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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 06/04/2008Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 06/04/08 Page 1 of 4 Call to Order was at approximately 3:30 p.m. by the Chairperson, Abel Alonzo. 12 8 "1.i3 J i p6 j �dy Saline �5 CO) N91 A. Roll Call was taken, no quorum. In Attendance CFPWD: Abel Alonzo, Herman Lee Jones, Irene Martinez, STAFF: Leon Bazar, Patsy Garcia, (Human Relations) Sally Gavlik, Billy Delgado (Parks & Recreation) Jamie Pyle (Engineering Services) Yvette Aguilar (Legal) Absent CFPWD: David Walker, Thomas Dryer, Clifford Bost, David Ramos, Rosa Valdez [Chairperson, Abel Alonzo, called for Public Comments. None. Then proceeded to Item 4.] 4. Presentations A. Human Relations Public Service Announcement The Committee viewed the Human Relations Public Service Announcement (PSA). Public Information Director, Kim Womack, spoke briefly regarding the PSA. The PSA was developed by a local company and runs free of charge on CCTV — Time Warner and Grande - Cable Channel 20. Leon Bazar is in the process of drafting a letter on behalf of the Committee. The letter will be addressed to local television stations to encourage PSA airtime. Mr. Bazar stated that there are plans for another PSA regarding accessible parking and how unauthorized parking impacts people with disabilities. [Billy Delgado arrived at 3:35 p.m.] B. DARS Division for Blind Services "Youth & Young Adult Programs" Presentation Gonzo Gonzalez and Jo Ann Cruz, with the DARS Division for Blind Services, provided a short presentation regarding the services offered by the organization. The Division for Blind Services assists the blind and/or vision -impaired individuals in gaining independence and job placement. Counseling and guidance is provided to help develop individual potential in the areas of travel, independent living skills, money management, technology, Braille, support systems and vocational development. Mr. Gonzalez asked the Committee for support of the Texas Confidence Builders 6th Annual Foundation for Life Conference which will be held in 2008. The conference is designed to provide information and networking opportunities to families of youth with visual impairments. He also asked if the Committee may be aware of any employers who can provide volunteer and, if possible, paid opportunities for youth especially those who are sixteen years old or older. [Harvey Salinas arrived at 3:57 p.m. establishing a quorum] [Chairperson, Abel Alonzo, proceeded to Item 1. B., Item 3, Item 2.] BANNED 1. Call to Order B. Requests for Excused Absences MOTION To excuse Thomas Dreyer and Rosa Valdez for the June 4, 2008 meeting ,made by Harvey Salinas and seconded by Irene Martinez. Motion passed. Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 06/04/08 Page 2 of 4 3. Public Comments None 2. Approval of Minutes MOTION Motion to approve the minutes as written made by Harvey Salinas and seconded by Irene Martinez. Motion passed. [Harvey Salinas left at 4:00 p.m., no quorum] [Chairperson, Abel Alonzo, proceeded to Item 4. C.] 4. Presentations C. TXDOT Leopard Street Curb Ramp Project Presentation Victor E. Vourcos, P.E., Advance Project Development Engineer with TxDot — Corpus Christi District provided handouts and briefed the Committee on the following: • Project Purpose: Remove Curb Barriers, Install Pedestrian Facilities (Curb Ramps, Detectable Warning Surfaces, Push Buttons and Poles) and Minor Sidewalk Improvements • Project Locations - Highways: IH 37 Frontage Roads, FM 3386 (McKinzie Rd.), FM 24 (Violet Rd.), US 181 Frontage Roads, SS 407 (Leopard St.) • Project Construction: Scheduled to let in March 2009, approximately 1 year to build. • Project Benefits: 206 Intersections Addressed, Over 500 Ramps, Over $1,800,000 worth of improvements [Sally Gavlik arrived at 4:14 p.m.] D. Texas Rehab. Action Network (TRAN) Presentation Ron Sparks, TRAN Co -Statewide Chairman of Membership, provided a brochure and information on the roles of the organization: • Is a Statewide Chapter of a National Organization • Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is funded by the Department of Education under the Special Rehab. Services Act • Brings new life to the way VR is perceived by employers, taxpayers, community leaders and private rehabilitation professionals • Offers services such as continuing education, public awareness, community service projects and networking with peers in the vocational rehabilitation profession • Gives a unified message of commitment to their partners and those they serve For more information, logon to www.thetranweb.orq 5. Chairperson's Report A. Airport ADA Review Update and Letter of Appreciation Chairperson, Abel Alonzo, reported: Airport Director, Fred Segundo, requested an ADA Accessibility Review of Airport facilities. Abel Alonzo, Leon Bazar, Lee Jones and Wanese Butler attended a walk-through inspection and reported that all areas inspected were in compliance. The walk-through included entrances, path of travel, kiosks, covered parking lot, terminals, ticket gate, vending machines, security checkpoint, car rental area counters, food serving area, restrooms and accessible doors. A wrap-up review meeting was later held with Mr. Segundo, Enrique Castillo — Airport Assistant Director and Facility Managers. Recommendations: installing accessible doors with Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 06/04/08 Page 3 of 4 bell/chime to the main administrative office area; review Airport website and include an ADA logo, contact number for use by customers with disabilities and to ensure people with visual impairments are able to view and navigate web pages. Leon Bazar sent a Letter of Appreciation on behalf of the CFPWD to Mr. Segundo for inviting the Committee to the Airport for an ADA Accessibility Review and thanked him for ensuring the facilities are accessible for citizens with disabilities. 6. Staff Reports/Comments A. Human Relations Department 1. Department Monthly Performance Report Leon Bazar provided the Committee members with copies of the May 2008 Human Relations Monthly Performance Report and spoke regarding the following: • EEOC Employment Discrimination Complaints — 4 cases closed • Intakes — 7 referred to EEOC • HUD/Fair Housing Complaint Resolutions — 4 closed • EEOC Charge Write -Ups — 12 completed and sent to SAFO in 8 or less days • EEOC Charge — 2 of 4 closed within 180 days • HUD Fair Housing Complaints — 2 completed within 100 days • Training Sessions and Community Meetings — 6 • ADA Citizen's Complaints (Accessibility) — 6 • Public Accommodation Requests (ADA Trash Pick -Ups) — 7 Mr. Bazar distributed "Making Programs Accessible and Inclusive" handout that is used at City Parks and Recreation Summer Orientation Sessions. The training was developed for new hires to educate them on how to better serve participants with disabilities enrolled in summer programs. B. Engineering Services Department 1. Greenwood Street Project Update Jamie Pyle updated the Committee on the Greenwood Street Project Update. • Project Location - South Padre Island Drive to Trojan Drive • Phase I — 12% of project completed • Phase II — work scheduled to begin end of June • 36 curb ramps will be installed • 13,000 sq. ft. of sidewalk will be installed C. Parks and Recreation Department 1. Summer Recreation Brochure • Billy Delgado reported the following: • The Parks & Recreation Department is currently registering participants for summer programs • Staff is attending New Employee Orientation sessions • Summer programs overview will be discussed next month • Mr. Delgado passed out photos of area park improvements D. Development Services Department 1. Commercial Development(s) ADA Overview Christina Fratilia was absent. No report. Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 06/04/08 Page 4 of 4 [Sally Gavlik left at 4:45 p.m.] 7. Subcommittee Reports A. ADA Title I/Employment Comprehensive Subcommittee No report. B. Engineering Subcommittee Lee Jones reported the Subcommittee met and reviewed plans. Next meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2008, 4:30 p.m., Human Relations Conf. Rm. C. Latchkey Subcommittee No report. 8. Committee Education and Goals Workshop Discussion to be held next month. [Leon Bazar announced the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) Academy is scheduled for October 8, 9 and 10, 2008.] 9. Committee Agenda Item Requests None 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:53 p.m.