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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 09/05/2007COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Page 1 of SUMMARY MINUTES FOR MEETING ON 9/5/07 A. Call to Order was at approximately 3:30 PM by the Chair, Ms. Fallwell- Stover. B. Roll Call was taken, establishing a quorum. In Attendance Linda Fallwell-Stover Leon Bazar David Walker Wanese Butler Abel Alonzo Billy Delgado Clif Bost Sally Gavlik Lee Jones Ken Polasek Toni Padilla Gerald Tyler`�A�', Harvey Salinas Johnny Perales�� Robert Stoddard `s��`�����?,�� Absent David Ramos & Rosa Valdez C. Requests for Excused Absences MOTION The Chair called for any excused absences. To excuse the 8/11/07 absence for Rosa Valdez and the absence for David Ramos as of 9/5/07. Motioned by Harvey Salinas and Seconded by David Walker. MOTION passed. II. Approval of Minutes MOTION The Committee reviewed the minutes. After there being no discussion or questions, the Chair called for the Motion to approve the minutes as written was made by David Walker and Seconded by Lee Jones. MOTION passed. III. Presentation A presentation on the City's Unified Development Code was made by Michael Gunning, City Consultant. Mr. Gunning indicated that Jim Dunkin and Associates evaluated the city codes. In January 2006, a Blue Ribbon Committee established a cross committee of representatives to meet with consultants to discuss a draft code review, and that David Walker, Crystal Lyons, and Billy Delgado serve on some of the UDC Subcommittees for shared access, landscaping, and park development. Also present from Development Service Center, are Johnny Perales, new Deputy Director, and Robert Stoddard, new Acting Building Official. User feedback via 7 focus groups. They reviewed the public comments after 29 meetings but these meetings were not well attended. The 7 groups are: Administrative Processes, Base Zoning (permits), Park Development, Shared Access, Infrastructure, Landscaping, and Signage. The goal is to take codes and make into one document that can be clearer to understand. Three of the seven groups are completed since the beginning of November/December of 2006. They are Landscaping, Park Development, and Signs, in which signage size tied to type of street. Master Plan is to include the fee structure include park fees on the number of units verses 5% of costs and the new park fees that is paid by the developer at $50 per dwelling unit that's used for parks and improvement. Corpus Christi is more incline to have multiple fan next to single dwelling verses commercial residential. Gunning states that the one issue not yet resolved is enforcement. He believes that a small percentage is not complying. Shared access wants to take a SCANNED COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Page 2 of SUMMARY MINUTES FOR MEETING ON 9/5/07 driveway ordinance. For example: local streets, roadways and pavement standards are being reduced across the country to save the developers money. To tie sidewalks to curbs on one side of the street and the other side of the street to have hike and bike trails, per the 2002 Oregon Study. Six members indicated this was unfavorable. Linda Fallwell-Stover raised the issue of seamless paths of travel. David Walker says that the City standards for driveways does allow for a 2 % cross slope. Linda Fallwell- Stover questioned how the Universal Development Code aids in making a community accessible, such as avoiding obstacles in a timely manner and inclusive park development. Mr. Gunning responded that UDC in any city is not an ADA tool or ADA policy per se, but that it can in part help address access issues. David Walker interjected that a UDC is broader whereas the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) has the ADA specifications. Mr. Bost presented a concern of how a brand new park has no curb ramps but people have to get off the sidewalk and go into the street. Gerald Tyler responded to Members' questions and agreed that the UDC itself is a tool of reference to include several factors: TDLR, ADA, TCQ, storm water, pollution, etc... Through increasing education, incidents of non-compliance are going down. Mr. Walker agreed that things have gotten better. Harvey Salinas suggested that we should use current state and federal standards, because he felt that we cannot assure change. The Chair asked for other Committee thoughts. David Walker suggested using page 1 of Universal Development Code's purpose to craft language to be inserted as one of the purposes on the inclusion and ADA compliance. MOTION Harvey Salinas Motioned that the Committee recommended language be crafted into the Unified Development Code's purpose to incorporate the philosophy of inclusion and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Clifford Bost Seconded. Under discussion, Abel Alonzo expressed a concern that the staff still needs training after 15 years of when the ADA was passed. MOTION Chairperson Linda Fallwell-Stover, asked for the Committee to consider a motion against sidewalks on only one side of the street. She is concerned that it violates the law. Harvey Salinas Motioned for CFPWD not to support any initiatives relative to the UDC that allow for sidewalks only on one side of the street. Toni Padilla seconded. No more discussion. MOTION passed. IV. Chair's Report Ben Fisher with Austin's Social Security Administration would come to Corpus to address the fear of losing Social Security Benefits for people who are employed. They are looking for an afternoon or evening education awareness session and a place to host within the next couple of weeks to get the word out to people. [Sally Gavlik joined the meeting.] Mr. Salinas indicated that the Worksource organization had held a similar training for businesses. Chairperson, Linda Fallwell-Stover clarified that this training would be for consumers with disabilities. Toni Padilla added COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Page 3 of SUMMARY MINUTES FOR MEETING ON 9/5/07 especially for those persons with SSI and SSD. Diane Stanley was present and agreed to assist by checking on a meeting space for this training. The Chair also thanked Mr. Salinas for a contact person, Ms. Constante, to distribute the table centerpiece donations from this year's Barbara Jordan Media Awards. V. Subcommittee Reports — A. ADA Title I Subcommittee — The large batch of updated City job descriptions are still under review. Ms. Padilla reported seeing much improvement in the job description language with fewer areas of concern in requirements not matching essential functions. The next step is to meet with Sylvia Wilson of the City's Human Resources Department. This was concurred by Mr. Alonzo, and that the new staff is more reception, open on how to have better wording which removes biases. B. Engineering Subcommittee — No subcommittee meeting this month. Report to be made under staff reports. C. Barbara Jordan Media Awards Subcommittee — Tony Padilla states that there is $1,700.00 in the bank account of Accessible (ACCB). Ms. Padilla presented the Motion she drafted at the Committee's request on using the remaining funds for education events for employment such as employer workshops and/or in partnership with other agencies to do so. Toni Padilla motioned. Harvey Salinas seconded. MOTION passed. VI. Staff Reports/Comments A. NDO — By Mr. Bazar 1. Citizen, Mr. Black, raised concerns. Chairperson, Linda Fallwell- Stover, extended and invitation to speak to the Committee for Persons with Disability but, he wants to wait. 2. PSA — Public Information Office is working on this and should be recommending a vendor for public service announcements (PSAs). 3. Training - TDLR agreed to provide its training locally as a one -day session, possibly in October 2007. Chairperson, Linda Fallwell- Stover and Toni Padilla encouraged everyone to try to attend. It will be good training. 4. Texas Civil Rights Project — TCRP indicated that they were impressed City staff's proposal on Marina ADA issues. Staff will provide status report within 60 days. Ms. Butler and Rene Garza did site visits. 5. Call Center — We pleased to have a new hire, Bob Jones, who has expertise on visual impairments and good resources. B. Engineering: 1. The recently assigned interim liaisons are Ken Polasek and Gerald Tyler will be going through the project list and will have COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Page 4 of SUMMARY MINUTES FOR MEETING ON 9/5/07 the updated reports in October 2007. 2. The Southside Library project was awarded recently and will be by Kaffie Middle School. The Parkdale project bids opened today with connectivity to the Parkdale project parking lot. 3. The Northwest Library is in its final construction phase. C. Parks and Recreation: 1. Committee Concerns/Questions on Latchkey Program - Harvey Salinas was pleased and affirmed that the process has started. He continued that this type of open dialogue is needed as to what we can keep in the program, what we need to add, what is outdated and what needs to be updated. Mr. Salinas liked that the staff made calls to Latchkey parents. There were 3 to 4 more applications accepted. As a suggestion, he would like to see a booklet given to parents, which also publicizes the Latchkey contact person for assistance with children having disability related issues. The Chairperson, Linda Fallwell-Stover, appreciated for Park and Recreation and hopes they get the resources that they needed. Sally Gavlik indicated that although she wants this to work, her first commitment is to the State licensing for 2000 kids. Clifford Bost indicated that he checked with Child Protective Services and found that Parks and Recreation can ask for a waiver on the staff ratio for bus stop pick ups. He also suggested for Staff to possibly work with the school systems to see if they can try to assist with an Aide but was not sure who would pay for the Aide. The Chairperson, Linda Fallwell-Stover, suggested to possibly explore other partnerships to offset the cost of additional staff or aide. For example: Scholarships through CCMS or Worksource. Committee members recognized that Latchkey Supervisor, Isabel Huerta, is solution minded in trying to accommodate kids with disabilities. Members expressed their appreciation to her for "stepping out of the box". Another follow-up meeting will be set with Committee Members and Staff. Billy Delgado updated the Committee that there have been 12 more requests for accommodations with school starting. 2. Merriman-Boby House — The restrooms ADA improvements should have been ready next week. 3. Brian Delaney spent $600,000 on Miracle Field, located by the Corpus Christi State School. He will be meeting with Engineering and Architects. [Johnny Perales had to leave at this time]. Proposal on the Horne and Airport Road: Rotary Club agreed to raise the money for Southside and Calallen to pass future sites for other Miracle Fields. COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Page 5 of SUMMARY MINUTES FOR MEETING ON 9/5/07 4. Coles Gym project - CDBG funding is finished. 5. ADA golf carts — The City has two accessible golf carts at the Gabe Lozano Golf Course. In comparison to data in a recent ESPN magazine article, the City appears to be ahead of other communities. The Chairperson and Toni Padilla encouraged staff to get good press. 6. Assessment of Parks - 4 out of 15 parks were for land programs and we will submit another 15 parks as Bond projects. 7. Harvey Salinas questioned about the American Bank Center staff training due to a problem he described in a staff member not knowing where the accessible entrance is located. We must get ABC's response. Harvey Salinas will think about what he wants to do regarding meeting with ABC and/or to file a compliant. Development Services: Robert Stoddard and Johnny Perales had to go to the Planning Commission Meeting. With nothing further for the Parks and Recreation Department. Sally Gavlik and Billy Delgado left at approximately 5:35 pm. VII. Old Business - No discussion on the ADA parking project at this time. VIII. New Business - A. Member Training - Leon Bazar offered to provide brief training sessions, similarly done with the Human Relations Commissioners, on applicable laws, related agencies and resources. The Chairperson suggested that the Committee do so since we are ambassadors for the community on inclusion. She recommended bi-monthly sessions. There was consensus passed to do such training sessions at the CFPWD meetings, and the Chairperson asked Leon Bazar to include it on the agenda. B. City Council Update — The presentation has moved from 9/18/07 to 9/25/07. Three Members to represent the CFPWD at the Council meeting: The Chairperson, the Vice President, and the Secretary. The Chairperson challenged the committee members to review and let them know information they feel is important to include in the presentation. C. New Legal Liaison - Yvette Aguilar, recently hired by the City was informed today of her assignment as the Assistant City Attorney for Human Relations and would be attending these Committee meetings. She provided here contact information. She also had to leave at 5:50 pm. D. Staff on the Agenda - David Walker suggested that the Committee consider restructuring the agenda for staff from other departments, such as switching staff reports with subcommittee reports. COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Page 6 of SUMMARY MINUTES FOR MEETING ON 9/5/07 E. MOTION Bayfest - Able Alonzo stated that Bayfest was asked by the City Council to consider giving their discounted fee from $5 to $3 for people with disabilities also, as given to senior citizens and children. He also indicated that the female Bayfest committee representative in attendance at Council was angry with him for raising the discounted fee before the City Council during public comments. Mr. Bazar indicated he had attempted to meet with Sally Gavlik about Bayfest. Mr. Alonzo expressed a desire for inclusion in the discounted fees so more persons with disabilities on fixed incomes could attend. The committee endorsed Abel Alonzo's proposal for reduced fees at special events like Bayfest by Motion from David Walker and Second by Harvey Salinas. The Motion passed. Able Alonzo will present the Motion at the next City Council Meeting. IX. Committee concerns/Agenda Item Requests — There were none. X. Announcements — There were none. XI. Adjournment - MOTION to Adjourn was made by Toni Padilla. Seconded by Clif Bost. Passed in unison and meeting adjourned at approximately 6:OOpm.