HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2009-04-01DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. April 1, 2009
PRESENT:
DAC Chair — Roberts
DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski
DAC Members:
David McElrath
George Eberhardt
Erin Sember
Otis Jackson
EXCUSED:
Jason Anderson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Information Management Specialist — Myers
Nicole Tedesco, TCAT Project Manager for Route Changes
Nancy Oltz — TCAT — Service Development
Joann Cornish — Director of Planning and Development
Leslie Chatterton — Historic Planner and ADA Liaison for City of Ithaca
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
By DAC Member Jackson: Seconded by DAC Member Eberhardt
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the March 4, 2009 Disability Advisory Council meeting
be approved.
Carried
(DAC Chair Roberts abstained from voting)
NEW BUSINESS:
Presentation by TCAT (Highlighting Changes to TCAT's Transportation
Development Plan)
Ms. Tedesco distributed information to DAC members regarding proposed changes to
many TCAT routes. She provided the DAC with some background history of the work to
this point involving a consultant hired by TCAT to review all the transportation studies
that had been done by the City of Ithaca. The consultant provided draft
recommendations which were presented to the public for input in February 2009. She
stated that as a result of those comments the consultants prepared a second draft
recommendation which is what was distributed to the DAC members today. She
explained that the last day for public comments to be received by TCAT will be April 23,
2009. She stated that TCAT would be holding a public hearing on April 23, 2009 at
TCAT where the Board would then vote on the proposed recommendations. She further
stated that once the recommendations are approved, the routes will need to be driven in
order to time them, and then final schedules will be printed and distributed for the public.
DAC Member Eberhardt expressed his thanks and appreciation to TCAT for adding
Sunday runs to Cayuga Medical Center.
Ms. Oltz reported to the DAC that TCAT's new bus shelter on Green Street will be an
inside facility where tickets can be purchased. She noted they may also have a lost and
found there in order to save people the time of going to TCAT offices on Willow Avenue.
Ms. Tedesco proceeded to review changes to each route with the DAC. She answered
questions as she went through the route changes and noted suggestions from DAC
members to take back to the TCAT Board.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding changes in specific routes,
paratransit routes, additional routes, rural route opportunities, on- demand stops, and
possible additional routes.
Ms. Tedesco encouraged DAC members to submit suggestions to TCAT either by mail,
e -mail, or by attending the public hearing on April 23, 2009.
DAC Chair Roberts asked members to e -mail him their suggestions and comments so
that he can work to put together perhaps a formal resolution from the DAC regarding the
proposed changes to TCAT routes.
DAC Chair Roberts thanked Ms. Tedesco and Ms. Oltz for meeting with the DAC
regarding these proposed route changes.
DAC Chair Roberts reported that he had spoken with Superintendent of Public Works
Gray regarding the stimulus money. The first round of money has gone towards only
those projects that were "shovel" ready. However, there will be additional money coming
in the future for other projects that can include recommended projects from the DAC.
DAC Chair Roberts further reported that Wendy Skinner and Marcia Lynch have met to
talk about the public education program regarding handicap parking and they are
currently looking at different logos for the public service announcements.
DAC Roberts stated that progress is being made with the Access America grant
application. He further stated that he would work to set up another meeting with staff to
perhaps review the status of the ADA survey. He noted that for the May meeting he
would be contact the following people to attend the meeting including the Chief of Police
regarding enforcement of handicap parking violations, the Ithaca Festival Director to talk
about the upcoming festival, and the Building Commissioner.
DAC Roberts asked members to begin to think about accessibility issues for things
other than physical limitations such as hidden disabilities such as blindness, deafness,
etc. so that the Council can begin to make recommendations for accessibility for them
as well.
DAC Roberts reported that he is on the City's committee to create a comprehensive
plan. He noted he would like to have the leadership of the committee attend a future
DAC meeting as well, at some point during the coming year.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts
Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC