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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 06/07/2006 CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI-COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Summary Minutes for the Meeting of June 7, 2006 I. The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 3:34 PM. A. Roll call: Present Committee Members: Linda Faliwell-Stover, Abel Alonzo, James Duerr, Eloy Soza, Brian Watson, Toni Padilla Post Roll Call Arrivals: David Walker, Robert Flores Absent Committee Members: Mary Saenz Present Staff Members: Leon Bazar, April Moffett, George Oresco for Alonzo Garza, Lupe Rocha Public: Crystal Lyons B. Excused Absences: II. Approval of Minutes: Meeting of May 3, 2006 MOTION: Eloy Soza moved to approve the minutes as written with a second by Abel Alonzo. The motion passed. III. Presentation and Public Comments: Public Comments: Crystal Lyons Crystal Lyons made reference the public comments that were made at last month's meeting by Michael Tone and John Taylor regarding the Citizens Police Academy. She stated that Accessible Coalition of the Coastal Bend would like to know the requirements for a person to be on the Police Academy. The Chairperson stated that she has requested requirement information from Leon Bazar regarding the Police Academy. Leon Bazar informed the Committee that he has requested the information; however, there has been no response to his inquiry. Crystal Lyons then stated that this Committee needs to ensure that discrimination does not exist when people are being selected to volunteer for the Citizens Police Academy. Abel Alonzo voiced his concern that Acting Police Chief Bung excludes this Committee from City projects like the Citizens Police Academy. The Chairperson stated that she feels that it is very disturbing for this Committee to be left out of City policy changes. She further stated she feels that there would be less communication breakdown if all of the City Staff members were present at the Committee for Persons with Disabilities Meetings. Presentation: Norma Urban, Downtown Management District La Retama Park Redevelopment CFPWD 060706 1 The purpose of this project is to enhance the unique portion of the downtown district and encourage redevelopment by creating clarity of organization and circulation and access. The second purpose is to preserve and restore downtown's open space by responding to the needs for ADA compliance and requirements and recognizing the historical value of La Retama Park. The Third purpose is to create a destination and landmark in the community by creating shaded tree-lined pedestrian linkages, re-establish the park as a gathering place and by unique design elements to create identity of the park. Ms. Urban also stated, in her presentation, that the potential partners for this project are: RTA, City of Corpus Christi —Bond 2004 for Downtown Streetscapes, City of Corpus Christi—ADA Improvements Bond 2004, Downtown Management District, and Outside Grants for the Arts. (The Chairperson the deferred the meeting to the Engineering Report) IV. Chairperson's Report: (Discussion, with possible action): • The Chairperson spoke to Pat Pound of the Texas Governor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities. Ms. Pound has asked this Committee to host the 2007 Barbara Jordan Media Awards. The event will be in April of 2007. MOTION: Eloy Soza moved for the Committee for Persons with Disabilities to host the April 2007 Barbara Jordan Media Awards with a second by Abel Alonzo. Eloy Soza called the question. The motion passed. • The Chairperson informed the Committee about the July 27th Sprit of the ADA awards. The Chairperson requested for Committee members to submit their nominations in for this award. Leon Bazar informed the Committee members that the Human Relations Department will be purchasing a table for this event. She has asked the Committee members to nominate someone to receive the award by the June 12, 2006. • Citizens Police Academy The Chairperson stated that she would like a follow-up on the academy. She would like to see the people from this Committee that were involved in the academy be involved in monitoring the program. V. Subcommittee Reports: (Discussion, with possible action): A. ADA Title I /Employment Comprehensive: none B. Engineering Subcommittee - Lupe Rocha Discussion began upon hearing where the funding would come from for the La Retama Project. The Chairperson then requested Lupe Rocha to present his Engineering Report to the Committee. CFPWU 060706 2 After much discussion among the Committee members, Lupe Rocha reminded the Committee members that Bond money used for downtown projects has to be within the City's right-of-way. He also reminded the Committee that this Committee has already submitted a transition plan to City Council and if the Committee would like to change it, the Committee would have to go back to City Council. Leon Bazar also stated that the Committee needed to prove Lupe Rocha with a recommended route for people to be able to move around the downtown area. Lupe reviewed with the Committee Project#1 of the Transition Plan —Buford to North of IH37; Shoreline Blvd. —north/south; Water Street—north/south North Chaparral—from Buford toll-137 and Mesquite—east/west. Leon Bazar also stated that he and David Walker, Committee for Persons with Disabilities Engineering Subcommittee, did walk the downtown area and has recommendations for a route of travel. Leon Bazar's recommendations are: (Viewing Map) Starting at the Prince Apartments, go left down Water Street to the Police Station. Go north for one block to Nueces Appraisal District Building and then go right go pass the Frost Building to the Jones Building. Go north for two blocks around the park, and down People Street south to Chaparral. Continue down Chaparral to the bus station then go south of the bus station back to Water Street. The Chairperson then stated there is a recommendation for a route of travel and she then asked for a motion. MOTION: Eloy Soza moved to accept the route of travel for Project#1 of the Transition Plan, (downtown), that Leon Bazar, Director of the Human Relations Department recommended to the Committee in support of the La Retama Park Project and the commitment to universal access in design with a second by David Walker. The motion passed. (Deferred to Chairperson's Report) VI. Staff Reports / Comments: (Discussion, with possible action): A. Non-Discrimination Ordinance: none • Unified Code of Ordinances Leon Bazar issued a handout entitled Common ADA Errors and Omissions in New Construction and Alterations. He then stated that the Unified Code of Ordinance will affect any building that is built in the City of Corpus Christi: parks, sidewalks, curb ramps, etc. He recommended a Special Called Meeting from 4:00 PM to 6:00 pm on June 21, 2006 in the City Council Chambers. Leon CFPWD 060706 3 Bazar also suggested having Michael Gunning and the Department of Development Services at the Special Called Meeting. • The American Council for the Blind of Texas will be hosting a convention here in Corpus Christi. The convention will be held September 15— 17, 2006. The Human Relations Department will give the Committee more information as is becomes available. • The Disabled Veterans will be hosting a convention here in Corpus Christi. Leon Bazar did not have the exact date. He will give more information as it becomes available. • Coalition of Texans with Disabilities will be hosting a convention in from September 22—24, 2006. • DARS will plan a major event in October. They have asked the Committee to be apart of their event. • Leon Bazar stated that the City does not have accessible transportation at the airport. La Fleur Transportation has agreed to assist the City with this issue. B. Other Items: 1. Curb Ramp Projects — Individual Curb Ramp Guidelines and Prioritization Recommendations Update: None. 2. Park and Recreation Outreach Marketing Effort- Maureen Mahoney: None. 3. Development Services Key Projects - Initiatives Update: George Oresco: None. VI. Old Business: None. VII. New Business: Mr. Brian Watson's Letter of Concern regarding Committee member Abel Alonzo: Although Brian Watson issued the letter to Committee members as New Business, he requested to speak to the Chairperson and the Director of Human Relations, Leon Bazar regarding the content of the letter on requesting the removal of Abel Alonzo from this Committee. James Duerr stated, for the record, that he has enjoyed working with both Brian Watson and Abel Alonzo and he supports Abel Alonzo. Leon Bazar stated that the Human Relations Department does not have any input to the appointments to this Committee. VIII. Committee Concerns / Request for Agenda Items: Concern: None. Agenda Items: • The Committee is requesting for Acting Police Chief Bung for next month's meeting. CFPWD 060706 4 • The Committee is requesting for Peter Davidson/Marina Department to conduct a presentation at next month's meeting X. Announcements: There will be a Special Called Meeting from 4:00 PM—6:00 PM on June 21, 2006 regarding The Proposed Unified Development Code. Xl. Adjournment: MOTION: David Walker moved to adjourn the meeting with a second by Eloy Soza. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 PM. Chairperson Date CFPWD 060706 5