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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 02/06/2008Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 02/06/08 Page 1 of 5 1. A. Call to Order was at approximately 3:35 pm by the Chair, Linda Fallwell-Stover B. Roll Call was taken, establishing a quorum. In Attendance CFPWD: Linda Fallwell-Stover, David Walker, Abel Alonzo, Toni Padilla, L. David Ramos, Harvey Salinas, Rosa M. Valdez STAFF: Leon Bazar, Patsy Garcia, Wanese Butler (Human Relations) Billy Delgado (Parks & Recreation) Christina Fratilia (Development Services) Gerald Tyler, Jerry Shoemaker, Jaime Powell (Engineering Services) Yvette Aguilar (Legal) Absent CFPWD: Clifford Bost, Herman Lee Jones C. Requests for Excused Absences The Chair called for any excused absences. To excuse L. David Ramos for January 2nd meeting made by Harvey Salinas and seconded by Rosa Valdez. Motion passed. 2. Approval of Minutes MOTION To approve the January 2008 minutes as written was made by David Ramos, seconded by Harvey Salinas. 3. Public Comments • Judy Telge, RTA Board member, spoke about the Title 2 Transition Plan process which asks for public input from riders, people with disabilites and disadvantaged population. Ms. Telge asked the committee members to visit the RTA website and give their comments on the plan. A meeting summarizing the public comments will be held on Febuary 21 or 22, 2008. Ms. Telge will provide Leon Bazar with an invitation which lists meeting informaton. Leon agreed to forward the invitation to all the committee members. Ms. Telge thanked the committee and encouraged individual involvement to offer much needed information relative to accessibility. Ms. Telge also invited the committee members to attend the Coastal Bend Advocacy Development Class which is held every 2nd Friday of the month. A viewing of the film "The Forgotten Lives" will be presented during the March meeting. • Linda Falwell -Stover welcomed Jamie Powell who was in the audience. Ms. Powell is a new City employee working in the Engineering department and handles ADA plans and projects. 4. Presentations A. American Bank Center Update Russ Myers, Administrative Services Manager, gave an overview of accessiblity and new programs offered by the American Bank Center (ABC). • ABC has 12 city owned parking lots which include a total of 1204 parking spaces. 72 parking spaces are marked, accessible and are ADA compliant. All accessible parking spaces meet all Federal and State mandated regulations. At least 1 van accessible parking space is available in each parking lot. • The ABC continues to provide training and information to all staff. Staff training includes ADA Accessibility, Event Briefing prior to every event, Monthly Parking Newsletter, Annual Training (6 Hours), New Employee Guest Services Training, SCANNED Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 02/06/08 Page 2 of 5 Annual Customer Service Training and Connect Training (Sensitivity and Conflict Resolution Training). "Fans First" is a program that focuses on making sure each person who walks into the American Bank Center is treated individually. B. Assistant City Manager, Oscar Martinez, to Speak regarding RTA Fund Contribution to City Oscar Martinez spoke regarding the history and how the City takes in and utilizes funding received from the Regional Transportation Authority. • In 1985 the City of Corpus Christi had an interlocal agreement that allowed the RTA buses to become a part of the City. Once established, the RTA would pay the City of Corpus Christi an amount to cover costs for street usage and street repairs due to buses being driven on City streets. The fund was called Street Usage. • In 1991 the City established 2 funds: 1) Street Improvement Fund - for street usage and 2) Transportation Assistance Fund - established to pay for the cost of supporting the transportation requirements of Emergency Medical System (Ambulance System). • In 1999 the interlocal agreement between the City of Corpus Christi and RTA established 2 funds: 1) Street Improvement Fund — used to recover the cost for the repair of streets damaged by City buses and 2) Capital Projects Fund — Contribution of $500,000.00 to fund special projects that would not otherwise be undertaken by the City. • The Street Usage funds are contributed to the City's General Fund (approximately 1.1 million dollars). An allocation formula is used by the RTA to calculate how the remainder of the funds will be utilized. The RTA is currently working with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to create an opportunity for ADA infrastructure, bus improvements that would benefit the City of Corpus Christi. Once the process has been determined, the RTA will then issue the interlocal agreement to the City describing the process. Mr. Martinez did not have documentation on the process. The City must first incur the expense and request reimbursement from the RTA. • Since 1999, there have been approximately 60 Special Projects and up to 1.1 million dollars have been spent on the projects. 5. Chairperson's Report Linda Fallwell-Stover deferred the Chairperson's Report. 6. Staff Reports/Comments A. Human Relations Department 1. Department Monthly Performance Report Leon Bazar provided the Committee members with copies of the Human Relations Monthly Performance Report and spoke regarding the following: • EEOC Employment Discrimination Complaints — 28 cases closed • HUD/Fair Housing - 15 cases closed • Accessibility Grievances — 30 complaints (16 complaints regarding resurfacing, maintenance and related curb ramps and are under investigation) • ADA Trash Pick-up - 2 new requests • 1 grievance on utility poles placed obstructing sidewalk and pedestrian buttons. Utility company has agreed to remove poles. Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 02/06/08 3 of 5 • Greenwood Library - Sections of sidewalk sunken/elevated were repaired by using the Uretek foam process; three lifts performed in approximately 1.5 hours. • Working with the CDBG funding to make Mary Carroll House accessible. • Marina Project - Continuing construction on paving, crosswalk and ramps on all three T -Heads. • Harbor Playhouse/Museum - Project on Committee priority list: crosswalks and curb ramps project will begin prior to receiving Bond 2008 funding. • Leon invited representatives from Del Mar College to speak at the March Committee meeting regarding the new auditorium parking lot. The parking lot has 18 new parking spaces including crosswalks with pavers and 3 van accessible parking spaces. • City Hall - Engineering through change order will be investing approximately $37,000.00 for improving accessibility via all entrances at City Hall. • Juvenile Justice Center Construction - County project: City Inspector met with Juvenile Justice Center representatives and reviewed/revised construction plans so the parking construction will meet accessibility regulations. • Department of Interior complaint regarding 120 City parks - Human Relations, Parks and Recreation and Legal prepared and completed a response. The Department of Interior confirmed they received the response. After reviewing the response, they will provide a follow-up letter. 2. Resurfacing/Reconstruction Upgrade Guidelines • Leon Bazar reported - Box Nix, Assistant City Manager for Development Services, agreed Human Relations will be part of review process for new subdivisions and plats and final approval will require HRel signature. Leon or Wanese Butler will be in attendance at the meetings. • Leon provided the committee with an Engineering Services ADA Elements Guidelines handout. The handout provides a minimum level of direction for Engineering projects within the City of Corpus Christi regarding New Construction, Reconstruction, Roadway Alterations, Surface Treatment Maintenance and Utility Upgrades. The guidelines do not preclude the ability of the City to evaluate each product on its own merit and consider the impact of other external and internal factors that may affect the final work activity and product. The factors may include, but are not limited to, funding availability, funding sources and restrictions, engineering specifications, safety considerations, TxDOT applications, etc. Chairperson's Report: Linda Fallwell-Stover took the opportunity to thank the Committee members and Staff for all their hard work and dedication as she served on the Committee. Leon Bazar presented Linda Fallwell-Stover and Toni Padilla with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the Mayor for dedicated public service as founding members on the City of Corpus Christi's Committee for Persons with Disabilities and their promotion of a more Accessible and Inclusive Community. [Jerry Shoemaker left at 4:50 pm] [Rosa Valdez left at 4:58 pm] [Toni Padilla left at 5:04 pm] SCA NNED Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 02/06/08 Page 4 of 5 B. Engineering Services Department Gerald Tyler provided the Committee members with copies of the Active Construction Projects report and stated that the report, requests for bidders/contractors are posted on the City's website. [Christina Fratilia left at 5:16 pm] C. Parks and Recreation Department 1. Latchkey Complaint Update No report. 2. Catch a Special Thrill (CAST) Youth Fishing Program Brandy Smith, Senior Gulf Beach Lifeguard, spoke regarding the (CAST) Youth Fishing Program. CAST is a youth fishing program that encourages children with disabilities to participate and enjoy fishing. CAST is a six -hour event that will consist of 40 local children, 60 volunteers, and 40 to 75 family members. The City of Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department Beach Lifeguards and the CAST Organization will take the children fishing on the north jetty of Packery Channel at the end of Zahn Road next to the jetty. Each child will receive a goodie bag including a fishing rod and reel, tackle box, tackle a t -shirt and hat as well as a plaque with a photo of themselves with their fishing volunteer. Lunch will be provided for all participants and volunteers. The event will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008 on the Upper Laguna Madre in Corpus Christi. 3. Update on ADA Parks Project No report. [Billy Delgado left at 5:34 pm] D. Development Services Department No report. 7. Subcommittee Reports A. ADA Title I/Employment Comprehensive Subcommittee No report. B. Engineering Subcommittee No report. C. Latchkey Subcommittee Billy Delgado met with Leon Bazar on the Latchkey Committee. Three items were discussed: 1) Transportation - the possibility of dropping children off closer at the school. However, due to bus schedules, dropping the children off closer was not a possibility. The Committee and CCISD will work together on a case by case basis to resolve transportation issues. 2) Training: Wanese Butler currently provides and will continue to provide training for Parks and Recreation staff during the summer and for all new employees. 3) Program/Brochure: The accommodation program/brochure is currently being drafted. Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 02/06/08 Page 5 of 5 8. Committee Agenda Item Requests A. Recommendations for CFPWD Board Appointment Candidates 2 Vacancies for Linda Fallwell Stover and Toni Padilla 2 Re -Appointments for Abel Alonzo and Rosa Valdez Leon Bazar indicated that the Council is now requesting 75% attendance whether or not the absence is excused or non -excused. The Committee recommended the following: A motion was made by Harvey Salinas and Seconded by Abel Alonzo to recommend Nova Shield. A motion was made by Harvey Salinas and seconded by Abel Alonzo to recommend Thomas Dryer. A motion was made by Abel Alonzo and seconded by Harvey Salinas to recommend Irene Martinez. B. Recommendations on New Committee Meeting Layout No discussion/recommendations. 9. Announcements Leon Bazar announced: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) 3 -Day Academy will be held April 2008. 10. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Harvey Salinas and seconded by David Walker. The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:45 pm.