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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 10/03/2007City of Corpus Christi Committee for Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting of October 3, 2007 A. Call to Order was at approximately 3:35 PM by the Vice Chairperson, Mr. David Walker. II. B. Roll Call was taken, establishing a quorum. Chairperson, Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover was due to an emergency. Members in Attendance Mr. David Walker Mr. Abel Alonzo Mr. Clifford Bost Mr. Herman Lee Jones Mr. L. David Ramos Mr. Harvey Salinas Absent Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover Ms. Toni Padilla Ms. Rosa M. Valdez Staff Leon Bazar Wanese Butler Yvette Aguilar 171 Sally Gavlik and Billy Delgado Ken Polasek and Gerald Tyler Margie Rose C. Requests for Excused Absences Excused Absence requested for Rosa Valdez who's in Austin for the week. Motioned by Clifford Bost. Seconded by David Ramos. MOTION Passed. Excused Absence requested for Chairperson, Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover, for a family emergency. Motioned by Clifford Bost. Seconded by David Ramos. MOTION Passed. II. Approval of Minutes The Committee reviewed the minutes. After there being no discussion or questions, Motion was set by the Secretary, Abel Alonzo. Seconded by David Ramos. MOTION Passed. Public Comments — Judy Telge Judy Telge, Executive Director of Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living (ACi/CBCIL), commented on the 2007 October Disability Employment Awareness Month. She asked for a City proclamation for this awareness month, but understood that Human Relations was already working on the proclamation, but added that ACi would be happy to participate. Ms. Telge also announced a unique project, the only one in Texas, that being of TNFF which enables individual to be exempt from having to look for work for five years while on TNFF and that counseling is available. Their pilot program was successful and was also extended for one year. [Harvey Salinas arrived at approximately 3:40 PM] Ms. Telge also introduced her outreach staff who accompanied her today, Moses Reyes and Dolores Ortiz- Doebler. Both were newly hired and will work with her at CBCIL. • CBAD classes will start next Friday. Presentations — Public Information Office Proposed marketing campaign on accessibility with Kim Womack, the City's Public Information Office Director. Ms. Womack presented possible campaign on the sidewalk issues to keep them clear of debris and over hanging items. The � X11 1 City of Corpus Christi Committee for Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting of October 3, 2007 PIO Department now has production cameras to do some internal video, such as for public service announcements to be placed on: • Cable Channel 20 — CCTV • CCTV Information to be launched soon with dedicated news space, including an e -newsletter. Everyone should be able to sign up for the e -newsletter via the City's website. • The bulletin board items can be referenced from CCTV. Vice Chairperson, David Walker, gave encouragement indicating that this is a good place to start. He also addressed the issue for obstacles at the businesses that people could face. For example: doors, door handles, parking spaces, and that the Americans with Disabilities Act specifies the parking space's accessible aisle should also be free of obstacles, such as shopping carts. Kim Womack felt that possibly the City could also collaborate with media students/offices at local universities and high schools. She indicated that dialogue has already begun with the TAMU- Corpus Christi and Miller High School for student/intern participation. • Ideally have CC News Television Magazine Ms. Womack asked if the Committee would like work with the Public Information Office on this accessibility PSA campaign. Mr. Alonzo was pleased to address the sidewalk issues with ADA because it is also a safety issue for kids. Mr. Bost is concerned also for senior citizens. Mr. Alonzo MOTIONED that the CFPWD support and work with the City's PIO on an accessibility campaign. Harvey Salinas and Clifford Bost seconded in unison. The MOTION passed. Chairperson's Report — The Chair, Ms. Fallwell-Stover was unable to attend this meeting. The Vice Chair, Mr. Walker, and Leon Bazar from Human Relations reported on: • An upcoming Mayor's Proclamation Reading on October 16th for Employment Disabilities Awareness Month will be held in the City Council Chambers at 11:45 AM. • The success on the September 26th seminar for people who work or want to work and they receive SSI or SSDI benefits. The session was conducted by Ben Fischer, with the Social Security Administration, at the local MHMR Building. He thanked Toni Padilla, Linda Fal lwelI-Stover, and Wanese Butler for their assistance for a very good session, in which 50 people attended. David Ramos said it was a good presentation and that it helped consumers. • Reminded the Committee of the upcoming Annual Employment Symposium on October 4th in conjunction with DARS at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach, and to let Ms. Butler know if any other Members wanted to attend. • Mr. Alonzo asked if the speaker discussed PASS funds since these are under utilized and people should use so Congress will not do away with the PASS funds. Mr. Fischer had mentioned PASS funds and provided some brochures. City of Corpus Christi Committee for Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting of October 3, 2007 Staff Reports/Comments A. Human Relations — Non -Discrimination Ordinance — Leon Bazar • In discussing curb ramp problems, TX DOT is already working on corrections, per Mr. Bost. • Concerns raised by Citizen, Mr. Black, is how to City will reinforce the reoccurring problems with property owners in the maintenance of high grass and not having clippings on the sidewalks; and also wanting the City to reconsider the classification of reconstruction, resurfacing projects of streets. Mr. Alonzo indicated that this citizen has been sending letters to the Mayor and City Council and has now added Mr. Alonzo to the list. Although this citizen has never talked to Mr. Alonzo, Mr. Alonzo indicated that he is willing to discuss his concerns. • The new Northwest Library will be opening on Saturday, October 6th. He also mentioned that Ms. Butler has assisted in conducting a pre -construction walk-thru with Engineering. • On a Curb Ramp Citywide Project, staff will work with Judy Telge and will present the project at next month's meeting. • City Council's discussion of Bayfest fares included was to add persons with disabilities to the reduced fares for children and senior citizens. Although Bayfest did not implement this, the level of awareness was raised and two Committee Members did an ADA evaluation, Mr. Jones and Mr. Alonzo before Bayfest opened. Overall accessible, but wooden ramps were not sturdy enough. So, the City let Bayfest use portable metal ramps. Mr. Alonzo felt that maybe persons with disabilities could be included in the reduced fares for other populations in the future, such as next year. Mr. Bazar suggests that the Committee restructure its motion in that upon street closure request for special events, the reduced fares are addressed not just Bayfest. [Sally Gavlik and Margie Rose arrived at approximately 4:08 p.m.] After discussion with Ms. Gavlik, recommend looking at any special event issues beforehand with sufficient time and have representation before the City Council with their plan. Mr. Alonzo commented that he is grateful for Ms. Gavlik's suggestions and that she has greater awareness. B. Engineering - ADA Projects Vice Chairperson, Mr. Walker, opened discussion on the Engineering Reports. Ken Polasek distributed the updated reports and provided an overview of: • Sidewalks project at Baker Middle School • Marina to use ongoing project funds and a JOT contract. • In sidewalk efforts, use of an on-call contractor to be developed as an avenue to get work executed, instead of conducting one -by -one projects while can do multiple jobs; Coming soon in December 2007. • As ramp materials resources, vendor, Flint Resources, will conduct a test demonstration around City Hal. Iron Works is offering to do the same. • "Safe Routes to School Project" funding awards went mostly to EI Paso and Dallas, but none to Corpus Christi, which was hoping for money to address City of Corpus Christi Committee for Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting of October 3, 2007 connectivity among schools. Some outlining communities like Ingleside and Gregory -Portland received some funds. Vice Chair, Mr. Walker, asked that we think about what we can do to plan for next year. Mr. Bost suggested speaking with TXDOT also. Mr. Alonzo thanked Ken Polasek and Gerald Tyler for picking up the slack during the interim. Mr. Walker mentioned the good format of Engineering's report. [Ken Polasek and Gerald Tyler left the meeting.] C. Park and Recreation • Updates on the parking lot projects at Heritage Park and Senior Centers. • Mr. Alonzo indicated that he likes to see Park and Rec more inclusive. A good example of that is the new sidewalk by school along Williams Drive and the Century 21 movie theater. He explained that once the ramps were completed, a child he has seen using a wheelchair could now play at the schools basketball courts and added, "Great job"! • Billy Delgado comments on the zero depth at the Greenwood Pool. Signs that ADA is at Oso Creek show that ADA gulf carts are available. • Sally Gavlik asked that the wording of Marketing only" be removed from the agenda since the department would be provides a broader update that includes programming and projects. With nothing further for Park and Recreation, the Vice Chair recognized Development Services on the agenda, but a department representative was not in attendance. Mr. Salinas asked about Latchkey, but this subcommittee was unable to meet this month due to members' schedule conflicts. Ms. Gavlik did inform the Committee of following up with the waiver option through the State regarding staff picking up kids at school bus stops. Ms. Gavlik indicated that the Department of Family and Protective Services are considering the waiver request but that it appeared a waiver would not be granted citing that staff could not be expected to leave the Latchkey group of kids to pick up one child. Members expressed concerns about the waiver request language submitted that would receive this type of response. VI. Subcommittee Reports — 1. ADA Title I/Employment Comprehensive — None to report. 2. Engineering Subcommittee — None to report. VII. Old Business Volunteer ADA Parking Program — None to report. VIII. New Business - None [Sally Gavlik and Billy Delgado left at approximately 4:35 pm] IX. Committee Concerns/Agenda Item Requests - Abel Alonzo asked for Margie Rose to join the table to talk with the Members. Mr. Alonzo expressed concerns about Parks and Recreation and its relationship with the Committee. They did better today than most and that the Members want City of Corpus Christi Committee for Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting of October 3, 2007 a positive relationship with the Parks Director. He revisited the how the waiver was written to the State regarding Latchkey bus stop pick ups. Mr. Harvey Salinas concurred and added that with Latchkey, parents of kids without disabilities look at different factors before enrolling them, but for a child with a disability, Parks and Recreation answers our questions to a minimum. Mr. Bost indicated that children who cannot travel from the bus stop to the Latchkey site are excluded if we cannot remove this barrier; and added that laws cannot be changed but policies can. Mr. Alonzo asked how do we develop a better relationship and work together. We know we are an advisory board. Mr. Salinas indicated that if other cities, for example Austin, can do certain things, why cannot Corpus Christi? He also asked if the Committee received Latchkey's presentation from the State. Margie Rose indicated that the Staff can look at what the State's process/requirements and to also let the Committee know of what would be required to take to do something different at the City level. Mr. Bost expressed an understanding of Parks and Recreation's perspective as he used to serve on the Parks and Recreations Advisory Committee (PRAC). Mr. Alonzo indicated that Members have to make a commitment and take lead to attend the subcommittee meetings to discuss these issues. But he also noted that he and he believes other Members feel that the Staff's resentment and frustrations make it difficult to work together for a resolution. Mr. Walker suggested that since the bus stops are of the school district that possible staff could work with CCISD for an accommodation of its staff escorting the kids from their bus stop to Latchkey door. Mr. Rose agreed to open- mindedness and is hopeful that the subcommittee has a clear understanding of what the City is currently doing so the Staff is not stuck on this being a State process. She indicated that she will work with staff to establish the framework for generating some ideas. Mr. Alonzo thanked Ms. Rose for her time and willingness to open the lines of communication. X. Announcements — There were none. XI. Adjournment —MOTION to adjourn was made by Clifford Bost. It was Seconded by Harvey Salinas. The meeting passed in unison and adjourned.