the timing with the new school year approaching. He also asked that any Latchkey changes be Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes Page 3 of 5 communicated before school starts and hopes to have the Park and Recreation information at the next meeting. Mr. Delgado reiterated that the Latchkey question responses will be presented at the August meeting. Mr. Delgado was excused and departed. The Committee returned to discussion on ADA parking citations with Judge Tamez. Mr. Bost asked about how illegal placards are being addressed such as in flea markets. Mr. Bazar indicated that former Chief Alvarez had begin using undercover Police officers at the flea market, and reported that there had been no sales of illegal placard during undercover assignment. Regarding further enforcement of ADA parking, Mr. Bazar reminded the Committee that we had paid for extra on -duty Police officers to work the large events at the American Bank Center. Adding that the difference in having Police officers versus staff/volunteers, officers have the authority to actually approach and question individuals about the vehicle placards or the lack of one when people are attempting to use an accessible parking space. There was general discussion briefly in which members indicated that they were impressed with the number of citation issued and hope that "the word is getting out". The Judge agreed with Mr. Walker and Members that public service announcements can help people understand what it means when a person with a disability cannot shop if they cannot park. Mr. Bost asked about age statistics of ADA parking offenders. [Mr. Salinas stepped out of the meeting room — Lost quorum] Judge Tamez replied that age statistics could possible be built off of dates of birth in the citation system. There were no further questions. The Vice Chair thanked Judge Tamez before he left the meeting. IV. Chair's Report — No report at this time [Ms. Fallwell-Stover was unable to attend today's meeting.] V. Subcommittee Reports A. ADA Title I/Employment Subcommittee — No subcommittee meeting. Ms. Padilla advised that she had not received the second batch of updated job descriptions by Human Resources, and she provided her new address for Human Relations to forward. [Mr. Salinas retuned — Quorum resumed — Discussion only had occurred] B. Engineering Subcommittee — Mr. Rocha was unable to attend but provided color copies of his update on ADA projects with photos. The Committee reviewed the project photos, with Mr. Bazar's narration in overview. He added that the City has begun using only polyurethane pavers versus brick pavers on curb ramp projects, and also using Uretek foam application to lift 17 sunken sidewalks in downtown within two days. He also had an opportunity to Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes Page 4 of 5 share the Uretek foam method with the Texas Governor's Committee Chair, Judy Scott who was interested in learning about the foam application to sidewalks. Mr. Alonzo made inquiry as to how the Committee in obtaining more community awareness about the Committee, possibly have Mr. Bazar make a presentation to the City Council. Mr. Bazar extended to the Committee to make the presentation to gain visibility to let the community know who and what the Committee is about and doing. Mr. Alonzo commented that "we're not where we need to be, but we have come a long way." Mr. Salinas commented for the record that things get pushed back, simple things like Latchkey. On public awareness, Ms. Padilla added some people may not know what is means when they hear: "accessible", "accessibility", "request reasonable accommodation", etc. Mr. Bazar added that accessibility is not important for persons with disabilities who mobility devices, but also that parent using a stroller. Ms. Butler added that some persons use cases/carts on wheels to transport their groceries and such versus use of a car. [Mr. Salinas stepped out of the meeting room — Lost Quorum] Mr. Bazar continued indicating that staff is working with the City Public Information Office on PSA cost estimates for a greater impact to reach more people, beyond the free non -peak time PSA spots, by paying for some peak - time PSAs. In the new fiscal year, we could rollout a public awareness campaign to address not only ADA parking, but also obstacles along sidewalks and curb ramps such as illegal/improperly parked vehicles; tree limbs; standing water; etc. Mr. Alonzo suggested that work also begin to list all of the Committee's accomplishments. C. Barbara Jordan Media Awards Subcommittee HANDOUT - Ms. Padilla provided an update and reported on an ending revenue balance of $1,721.44. She also informed the Committee that the Subcommittee has a suggestion on how to utilizing these funds in sponsoring some type of employer recognition. [Mr. Salinas retuned — Quorum resumed — Discussion only had occurred] The Subcommittee will prepare a Motion for the Committee for the next meeting to use the $1,721.44 for employer recognition. She added that the decorations will be given at a presentation event to be determined, but that Committee Members will be invited. [Mr. Salinas advised that he will have to leave, but agreed to stay in that the meeting would soon end. Moved to Staff Reports.] Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes Page 5 of 5 VI. Staff Reports/Comments Mr. Bazar provided a brief update: • HANDOUT - Reminder of the open meetings training on-line. Once completed, Members are to forward to Human Relations a copy of the certification/confirmation. The City Secretary's Office will certify with the Texas Attorney General's Office. • Packets of Ira Black's photos were reissued even though the minutes reflected having been previously distributed because Mr. Black said that the Committee Members did not have copies of the photos. Mr. Black filed 900 complaints in one year's time and sent complaints to the U.S. Department of Justice, in which only one did the DOJ forward to the City to address. • Invitation for July 26, 2007 10:00 AM in the City Council Chambers for award presentation by EEOC Regional Director to the City (Mayor Garrett, City Manager Skip Noe, Assistant City Manager Margie Rose and myself) for outstanding outreach efforts. [Moved to Committee Concerns/Agenda Item Requests due to time] IX. Committee concerns/Agenda Item Requests Ms. Padilla made inquiry of the movies in Cole Park as no longer appears as it used to on the City's website and unable to locate. Staff is to follow-up. X. Announcements — There were none. XI. Adjournment - MOTION to Adjourn was made by Harvey Salinas, Seconded by Clif Bost. Passed in unison and meeting adjourned at 4:55 PM.