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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2009-12-02DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. December 2, 2009 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski DAC Members: David McElrath Otis Jackson Jason Anderson Andrew Rappaport OTHERS PRESENT: Information Management Specialist — Myers Historic Planner and DAC Liaison — Chatterton EXCUSED: Erin Sember Wendy Skinner George Eberhardt APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the November 4, 2009 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution By DAC Member Rappaport: Seconded by DAC Member Gizewski RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 4, 2009 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: Updates: DAC Chair Roberts provided updates on the following items: DAC Member Wendy Skinner will be unable to continue to serve on the DAC after her term expires December 31, 2009. He stated that there are vacancies on the DAC and requested that if anyone knows of someone who might be interested in serving on the DAC to contact him. No new information has been released yet regarding the Access America grant; he noted that if there is a deadline this year to submit an application that the sub - committee would work to get something out. He stated that in the meantime, the information that has been collected so far for the grant process would be useful to the DAC to see exactly where the City is with accessibility related issues. He has been waiting for Civil Engineer Yost to bring Andrea Haenlin -Mott, Cornell University Facilities — ADA Coordinator, and himself together to meet to review and discuss the city wide accessible map. DAC Member Erin Sember drafted a letter to Ithaca Housing Authority regarding their vans which has been forwarded to the City Attorney for review. He thanked Ms. Sember for doing this. Commons Redesign — Common Council accepted the third of the three conceptual designs that the Client Committee liked as well. He stated that the Commons Client Committee did take into consideration the recommendations from the DAC when selecting an option. Comprehensive Plan — the committee chose Parsons Brinkerhoff as the consultant for the plan and they will be working closely with Trowbridge and Wolfe to develop it. December 2, 2009 Handicap Parking Policy — revisions to the policy from recommendations of the DAC have been incorporated into a revised policy which will be placed on an agenda for the Board of Public Works consideration in January. He anticipates that the Board will not have any problems with adopting the revised policy. Handicap Parking Education Program — Marcia Lynch, Tompkins County Public Information Officer will be in touch with the DAC for process on how to get back on track with the educational program which may be through the sub - committee. He reminded everyone that a certain portion of the parking fine revenue from handicap parking violations goes back into a fund for educational programs. The new Gimme Coffee /TCAT satelite office on Green Street next to the Tompkins County Library is now open and has a beautiful handicap accessible public bathroom. He further reported that he has talked with Frost Travis, owner of Center Ithaca, who is planning renovations to the first floor and front entrance of Center Ithaca about concerns that the DAC has had regarding providing more accessible bathrooms. He will invite Mr. Travis to a DAC meeting to discuss the renovation plans and provide an opportunity for the DAC to give some input on the design. Historic Planner /DAC Liaison noted that the Center Ithaca renovations would need to go through site plan review which will provide an additional opportunity for input. Other Updates: DAC Vice Chair Gizewski requested that the City start Public Service Announcements regarding property owner's responsibility to shovel and keep their sidewalks clear of ice and snow. DAC Chair Roberts noted that he would work with City Clerk Holcomb to do the announcements. DAC Vice Chair Gizewski reported that Challenge Industries will be completely relocated to their new building at the South Hill Business Park by the end of January 2010. He noted that the old Challenge building has not been sold yet. Goals and Vision for Disability Advisory Council: Historic Planner and DAC Liaison Leslie Chatterton helped to lead a structured discussion of the following visions and goals of the DAC, as well as items that the DAC accomplished in 2009. Items listed are not in any particular priority order — they're just listed as they came up and were discussed by the Council during the meeting. Handicap Accessible Map — needs to be completed. Positive changes with snow removal from sidewalks because of increased enforcement — this was a major accomplishment. It is important that public service announcements start soon about owner responsibilities. New handicap parking signs that note increased fines for violators — very helpful with compliance, positive change in design of signs to help public better understand consequences for non - compliance. The revised handicap parking policy that is going to the Board of Public Works in 2010 will be a big accomplishment for 2009. An ongoing goal for 2010 is to work with Ithaca Housing Authority in providing accessible vans for residents. Sidewalk maintenance — methods for reporting bad sidewalks — needs improvement specifically for corner properties. The DAC generated list of sidewalk corners that need improvement to make them more accessible is helpful; but it is expensive to the City to make those improvements. 61 December 2, 2009 Input to Director of Ithaca Festival was helpful; perhaps provide input for the 2010 festival. Improved signage by Challenge Industries — this was done in coordination with Challenge, the City and Gadabout and has helped everyone. The need to appoint a DAC Liaison to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council. Continued input to the Planning Board from the DAC regarding designs for new projects to help with accessibility issues. TCAT Bus Route changes — DAC provided input to TCAT and TCAT representatives attended a DAC meeting to obtain feedback about proposed route changes. DAC provided input regarding the dock at Stewart Park. Continued input from DAC to Rick Manning as the Cayuga Waterfront Trail is developed and changes to Stewart Park are planned. Various department heads came to different DAC meetings to provide input on what each department does and how the DAC can interact with city departments; need to have the Human Resources Department Director attend a DAC meeting in 2010 — especially in relation to the Work Force Diversity Advisory Committee of the City and how the DAC can provide input to that committee. For January 2010 DAC meeting — discuss vacancies on DAC and provide recommendations for possible candidates. DAC should invite the Mayor and City Attorney to a meeting in 2010. DAC should extend an invitation to new Common Council members to attend a meeting in 2010. DAC Chair Roberts reported that the Mayor is thinking about Common Council liaison positions for 2010 with all boards and committees and it is important to have an active Common Council member as the liaison to the DAC who can participate in meetings. DAC members were encouraged to volunteer to help as they are able to with any liaison positions to other boards /committees and any diversity initiatives. Chair Roberts stated that he did talk with the Planning and Development Director (JoAnn Cornish) about having a liaison from the Planning Board to the DAC and she is working on that because he feels that link is very important. Review of the remediation plan (new name for ADA survey) to see what has been done since 2002. Work on a map that would show all the accessible sidewalk corners in the city which would be helpful as people plan their routes throughout the city. The handicap accessible map that is being worked on is of the Commons and the downtown area, discussion followed on how detailed that map should be; and how various layers of maps can be turned on and off depending on the level of detail one is interested in. Streets that do not have sidewalks (such as Franklin Street and Willow Avenue) should have the City's and DAC's focus to see how /when sidewalks could be installed in this mostly residential area. 0 December 2, 2009 The need for the DAC to be more broadly represented, i.e. have someone who is blind on DAC since DAC can only guess what their needs, thoughts might be; Chair Roberts will advertise the DAC vacancies at the Finger Lakes Independence Center and in that newsletter. Schedule a public hearing targeted at disability issues; better directional and wayfaring signs especially audible ones; need to make sure that city staff know how to respond to relay calls (something to address with HR Director). Meet again with the Director of Information Technology regarding the city's website. Invite Dwight Mengel, from TCDSS to talk about expanding rural TCAT routes, and expansion of paratransit and taxi services; an update in 2010 would be good. Look at how to upgrade local businesses to meet ADA as they are noticed in violation — i.e. the Community School of Music and Arts is still without an elevator. Perhaps have a DAC liaison to the building department so if building department staff are more aware of issues there might be more compliance through education. Increased enforcement of exterior maintenance ordinance in relation to trimming bushes, trees, etc. DAC Member Otis Jackson stated that IFD is charged with enforcement of the NYS Property Maintenance Code and he will bring a copy of that code to the next DAC meeting. He explained he does a lot of education in the public to promote compliance. He further stated that he would research the Building Department's exterior maintenance ordinance as well. Education is a key part to compliance as a lot of the public is not aware of how their non - compliance affects other people. Research why some wheelchair users are using city streets rather sidewalks to get around. DAC should encourage inspectors to educate the public on the importance of keeping paths clear and accessible. Public service announcements regarding not blocking sidewalks or curbcuts with vehicles. Investigate the possibility of a central location for people to make complaints through because people do not want to call 9 -1 -1. DAC has minutes available after every meeting and posted to the website for anyone's information, which has been very useful. The DAC requested that their 2009 Annual Report be posted to the city's website and that there be a reminder of when the annual report is due each year. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC Il