HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 11/04/2009Committee For Persons With DisaWfifi
Summary of Minutes for November 4, 20
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Abel Alonzo called the meeting to order at 3:30 p
A. ROLL CALL
Committee Members Present:
Abel Alonzo Herman Lee Jones
Dr. Candelario Huerta Irene Martinez
Carlos Vargas
Committee Members Absent:
Will Hinojosa (Excused) Rosa M. Valdez (Excused)
Staff Members Present:
Leon Bazar (Human Relations) Patsy Garcia (Human Relations)
Johnny Perales (Development Services) Jamie Pyle (Engineering)
Staff Members Absent:
Deborah Brown (Legal)
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•CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
Thomas Dreyer
Harvey Salinas
Leon Upshaw (Parks&Recreation)
REQUESTS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES
MOTION Motion to excuse Rosa Valdez and Will Hinojosa for the November 4, 2009 meeting made by
Lee Jones and seconded by Carlos Vargas. Motion passed.
2. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF 10/07/09
MOTION Motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of 10/07/09 made by Carlos Vargas and
seconded by Irene Martinez.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS (LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES)
• Lee Jones — Mr. Jones stated the RTA Committee on Accessible Transportation has
vacancies. Anyone interested in serving on the Committee may apply by filling out an
Application for Membership form. For more information contact Mr. Jones. (A copy of the application is
attached to the back of the minutes.)
4. PRESENTATIONS — NONE
5. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT — NONE
Mr. Alonzo had no report, however wanted to make a comment. Mr. Alonzo stated he went
before Council and wanted to thank Leon Bazar, Carlos Vargas, Irene Martinez, Wanese
Butler, Patsy Garcia and her kids and the Council Members who attended the Walk and Roll
Celebration. Mr. Alonzo apologized if he forgot to mention anyone else who may have
attended.
6. STAFF REPORTSICOMMENTS
A. Human Relations Department
1. Department Monthly Performance Report
Leon Bazar provided the Committee members with copies of the October 2009 Monthly
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Performance Report. (A copy of the report is attached to the back of the minutes.) Highlights Included:
• Closed 11 EEOC cases
• Closed 8 HUD Fair Housing cases; HUD Fair Housing closures at 76.4% within 100
days to date; highest month of HUD Closures
• EEOC contract closures extended (from 84 in 2009 to 108 for 2010) in contract.
• Participated in multiple Disability Employment Awareness activities (Walk and Roll
and Employer Symposium)
• $48,000 in EEOC Settlements this month
[Johnny Perales arrived at 4:36 p.m.]
2. Disability Employment Awareness Month Activities Update
• Mr. Bazar stated the Walk and Roll Celebration was a great success and
approximately 300 people participated.
• The Employer Symposium was held on October 26th and was a great success.
Representatives from Austin's Governor's Committee, T.R.A.N.S. group from
Lubbock, and the Chairperson of the Texas Coalition for Person's with Disabilities
from Austin attended the event.
3. CFPWD Retreat
Leon Bazar stated December 19th might be an option to schedule the CFPWD retreat.
Mr. Bazar will contact Committee members with further details.
B. Development Services Department
1. Development Services Department Process Improvements
Johnny Perales reported the department will be sending their first staff member out of
town to attend the Registered Accessibility Specialist class/exam. Mr. Perales plans to
bring the department's Action Plan for 2010 to the December Committee meeting.
C. Engineering Services Department
1. Projects Update
Jamie Pyle provided Committee members with an Engineering Services Staff Report
and reviewed the fol lows ng (A copy of the report is attached to the back of the minutes.):
• Projects Under Construction: North Port Avenue (Bond 2004) and Staples Street ADA
Project (Bond 2004)
• A list of other Bond 2004 Projects Under Construction
• Bond 2008 Projects Under Construction
• Projects Under Design: ADA Improvements (Bond 2008), ADA Transition and Master
Plan (Bond 2008) and Staples Street (and Downtown) ADA Project Phase II (Bond
2004)
• A list of other Bond 2008 Projects Under Design
• Parks and Recreation Projects
• RTA Stimulus Bus Stop Landing Pads Project Update
2. ADA Master Plan Contractor Update
Jamie Pyle stated the ADA Transition and Master Plan (Bond 2008) project has been
negotiated and LNV Engineering, Inc. has been selected and their contract will be
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presented to City Council on November 17th
D. Parks and Recreation Department
1. Department of the Interior Update
Leon Upshaw did not have a report regarding the Department of the Interior. Mr.
Upshaw stated Stacie would update the Committee at a later date.
2. Golf Course/STLB Contract
Mr. Upshaw reported a concession contract was awarded to South Texas Lighthouse
for the Blind in June 2009. The Gabe Lozano concession was opened first because the
snack bar had the least amount of maintenance to get it up and running. The second
concession was opened in July at the Oso Golf Course right before a big tournament.
The partnership between the STLB and the City is going very well.
Leon Bazar updated the Committee on the Department of the Interior Update. Mr.
Bazar reported the he and Stacie Talbert had been working on the complaint received
regarding the 115 parks. A report was sent to the DOI and later the city received a letter
stating the city was not compliant. Another letter was sent to the DOI and now Mr.
Bazar and Ms. Talbert are waiting to receive a letter of their evaluation.
Mr. Bazar announced the Director of Parks and Recreation Sally Gavlik will be retiring
at the end of the week.
7. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
A. ADA Title I/Employment Comprehensive Subcommittee — No Report
B. Engineering Subcommittee — No Report
The next Engineering Subcommittee will be held in the Human Relations Conference
Room on Wednesday, November 11th at 4:00 p.m.
8. DISCUSSION AND ACTION — APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES FOR RTA BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
[Harvey Salinas arrived at 4:08 p.m.]
Motion to send a letter from the Committee to the Mayor and City Council asking them to
follow the law as stated in the letter requesting someone who is truly disadvantaged to
serve on the RTA Board made by Dr. Candelario Huerta and seconded by Harvey
Salinas. (A copy of the letter is attached to the back of the minutes.) Mr. Alonzo stated the next RTA appointment will
be in June 2010.
[Irene Martinez left at 4:15 p.m.]
9. IDENTIFY ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA
• Draft letter to Mayor and City Council • Retreat • Engineering Subcommittee Update
• RTA Presentation - overview of additional service changes beginning in January 2010
10. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION Motion to adjourn made by Carlos Vargas and seconded by Harvey Salinas. Motion
passed. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:17 p.m.
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