HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 05/05/2021COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Summary of Minutes for Meeting on May 5, 2021
Via WebEx
CHAIRPERSON COMMITTEE MEMBERS ADMINSTRATRIVE STAFF
Anthony Navarrette (ENG, ARP) Dr. Anthony Zoccolillo (CVI) Tracey Lawson – Human Resources
VICE CHAIRPERSON Christina Buttler (PSA, ARP) Lisa Oliver – Parks and Recreation
Vanessa Nisbet (ARP, PSA) Huxley Smith (ENG) Mai Bernal – Engineering Services
SECRETARY Jennifer Gracia (CVI) Michael Dice – Development Serv.
Melanie Gomez (PSA) Dr. Jennifer Scott (CVI) Kristyn Dixon - CCPD
Dirk Hillard (PSA) Lisa Aguilar - Legal
1. Call to order @ 3:00pm
2. Moment of Reflection – Conducted
3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and Texas (waived due to WebEx)
4. Roll Call:
a. Roll Call:
i. Committee Members Present Anthony Navarrette, Melanie Gomez, Vanessa Nisbet, Dr. Anthony Zoccolillo, Christina
Buttler, Huxley Smith, Jennifer Gracia, Dr. Jennifer Scott, Dirk Hillard
ii. Committee Members Absent – None
iii. Staff Members Present – Mai Bernal (Engineering Services), Lisa Oliver (Parks and Recreation), Kristyn Dixon (CCPD
Parking Control)
iv. Staff Members Absent – Tracey Lawson (Human Resources), Michael Dice (Development Services), Lisa Aguilar (Legal)
b. Requests and approvals for Excused Absences – None
Motion – N/A Second – N/A Action – N/A
5. Minutes – Minutes approved
Motion – Dr. Anthony Zoccolillo Second – Huxley Smith Action – Motion Passed
6. Public Comments – None
7. Presentations (Limited to 10 minutes):
a. Work Force Solutions of the Coastal Bend (WFSCB) Career Center Services – Hope Frances Rangel
Hope Rangel provided information of the services provided by WFSCB. Advised that Sunrise Mall location has been shut down
and only location available at this time is the Staples location across from City Hall. Advised that virtual services can be provided
as well as in-person services. Training scholarships are available for careers in business, health care, professional skills and trade
and public service. Other services offered are job matches, career ready workforce certification program, career coaching and
workshops with priority to veterans and foster youth. The SEAL (Summer Earn and Learn) program is for youth ages 16-22 and
provides employment opportunities in 11 different counties. Background checks and drug testing vary based on the employer.
Dirk Hillard requested to collaborate with WFSCB in hiring persons who are deaf and/or hard of hearing. Anthony Navarrette
also offered to assist in helping with advocating for persons with disabilities or to help the program be successful in hiring
persons with disabilities. More information can be found on their website: www.workforcesolutionscb.org.
b. Texas Workforce Solutions – Vocational Rehabilitations Services – Vanessa Vera
Vanessa Vera, Business Relations Coordinator, and Megan Bennett, Community Outreach and Awareness Specialist, provided
an overview of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Business Relations in Vocational Rehabilitation Services. This
program helps people with disabilities prepare, enter, engage in and advance in employment. It also assists businesses and
employers to recruit, retain and accommodate employees with disabilities. Several services are available to those who are
determined eligible through their process. Training, coaching, transportation, assistive technology, medical services and job
placement services are just a few examples of services provided. Vocational Rehabilitation referrals can contact the call center
at 512-936-6400. Employers that are community partners are provided with several services as well, such as disability
awareness education and training, worksite analysis, accommodation assessments and referral of qualified applicants. Anthony
Navarrette offered to assist with advocating for this program as well. Anthony suggested reaching out to Leadership Corpus
Christi.
c. Corpus Christi Tennis Association – Wheelchair Tennis Program – Megan Gordon
Megan Gordon explained the wheelchair tennis program that is offered by the Corpus Christi Tennis Association and mentioned
the need for coaches with knowledge and comfort to teach persons with disabilities. It is a free program and will be offered
twice a year. One of her goals is to try and spread the word and get more participation. The program is geared towards adults
at the moment but is not opposed to having youth involved as well. Several committee members suggested a variety of ways to
get this information out to the community. Another goal would be to obtain one or two specialized wheelchairs for those who
only have a standard wheelchair but want to participate in the program.
8. Staff Reports for the period:
a. Human Resources – Tracey Lawson was unable to attend the meeting but did provide a report. The Health Department was
contacted regarding the lack of communication for the deaf and hard of hearing community at vaccinations sites. Dr. Dante
Gonzalez, the City’s Assistant Director of Health, agreed that initially there was a lack of written communication and signage
available to the public but that over the past few months, improvements have been made. Signage displays that walk citizens
through the process, such as sign in, wait time, where to go, documents to have available, type of vaccine and age
requirements, are now available. Dr. Gonzalez recognizes that there is still a gap in phone communication but improvement
opportunities are continuously being reviewed.
b. Development Services Dept. – No updates. Michael Dice was unable to attend the meeting.
c. Engineering Services – Mai Bernal provided an update on the Residential Street Rebuild Program. Currently there are 15 streets
on this program. Discussion on the Village of the Green subdivision and lack of sidewalks. Mai explained that sidewalks will be
put in accordingly when the streets in that area start to get rebuild.
d. Parks and Recreation Dept. – No updates. Lisa Oliver was unable to attend the meeting.
e. CCPD Parking Control – Kristyn Dixon provided the number of citations issued for the month of April. Citations included 48 for
disabled parking violations, 30 blocking the architectural design and 117 blocking the sidewalks. Open discussion regarding how
violations are reported. Advised that can provide number of citations for other violations such as blocking fire hydrants,
blocking crosswalks or parking too close to a traffic sign. Provided the number for Parking Control, 361-826-3003 for reporting
violations.
9. Subcommittee Reports:
a. Engineering Subcommittee (ENG) – No updates but did follow up on a situation that was brought to Anthony’s attention
regarding no sidewalks in the Village of the Green subdivision.
b. Public Service Announcement Subcommittee (PSA) – Vanessa Nisbet shared the Parking PSA with the committee. Tracey will
be providing contact information to a staff member who can assist with re-recording the audio. Once that is complete, it can be
placed on City’s website.
c. Accessible Recreation Playgrounds Subcommittee (ARP) – No updates. Anthony Navarrette reminded members to keep
thinking of ideas for inclusive parks.
d. Community Volunteer Involvement Subcommittee (CVI) – Anthony Navarrette tried to contact Driscoll Children’s Hospital
regarding a toy drive. Still looking for ideas and trying to determine any limitations, if any. Catch A Special Thrill (C.A.S.T. for
Kids) will be coming up in August. Information was sent out to committee members.
10. Chairperson’s Report:
a. Round Table Discussion –
i. Annual Project – Anthony Navarrette asked committee members for ideas for an annual project at the last meeting.
Dr. Jennifer Scott suggested a mass survey to the community to determine what needs and/or gaps there are for
persons with disabilities. Dr. Scott has a contact at TAMU-CC that is willing to assist with developing and distributing a
survey. Open discussion regarding the survey. Dirk Hillard suggested a beach day event geared towards the deaf and
hard of hearing community. Also suggested a way to educate the deaf and hard of hearing community to assist with
locating water leaks in the home. Dr. Scott suggested educating the community, especially first responders, with
sensitivity training on how to handle situations that involve someone with a disability. Dirk and Jennifer Gracia
advised that they are doing research regarding Closed Captioning and how we can have local bars and restaurants
have that option on at all times.
Motion to approve the following projects: Survey, Beach Day and Closed Captioning Campaign
Motion – Melanie Gomez Second – Huxley Smith Action – Motion Passed
ii. Subcommittee Assignments – Anthony Navarrette asked committee members to review their subcommittee
assignments and make any changes if necessary. No changes requested at this time. Anthony reminded committee
members that assisting other subcommittees is allowed and encouraged. Need to establish primary and secondary
contacts for each subcommittee. Will continue to discuss at next meeting.
iii. CFPWD Logo Review – Anthony Navarrette asked for any ideas for a new logo that represents the committee’s goal
and purpose. Ideas can be presented at next meeting. Discussion regarding the committee’s website and how it can
be reestablished or how administrative rights can be obtained. Melanie Gomez will attempt to contact the current
administrators to try and make those changes.
11. Identify Items to be placed on next Agenda:
a. Review subcommittee assignments, reassign committee members and establish primary and secondary contacts– continued
b. Discuss progress on annual committee projects - continued
c. Discuss changing the logo and review alternate logo proposals – continued
d. Anthony Navarrette requested a presentation from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center and Dr. Jennifer Scott agreed to
present on her program, Choice Living Community.
12. Motion to Adjourn @ 5:20pm
Motion – Huxley Smith Second – Christina Buttler Action – Motion Passed