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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 12/03/2008Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 12/03/08 Page 1 of 3 E 1. Call to Order was at 3:30 p.m. by Chairperson, Abel Alonzo. JAN 1"I A. Roll Call was taken, establishing a quorum: In Attendance CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE CFPWD: Abel Alonzo, Thomas Dreyer, Herman Lee Jones, Irene Martinez, J Harvey Salinas, Carlos Vargas STAFF: Leon Bazar, Patsy Garcia, (Human Relations) Billy Delgado (parks and Recreation) Jaime Pyle (Engineering Services) Yvette Ag u i I a r (Legal) Absent CFPWD: David Walker, Rosa Valdez (Excused) STAFF: Johnny Perales (Development Services) B. Requests for Excused Absences MOTION Motion to excuse David Walker and Rosa Valdez for the 12/03/08 meeting made by Harvey Salinas and seconded by Lee Jones. Motion passed. [Carlos Vargas arrived at 3:31 pm.] [Billy Delgado arrived at 3:34 p.m.] [Yvette Aguilar arrived at 3:34 p.m.] [Mr. Alonzo introduced new Committee Member Carlos Vargas.] 2. Approval of Minutes MOTION Chairperson, Abel Alonzo, called for Approval of Minutes. Motion to approve the 10/01/08 minutes made by Harvey Salinas and seconded by Lee Jones. Motion passed. 3. Public Comments (Limited to 3 Minutes) None [Mr. Alonzo continued the meeting with Item #5A] 5. Chairperson's Report A. Governor's CFPWD Annual Employment Awards Leon Bazar reported the Governor's Committee for People with Disabilities announced the 2008 Annual Employment Awards on October 30, 2008. The Governor's press release states that employers and organizations are recognized based on excellence in hiring practice and contributions to the employment and empowerment of disabled Texans. The 2008 recipients are: Governor's Trophy — David Ondich, ADA Coordinator for the City of Fort Worth Large Employer of the Year — Walgreen's Company, Waxahachie Distribution Center Medium Employer of the Year — HEB Store #11, Austin Small Employer of the Year — Computers Made Easy, Fort Worth Entrepreneurship Award — Terry Shimazu, Austin, musical performer Martha Arbuckle Award — Austin Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities Mr. Bazar stated the Committee will look at setting up a local level recognition program for employers and businesses being pro -active about ADA. SCANNED Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 12/ v3/08 Page 2 of 3 6. Staff Reports/Comments A. Human Relations Department 1. Department Monthly Performance Report Leon Bazar provided the Committee with copies of the November 2008 report. Mr. Bazar highlighted several ADA Accessibility Grievances and reported the department also received the following in the month of November: • ADA Citizen Accessibility Complaints — 5 • Public Accommodation Requests — 9 • ADA Trash Pick-up — 4 requests to start service [Harvey Salinas left at 3:43 p.m.] 2. Handout and Brief Review of ADA as Amended for Future Presentation Leon Bazar reported he, Abel Alonzo and Wanese Butler participated in a web teleconference on ADA law sponsored by the Independent Living Research Utilization Center in Houston, Texas. The ADA Amended Law has been amended and will be effective January 1, 2009. Wanese Butler provided the Committee with a handout indicating issues, ADA law (as construed by the courts) and ADA law as Amended by the ADA Amendments Act. Ms. Butler explained that over the years there has been court interpretation that narrowed the scope and definitions and the amendment broadens the Supreme Court definitions of disability. Although some information is readily available, more will be available in the near future. Once the Human Relations Department receives more information, the department plans to place the item on the agenda and present a fifteen to twenty minute presentation to the Committee. B. Engineering Services Department 1. Summary/Overview of November 18, 2008 Council Approved Ramp Project Jamie Pyle provided copies of three street maps that indicate where overly projects will be constructed throughout the City of Corpus Christi. Ms. Pyle reported that the City has become proactive in including curb ramps as part of the project. There will be approximately 150 curb ramps built or rebuilt along the designated streets and the City will ensure all streets will consist of accessible routes. 2. City Crosswalks Guidelines Discussion Jamie Pyle briefly reviewed the crosswalk criteria: • Crosswalks are installed at signal light intersections if the intersection is accessible (must have curb ramps and sidewalks) • Crosswalks are installed at job sites, school zones, hospital zones, public facilities Discussion continued of crosswalks and Engineering and Streets Department actions relative to new construction and maintenance of crosswalks. It was agreed that a future meeting would be held of the Engineering Subcommittee with Engineering and possibly Streets to discuss more details on crosswalk guidelines and a report due to the CFPWD. Committee for Persons with Disabilities Summary Minutes — 12iu3/08 Pate 3 of 3 C. Parks and Recreation Department 1. Overview of 2008 Bond Approved Parks Projects Billy Delgado provided a handout referencing an article that was published by the Corpus Christi Caller Times on October 14, 2008. Mr. Delgado briefly reported the Parks and Recreation Department received a total of $21.6 million dollars. The projects include improvements at fifteen recommended neighborhood parks, sports lighting facilities and other park areas. Mr. Delgado also reported that there will be a new fully accessible playground area at the Miracle League Field near the Corpus Christi State School. [Mr. Alonzo continued with Item #4] 4. Presentations A. Special Needs Evacuation (Hurricane Ike): Randy Sijansky/Billy Delgado Randy Sijansky did not attend the Committee meeting. Mr. Delgado offered to provide the Committee with a brief report; however, Mr. Alonzo expressed his disappointment and continued the meeting with Item #7. 7. Subcommittee Reports A. ADA Title I/Employment Comprehensive Subcommittee No report. B. Engineering Subcommittee —10/27/08 Meeting Summary No report. C. Latchkey Subcommittee No report. 8. Identify Items to be placed on next Agenda • Development of a Subcommittee for recognizing employers. • Selection of a Nominating Committee to review the appointment recommendation for CFPWD vacancy. 9. Adjournment MOTION Motion to adjourn was made by Irene Martinez and second in unison. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:28 p.m.