Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2009-06-03DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. June 3, 2009 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski DAC Members: Wendy Skinner David McElrath Erin Sember Jason Anderson OTHERS PRESENT: Information Management Specialist — Myers Leslie Chatterton, Historic Planner, Staff Liaison to the Disability Advisory Council Larry Featherston, Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (Guest of DAC Member Erin Sember) Duane Twardokus, Director of Information Technology EXCUSED: Kendrick Kemp George Eberhardt Otis Jackson APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the April 1, 2009 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution By DAC Member McElrath: Seconded by DAC Member Gizewski RESOLVED, That the minutes of the April 1, 2009 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved with noted corrections. Carried Unanimously Approval of the May 6, 2009 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution By DAC Member Sember: Seconded by DAC Member Skinner RESOLVED, That the minutes of the May 6, 2009 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved with noted corrections. Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: DAC Member McElrath reported that he sent a letter to the officials at the Americans with Disabilities office regarding whether Ithaca Housing Authority, at Titus Towers, is required to provide a van for residents that is accessible for wheelchairs and walkers. Discussion followed on the floor regarding what other steps might be taken to determine whether or not Ithaca Housing Authority is required to provide accessible vans and other officials that might be contacted to provide support in this effort. DAC Member McElrath further reported as DAC Liaison to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC) that at the last meeting there was a discussion about the proposed new Hotel Ithaca and the need for developers to include accessibilty plans in the project. DAC Chair Roberts reported, as Liaison to the Board of Public Works, that the architect for this project did a presentation to the Board. He stated that there will be two entrances to the hotel; one will be from the inside of the Green Street garage and one from the Aurora Street side. He further stated that he did bring up the concern that the DAC had with how the Hilton Garden Inn constructed their front entrance. The architect assured the Board that they were aware of those issues and will avoid the disruption of pedestrian travel as the Hotel Ithaca is constructed. Discussion followed on the floor regarding access to the new hotel. June 3, 2009 UPDATES: DAC Chair Roberts reported on the following items: - He is working on a draft of the DAC annual report for Common Council and will distribute it to members for their review at the July meeting. He noted that the Disability Advisory Council is the only committee that makes regular annual reports to Common Council. - He wrote a thank you to TCAT for their response to the requested route changes made by the Disability Advisory Council. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the new Ithaca Housing Authority housing project on Floral Avenue that is not included in any of TCAT's routes. There will be residents of the housing project that no doubt will need to access public transportation. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the need for better communication between TCAT, the City, Town, and County on development projects so that TCAT can make accommodations to include the new developments in their routes. DAC Chair Roberts reported that he is on the TCAT Advisory Board on public transit and that he will bring this to their attention. He further reported that TCAT should be involved with proposed plans of Challenge and Unity House to re- locate to the South Hill Business Campus. - He will invite the Building Commissioner to an upcoming meeting. - He will also invite the Police Chief to a meeting to talk about handicap parking enforcement. Judge Rossiter is very supportive of efforts to increase fines and has met with City representatives. She will increase fines for the first offense from $80 to $100 starting January 1, 2010 and would like to see repeat offenders in her courtroom to speak to their violations. The sub - committee of DAC (Chair Roberts, Vice Chair Gizewski, Ms. Skinner, and Mr. Jackson) are meeting with Marcia Lynch on Friday, June 5, 2009 to discuss the status of the public service /education plan and what needs to be done. - He needs to speak with Rick Ferrel before he retires about creating new handicap parking signs that would include what the fine is for violations. DAC Member Sember inquired as to how the Ithaca Festival went as far as accessibility issues were concerned. DAC Member Skinner reported that she had seen people in wheelchairs at the festival and DAC Chair Roberts noted that he had seen accessible port -a- potties. DAC Chair Roberts stated that he would ask the Commons Advisory Board to look into the issue of requiring that vendors be handicap accessible for future festivals. He noted that there is information available on line to refer to for guidelines on this issue. He further stated that he would be encouraging organizers of the Ithaca Festival to include money in their budget for American Sign Interpreters. Discussion followed on the floor regarding what events should require interpreters, and the need for education of the public on this necessity and how the provision of this service might increase attendance at different events. DAC Chair Roberts stated that he would like to see all permit applications include the requirement for the provision of sign interpreters. DAC Member McElrath left the meeting at 1:00 p.m. A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding current membership of the DAC, whose terms are nearing expiration and whether current members would like to be reappointed. There are four vacancies on the Council currently. June 3, 2009 Accessibility map — DAC Chair Roberts reported that the map is not being worked on and the history of the work on the map to date. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding whether or not the DAC felt that efforts should be made to complete the map and how to go about doing that. Director of Information Technology Twardokus provided technical information as far as what would be required if the Council is looking for a GIS map or whether a listing of accessible establishments would meet the need. Extensive discussion followed on the floor with members expressing their opinions of what they would like to see included in a map, who should work on it, how it should be done and concerns about the real need for such a listing and how it might be promoted among businesses as something that would help increase their business. Discussion followed on the floor regarding whether "Google" might be willing to help the City in this effort or at least partner with it for mapping services and involving the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce in this effort. Chair Roberts noted that there are plans underway to redesign the Commons and how this idea of providing an accessibility listing might be incorporated into work that the consultants could perform. DAC Member Sember stated that she is very supportive of this effort and would be interested in volunteering to work on it. DAC Chair Roberts stated that the DAC needs to continue its monitoring of accessibility issues at Stewart Park. DAC Chair Roberts invited Director of Information Technology Twardokus to a future meeting of the DAC to explain what his department does. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Mgt. Specialist Chair, DAC Q