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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 08/06/2003 SUMMARY MINUTES REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES August 6, 2003 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting called to order by Ms. Crystal Lyons, Committee Chairperson. ATTENDANCE: The roll was called by Ms. Butler: Present Absent Ms. Crystal Lyons Ms. Mary J. Saenz Mr. Roberto M. Flores Ms. Debra Valenzuela Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover Ms. Toni Padilla Mr. Glen Ray Tomo Mr. Billy R. Sayles Mr. Eloy Soza City Staff in attendance: David Ramos and Wanese Butler of Human Relations; Joseph Harney of Legal; Art Sosa of Development Services; and Chris Semtner of Park and Recreation (on behalf of David Ondrias). The Committee had a quorum. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The July 4, 2003 Minutes were reviewed by those Committee Members in attendance. There were no amendments to these minutes, and Mr. Soza made a motion to accept the minutes as presented; Seconded by Mr. Sayles. Vote was taken and motion passed. PRESENTATIONS / PUBLIC COMMENTS: The presentation on "SCOOP" Reporting and Training was initially postponed to commence with the presentation by the City's Engineering Services on ADA Sidewalk projects. The "SCOOP"training was tabled. The City of Corpus Christi Engineering Services' presentation was made by Ms. Mary Francis Teniente, on three ADA Sidewalk Transportation Improvement Projects at Alameda (Louisiana to Doddridge), Sante Fe (Doddridge to Weber) and Weber (Staples to South Padre Island Drive), with next efforts to bring sidewalk and driveway cuts into compliance. The Committee had previously assisted in the initial prioritization of these three projects. Ms. Teniente began the presentation with a brief explanation on the background of these projects and reported on the status of these three projects. At this time, the Engineering Services Department is requesting the Committee's assistance in reprioritizing these three projects due to the costs of these projects now being higher than the appropriated funds; and needing to do so with the upcoming State of Texas Highway Department to let out the project in December 2003. The Committee held general discussion and asked questions. Ms. Teniente further explained that is was not feasible to complete all three projects with the appropriated funding of $1,210,000 since the State of Texas' Highway Department made further requirements, and thus the Engineering Department is seeking the Committee's input on which of the 3 projects would be dropped to allow for the two projects at this time. While clarifying that the $400,000 of bonds is available per Ms. Lyons' question, Ms. Teniente also distributed a handout of three scenarios of keeping only 2 of the 3 projects and funding constraints on local and federal funds. She continued to explain that the constraints are due to expanding these improvements and construction costs, which did not include as many linear feet of sidewalk and driveway that had increased from 1,100 to 1,200 from the MPO. Ms. Teniente responded affirmatively to Mr. Tomo's comment that basically the current project estimates exceed the available funding. Ms. Teniente also referenced that the Highway Department wants more to be done on these projects since TDLR will be reviewing for approval and also that the Highway Department's administrative costs have also increased. She also informed the Committee that all options have not been exhausted, such as asking for more federal funding, but that this would mean more money from the City for the required contribution match; and that the one project to be dropped would have to be resubmitted to the MPO for funding and taken care of by a 3-year window of projects compiled. General discussion ensued about (1) the three scenarios of doing a combination of 2 projects and dropping a 3rd and (2) any funds remaining after only completing 2 of the 3 projects. Ms. Teniente clarified that the City has two choices to address any remaining funds, in that the City use the funds or let it go back to the MPO, i.e.: if the remaining balance is not 2 enough to any project. She also informed the Committee that the actual costs would not be determined until the projects are actually let out. The Committee considered which combination of 2 of the 3 projects may be best, but the Chair, Ms. Lyons expressed concerns that the Committee really did not have enough information before it to recommend which projects to keep and which to drop at this time. Ms. Teniente offered to provide the Committee with a copy of the current TIP with approved ADA projects. For these three projects, the consultant has estimated a 56 percent increase to address the cross slopes and Highway Department requirements. Ms. Fallwell-Stover asked if this Alameda project could be done as a separate project like was done previously on a Staples project through another funding source. Ms. Teniente responded that it would be approximately 3-6 months before Engineering hears back from TDLR on variances submitted, per the Highway Department's district office. If the variances denied, Ms. Teniente indicated that they would have to determine which parts of the projects get accomplished with the $1,210,000. Following questions on variances, Ms. Lyons reminded the Committee that variances are permanent and this is why the amount of time that the TDLR takes on variances is long. Ms. Padilla asked about the timeline for the Committee's response. Ms. Teniente responded today or just as soon as the Committee can due to the Texas Highway Department asking for a decision from the City in preparation of the State preparing to let out the projects in December 2003. The Committee was still concerned at this juncture to select only 2 of the 3 projects to be done, but agreed that Alameda is probably the most important given the numerous medical and service facilities. PUBLIC COMMENT DURING ENGINEERING PRESENTATION: Mr. David Pursley offered that this project is a good example of the proposed non-discrimination ordinance. He also indicated that no variances should be done and rather that full accessibility must be done and not postponed, per the proposed ordinance to bring the city into accessibility. Mr. Abel Alonzo expressed concerns of safety and encouraged the Committee not to make a recommendation and to leave this decision up to the City Council. 3 The Committee resumed its discussions. MOTION: A motion was made by Ms. Lyons that the Committee declares of the three ADA Sidewalk Transportation Improvement Projects that the one on Alameda Street (Louisiana to Doddridge) is the most important section; and that this Committee declaration does not include funding. This motion was Seconded by Mr. Soza. There were no further concerns. A vote was taken and the motion passed. Ms. Lyons further clarified that the Committee made no decision to prioritize these three projects due to incomplete information pending the TDLR's decision on the variances. Mr. Tomo requested a copy of a matrix of project data. Ms. Teniente agreed to do so through the Human Relations Department. Ms. Lyons then suggested that with the matrix from the City's Engineering Department and also TDLR's decision on variances, and then the Committee would be willing to consider making a recommendation on these three projects. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Outreach/Awareness Sub-Committee: No report at this time. B. Legislative Sub-Committee: Ms. Lyons and Ms. Padilla reported on three comments. In response to the City Council directive for more public input from potentially impacted parties, the Committee scheduled four additional public meetings, monthly between August —November 2003: Thursday. 8/21/03 at 6:00 PM, Thursday, 9/11/03 at 10:00 AM, Saturday, 10/11/03 at 2:00 PM and Tuesday, 11/4/03 at 10:00 AM. The desired meeting location is the City Council Chambers, yet to be scheduled with the City Secretary's Office by the Human Relations staff— Ms. Butler. [Ms. Padilla, Ms. Fallwell-Stover, and Mr. Harney departed at approximately 5:07 PM] OLD BUSINESS: A. Parking Brochure: Mr. Ramos indicated that there was more updated information on signage with fines. Mr. Flores and Human Relations staff are to meet before the fall 2003 school semester begins to finalize the draft brochure. 4 B. House Bill on $1 Surcharge Fee on Utility Bills for ADA: No update at this time. C. BJA 2004 Awards: The Chair, Ms. Lyons, asked for Committee member volunteers to begin meeting monthly (less than a quorum) on planning the event and to report back to the full Committee. Mr. Ramos shared a message of encouragement to having the BJA in Corpus Christi. The message was from Roland Garza, Governor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities- San Antonio, Texas. D. Transition Plan Update: Mr. Ramos provided an update: (1) With the City's new fiscal year beginning in August, Human Relations will be informing City departments by letter to proceed on purchasing procedure for the budgeted transition plan items; and (2) Staff preparing for Department Head sensitivity and ADA training. E. Arena Accessibility: Upcoming letter for scheduling a meeting with Mr. Torno and arena architects (project manager) on plans and the programs will be address through the Assistant City Manager overseeing this -Mr. Jorge Cruz-Aedo. NEW BUSINESS: A. Update of Committee Contact Information: Mr. Flores provided his new email address of: RMF82 r,grandecom.net Ms. Lyons also asked if any Committee Members were interested in discussing BJA 2004 in a lunch meeting format. Mr. Soza responded that he was interested in assisting on this event and could meeting at lunchtime. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Jack commented that he was pleased in the City Council's passing of the First Reading on the proposed non- discrimination ordinance. The meeting was adjourned at 5:29 PM. utes Approved: 9- 3- D3 Crys I Lyons, CoMmittee Chairperson Date 5