HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2008-06-04DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. June 4, 2008
PRESENT:
DAC Chair — Roberts
DAC Members:
Wendy Skinner
David McElrath
Kendrick Kemp
George Eberhardt
Otis Jackson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Recreation and Support Services Intern — Siobhan Whalen
City Clerk — Julie Conley Holcomb
EXCUSED:
DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski
Charlie Dorsey
Erin Sember
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the May 7, 2008 Disability Advisory Council meeting minutes was deferred
until the July 2, 2008 meeting.
UPDATES_
Accessibility Map
Chair Roberts reported that Siobhan Whalen will be the DAC's main contact on this
project. Ms. Whalen noted that she has not yet had an opportunity to meet with Asst.
Civil Engineer Lynn Yost to discuss this issue.
Accessible America
Chair Roberts reported that the sub - committee working on this project has decided that
the City should apply for this competition in October, 2008. Another meeting of the sub-
committee is scheduled immediately following this meeting. He noted that Asst. Civil
Engineer Lynn Yost and Information Management Specialist Sarah Myers have been
very helpful with this initiative. City departments have been asked to submit a list of
projects that they are working on so the information can be added to the application.
Asst. Civil Engineer Yost is in the process of collecting more information about the
program such as: does the City need to belong to the National Organization on
Disabilities (NOD) to participate in the competition and whether our City is large enough
to participate. Past award recipients have been large cities such as Houston, Texas.
Handicapped Parking Education Program
DAC Member Wendy Skinner reported that she met with Tompkins County Public
Information Officer Marcia Lynch to brainstorm ideas and models for an educational
campaign. They developed several draft logos, slogans /tag lines and Ms. Skinner
distributed copies for the Council's review.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding using the term "handicapped" parking as
opposed to using the term "accessible" parking. One idea was to use the universal
parking symbol without using words to describe the type of parking.
Further discussion occurred regarding how to disseminate the information including
public service announcements, print ads, and signs. Another idea was to see if this
information could be included in the freshman orientation program materials that are
sent to incoming Cornell and Ithaca College students.
Proposal to Common Council to Increase Handicapped Parking Violation Fines
Chair Roberts questioned what type of data needs to be compiled to validate the
request to increase fines for people who illegally park in handicapped parking spaces.
The Council suggested data on how many tickets are issued; how many tickets are
dismissed; how many are repeat offenders; what are other municipalities charging for
similar violations and what their results have been.
Chair Roberts stated that he would invite City Chamberlain Debra Parson to attend the
July 2, 2008 meeting to discuss this issue further.
City Clerk Holcomb noted that the City will be starting a new community newsletter
initiative this summer and she would be happy to see that an awareness piece is
included in one of the first issues.
Gimme Coffee — Counter Height
DAC Member Otis Jackson reported that the compliance with ADA regulations is not
applicable to Gimme Coffee however the New York State building codes are. They
owners of Gimme Coffee will be modifying the design (height) of their counter to meet
code regulations.
Chair Roberts suggested that a representative from the Building Department be invited
to a future DAC meeting to discuss the enforcement of ADA requirements.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.
Julie Conley Holcomb, CIVIC Larry Roberts
City Clerk Chair, DAC