Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2010-02-03DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. February 3, 2010 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Members: David McElrath George Eberhardt Erin Sember Otis Jackson Jason Anderson Andrew Rappaport Alderperson Rooker, CC Liaison OTHERS PRESENT: Information Management Specialist — Myers Tompkins County Human Services Coalition Representative — Swayze Perspective DAC Member — Allen Walters Perspective DAC Member - Siobhan Whalen Assistant Civil Engineer — Yost EXCUSED: DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski Chair Roberts introduced new Common Council Liaison Eddie Rooker who provided some background information and then everyone in attendance introduced themselves. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: By DAC Member McElrath: Seconded by DAC Member Rappaport RESOLVED, That the minutes of the January 6, 2010 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously UPDATES- Updates/Goals/Objectives: Chair Roberts reported that he and DAC Staff Liaison Chatterton had not been able to meet since the last meeting to review the list of goals /objectives. He will add this item to the agenda for the March meeting. He further reported that the accessibility map is still a priority as well as making sure there are accessible entrances at Clinton Hall. Chair Roberts thanked DAC Member George Eberhardt for being the spokesperson for the DAC at Titus Towers regarding the need for handicap accessible vans. DAC Member Eberhardt reported that he met with Ithaca Housing Authority Director, Brenda Westfall, to give her the letter from the DAC regarding the need for accessible vans. He further reported that Ms. Westfall turned the letter over to the attorney for Ithaca Housing Authority to review. Ms. Westfall stated that she would plan to attend the March DAC meeting to provide an update on the situation. DAC Member Eberhardt provided a brief history of the situation for people who had not been at previous DAC meetings. Tompkins County Human Services Coalition Representative Ed Swayze noted that this item should be placed on the Transportation Coordination Committee agenda for discussion. The committee is made up of representatives from Tompkins County Department of Social Services and the Transportation Council. The committee is developing a list of priority projects for which they can apply for funding to the Federal government. He stated that funding is to be directed towards providing transportation options for the community to help address unmet human service needs for people with disabilities. Chair Roberts stated that he had been invited by Asst. Civil Engineer Yost to be part of a large committee to review the current sidewalk program and make recommendations for improvements. February 3, 2010 Chair Roberts further reported that the revised handicap policy that the DAC approved would be on the agenda for the Board of Public Works meeting today for discussion. He noted that the policy had been substantially revised to address particular accessibility needs. Chair Roberts stated that he has been working with the City Chamberlain to develop public service announcements regarding the increase in fines for handicap parking violations. He further reported that new parking tickets with the increased fine amounts have been printed and are in use. The public service announcements will help educate the public on the new fines. He stated that the handicap parking education committee has met and continues to work on developing educational information regarding handicap parking. The committee consists of DAC Members Otis Jackson and Greg Gizewski, as well as former DAC Member Wendy Skinner. Sidewalk Program: Asst. Civil Engineer Yost joined the Council for discussion of the City's sidewalk program. She asked that if anyone had desired sidewalk ramp locations to please let her know the locations so they can be added to the list. She explained that the City is trying to re -vamp the sidewalk program as the workload does not match staffing levels. She explained some of the difficulties faced by the sidewalk crew in developing priorities and completing necessary sidewalk repair work. She further stated that the committee that has been established to review this had developed the following list of concerns: There is a mis -match between staff and workload How tree damaged sidewalks are handled The current City Code and what is actually in practice must be brought into alignment with each other Problem with permitting system needs to be addressed Sidewalk repair work is done only on a complaint basis, not pro - actively The current program is collapsing on itself She stated that anything that changes the City Code will take time to implement. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the problems that property owners face in repairing sidewalks, including the financial burden and how that can be addressed. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the notification to property owners of the need for repairing their sidewalks, the cost for the city to repair sidewalks, and the billing process. Chair Roberts stated that it is very important for the DAC to voice its support for the sidewalk program and the importance of the sidewalk program as city resources are being considered. He further explained how important it is to the community to have sidewalks in good condition and with accessible ramps. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding how sidewalk work is prioritized, and property owner's responsibilities for their sidewalks. It was noted that a lot of property owners are not aware that the maintenance of the sidewalk is their responsibility or they just don't have the money to pay for the repair of the sidewalk. DAC Member Eberhardt expressed his thanks and appreciation to the City's DPW crew for their prompt response to Titus Towers after a recent heavy rainfall to clean the storm sewer to take care of a huge puddle that had developed in the parking lot. Other Updates: Tompkins County Human Services Coalition Representative Swayze reported that the 2 -1 -1 office has information about a new Medicaid Buy -In program that assists low income people who are working qualify for Medicaid for medical care without having to do a "spend- down" first. He said that people can call 2 -1 -1 for more information. He further reported that the 2 -1 -1 office is making appointments for low income tax preparation at Alternatives Federal Credit Union. He stated that RSVP is also providing assistance with tax preparation. 61 February 3, 2010 Chair Roberts reported that the 2010 Census will be taking place very soon and encouraged everyone to complete the census forms when they receive them in the mail. He stated that Tompkins County is trying to reach the 100,000 mark for population because that would mean that the county would qualify for more federal funding, which it really needs in order to meet the needs of the community. Chair Roberts encouraged members to encourage everyone they know to complete the census forms. He stated that people can call the Finger Lakes Independence Center with questions on how to complete the form. Report from Andrew Rappaport Women's Community Building: DAC Member Rappaport reported that Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services is planning to construct a six story multi -use building on the current Women's Community Building site. There will be a meeting room, an office space for INHS, and a couple apartments on the first floor; the other floors will contain ten one to two bedroom apartments, all units are rated ADA(b) which means that they can be modified, when needed to meet someone's accessibility needs. There will be an elevator in the building as well and laundry facilities on each floor. This building should meet or exceed ADA requirements. Former "Plantation Store" Building: He further reported that the former "Plantation Store" building on The Commons will be renovated with a restaurant on the first floor, banquet facilities and public restrooms on the second floor. The third and fourth floors will contain one bedroom apartments. An elevator will be installed and there will be ramps in the front and back of the building as well. All the apartments are ADA(b) rated as well. The renovation of the building should be completed by the Fall of 2010. Chair Roberts reported that the former running store on the corner of West State and Geneva Street will become a sushi restaurant and according to the Building Department will be made accessible by ramp. He further reported that the Commons repair /upgrade plans continue as well as meetings regarding the City's comprehensive plan. Chair Roberts reviewed items for upcoming agendas: Cornell Union for Disability Awareness — representatives will attend the March meeting to give a presentation. Police Chief will be invited to the April meeting Ithaca Housing Authority Director, Brenda Westfall, planning to attend the March meeting to discuss the issue regarding accessible vans Invite Human Resources Director, Schelley Michell -Nunn, to report to the Council on the Human Resources Department. Chair Roberts would also like to see a member of the DAC as a liaison to the Workforce Diversity Advisory Council. Invite Information Technology Director, Duane Twardokus, to a future meeting to update the Council on the city's website. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC V