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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2008-08-06DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. August 6, 2008 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski DAC Members: David McElrath Charlie Dorsey Erin Sember OTHERS PRESENT: Director of Tompkins County Human Services Dept. — Swayze Historic Planner and Staff Liaison — Chatterton City Chamberlain — Parsons Information Management Specialist — Myers Rayleigh Lei — FLIC Intern EXCUSED: DAC Members Skinner, Jackson, Kemp, Eberhardt APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the June 4, 2008 and July 2. 2008 Regular Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution By DAC Member Sember: Seconded by DAC Member Gizewski RESOLVED, That the minutes of the June 4, 2008 and July 2, 2008 Regular Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved as published. Carried (DAC Member McElrath — abstained from vote) NEW BUSINESS: Handicapped Parking — Discussion with City Chamberlain Parsons City Chamberlain Parsons distributed information to the Council regarding handicap parking violations from 1999 to present. It included the number of tickets issued, the fine, late penalty, surcharge, bad check fee, dismissed tickets, paid tickets, and unpaid tickets. The surcharge that is collected from handicap parking violations can be used for public education. She stated that she had hoped that Officer Randy Sterling could attend the meeting to explain what criteria he uses when he receives appeals for these types of violations, however his schedule on Wednesdays does not allow him to attend these meetings. She noted that she would provide Chair Roberts with Officer Sterling's e -mail address so that he could get the information regarding why tickets are dismissed or the fines reduced for this type of violation. She explained that a number of the tickets are dismissed when they are appealed because the person forgot to hang their permit before leaving their car and they possess a valid handicap - parking permit. She noted that City Court takes these types of violations very seriously. She noted that fines currently in place are as follow: $50 for the 1St offense, $80 for the 2nd offense, and $105 for the 3 rd offense. The maximum allowed fines in New York State for this type of August 6, 2008 violation are as follows: $150.00 for the 1 st offense, $300.00 for the 2nd offense, and $450.00 for the 3rd offense) so the City of Ithaca has quite a bit of leeway if it wanted to increase its fines. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the fines that are in place currently for the City of Ithaca and what types of increases in the amount of the fines that the Council would like to propose to Common Council. Further discussion followed on the need to have new signage that would indicate to parkers the potential fine they face if they chose to park in a handicap spot which might deter many of the violators and what is legal for signage in New York State. Further discussion followed regarding the possibility of requesting the Ithaca Police Department doing random sweeps of various public parking lots during high use times such as graduation, Thanksgiving, Christmas time for violators to help deter people from parking illegally, in addition to changing signage to reflect the fines Chair Roberts reported that New York State has recently passed legislation that would allow handicap permit holders to apply for an exemption from having to pay parking meter fees. If someone is handicap and cannot feed the meter themselves and has a current handicap permit they would be able to apply for this exemption through their local clerk. If someone else is in the vehicle with the handicap person and can feed the meter then the exemption would not apply. He stated that he thought a public service announcement might be in order to let people know about this relatively new exemption as well as further education to people about the need to keep handicap spaces open for those people who have permits. Traffic Calming Around Titus Towers: DAC Member McElrath reported to the Council that he attended a meeting recently with Traffic Engineer Logue and Engineering Aid Johnson at Titus Towers to discuss problems with Wood Street where the park is located and the speed bump is in place. He explained that there have been complaints about it being bad for vehicles and that it does not deter people from speeding. He also stated that Ithaca Fire Department has complained about the box of rocks by Titus Towers II entrance, which was supposed to be temporary, and has become permanent (because of driveway relocation) and what it would take to remove it and install a different type of traffic calming device. He stated that staff would be taking recommendations to Common Council for their consideration and one of the recommendations is the installation of a four -way stop sign, which residents at Titus Towers have approved. Chair Roberts stated that the DAC is very interested in any traffic calming measures being proposed and would like to continue to be actively involved with traffic calming initiatives and /or devices. He further stated that the DAC generally supports traffic - calming devices and is pleased that the City went to Titus Towers to talk to residents. He requested that DAC McElrath and staff liaison Chatterton find out the final recommendations and report back to the Council at its next meeting. 61 August 6, 2008 ADA Survey Update Discussion with Historic Planner /DAC Liaison for ADA Chatterton Staff Liaison Chatterton explained that the City did its first self- assessment in 1985 and with the passage of the ADA in 1990 it had to re -do it and include anything that might have been missed with the initial assessment. The City hired an outside consultant to conduct the survey. She stated that the goal now is to see how much of the 1992 goals /recommendations /requirements have been accomplished and what are some new programs that might have initiated since then. She explained that she has the initial survey and that she would recommend sending it back to department heads to update as the first step in the process. DAC Chair Roberts suggested that in addition to asking department heads to update what has been addressed since 1992 that they should explain if there are new programs or facilities i.e. the city's website that are in place to help meet ADA requirements. He explained that this process will fit nicely into the work that needs to be done to complete the Access America Grant application; which he is not sure will be submitted this year or next at this point. Discussion followed on the floor as to whether there is any mechanism in place by which the City can monitor for compliance with ADA requirements i.e. for businesses, hotels, etc. as well as for new construction taking place. Staff Liaison Chatterton explained that the City does notify people about calling the Clerk's office to make accommodations ahead of time if they wish to attend a meeting at City Hall. In addition, the City also requires that events such as the Ithaca Festival, make accommodations for people with disabilities in their programming and planning. The Council supported Staff Liaison Chatterton's suggestion for initiating the ADA survey by distributing it to department heads to update and then bringing it back for the Council to review and make recommendations. Updates: Chair Roberts stated that he would work with Building Commissioner Radke to invite a code inspector to attend a meeting of the DAC in September or October to talk about how ADA requirements are addressed with housing /building code requirements. He stated that he would also make efforts to ensure that the Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Boards think about minimum ADA requirements and how to make real the City's commitment to allow people with disabilities to participate in drafting language in documents and vision statements. He stated that he would like to see that the disability issues are not just a concern of the Disability Advisory Council but to all City boards and committees. Vice Chair Gizewski stated that he would like all the City's boards and committees to know that there are DAC liaisons willing and able to participate in their meetings for input if they desire. '43 August 6, 2008 Chair Roberts stated that he would be attending the next Senior Staff meeting to talk about the Access America Grant application and that the Mayor supports this initiative. He further stated that he would update the Council after that meeting and work to get an updated map. Chair Roberts distributed a letter from Jason Anderson a disabled person in the community who wrote to Rick Manning to provide input in the Cayuga Waterfront Trail initiative concerning making sure there are accommodations for disabled people as plans are being developed. Chair Roberts asked the Council if they thought Mr. Anderson might be a candidate for the DAC and they agreed. Chair Roberts announced that he has been asked to be part of the committee that will be looking at the City's Comprehensive Plan. DAC Member Sember announced that she has a new job at Cornell University ILR School as Technical Assistance Specialist. She distributed her new business card and information about the program her office runs. FLIC Intern Rayleigh Lei announced that there would be a game day held at Finger Lakes Independence Center on Thursday, August 14, 2008 from noon to 3 pm. and that there would be free food, games and that everyone was invited to attend and learn about the Center. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC Il