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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2010-04-07DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. April 7, 2010 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski DAC Members: David McElrath George Eberhardt Erin Sember Otis Jackson Jason Anderson Allen Walters Alderperson and CC Liaison Rooker Information Management Specialist — Myers Historic Planner and DAC Staff Liaison - Chatterton EXCUSED: Andrew Rappaport DAC Member Walters reported to the Council that Finger Lakes Independence Center is co- sponsoring an event on April 21St, in the Borg Warner room at the Tompkins County Library from 1 pm to 4 pm entitled "Emergency Preparedness is Everyone's Responsibility ". He stated that Beth Harrington, from Tompkins County and Julie Holcomb, from the City of Ithaca would be the speakers. They will be talking about what emergency plans are in place already and will be seeking input from people with disabilities and their caregivers. DAC Chair Roberts encouraged everyone to attend and come prepared to provide input. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: By DAC Member McElrath: Seconded by DAC Member Sember RESOLVED, That the minutes of the March 3, 2010 meeting be approved with noted corrections. Carried Unanimously Discussion with Ithaca Police Department about Handicapped Parking Enforcement Senior Community Service Officer from IPD, Gary Bordoni, joined the Council for discussion of this item. DAC Chair Roberts provided the background history on this issue and the work of the DAC on handicap parking enforcement. He stated that a year and a half ago he asked the City Chamberlain to look into the handicap parking surcharge (which is charged each time someone is issued a parking ticket for handicap parking violations). This surcharge goes into an account that is used by Tompkins County for handicap parking enforcement and education. He further stated that a sub - committee of the DAC has been meeting with Tompkins County Public Information Officer, Marcia Lynch, to create a handicap parking education program, including some public service announcements. He explained that the DAC also worked with Judge Rossiter to raise handicap parking fines to $100.00 for the 1St offense instead of $80.00. He stated that as part of the continuing discussion on handicap parking the DAC felt it would be good to talk with the staff of the Ithaca Police Department regarding their approach to handicap parking. Officer Bordoni stated that his staff do focus their attention on shopping centers where there is a lot of handicap parking spaces as much as they are able, but he does have a limited number of staff. He noted that they do see a lot of abuse in the use of handicap parking permits. He stated that it would help officers' enforcement of handicap violations if New York State could develop a way to identify a permit to a specific patient. Information Management Specialist Myers explained that the City Clerk's office issues handicap parking permits and has been asked by the State to use the last three digits of April 7, 2010 the patient's NYS Driver's license on the permit to help identify the permit to the patient. However, some patients do not have a driver's license or a non - driver's license identification so then that information is left blank on the permit, so that does not really help with identifying a permit to a patient. DAC Member Jackson explained two different situations where he observed handicap parking permits being used that did not look like typical permits and when he investigated the matter by contacting the municipalities that the permits indicated had issued them, discovered that they were not valid. He said that fraudulent use of handicap permits is a felony crime. DAC Chair Roberts stated that Judge Rossiter is very interested in knowing when someone is committing fraud as well as repeat offenders. She wants to be able to use that opportunity to make repeat offenders know that the City takes these crimes very seriously. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding Community Service Officers duties in relation to parking violation enforcement, handicap parking enforcement, and other duties they perform on behalf of the police department. Officer Bordoni explained the history behind the creation of the community service officer position (CSO's). He stated that at first the CSO's worked out of the Department of Public Works and why those positions were transferred to the Ithaca Police Department. Further discussion followed on the floor on the limited amount of handicap parking spots in Collegetown and what the CSO's experience has been with the use of those spots by people without handicap parking permits. Discussion followed on the floor on how additional handicap spots in Collegetown might be selected to help more people have access to different businesses and activities in Collegetown. Discussion also followed on the floor regarding the importance of public education /awareness of handicap parking needs /requirements, public service announcements, how they might help the public understand why it is so important to keep those spaces open for those who really need them and have appropriate permits. Alderperson and CC Liaison Rooker explained his involvement, as an intern, in Africa with developing a public education program on handicap parking and his experience in that program. He stated that he would try to get some of the material that program used for the DAC's subcommittee on handicap parking education. Further Discussion about Table Heights at Food Courts Chair Roberts reported that DAC Member Sember provided the specific regulations on table height in food courts and it does not mandate higher tables. He stated that he would like to work with DAC Member Anderson to see how the DAC might approach a food court operator to educate them on table heights. He further stated that when that takes place, it could be suggested that when remodeling of the food court is planned or new tables ordered that they include higher tables. DAC Member Anderson stated that he would work with DAC Chair Roberts to coordinate this effort. Brief update — Ithaca Housing Authority Vans Chair Roberts reported that he spoke with the City's fleet manager, Don Parker. The City does have one accessible van which can hold two wheelchair passengers and nine others. The van is used by the Youth Bureau for their various recreational activities. Chair Roberts asked DAC Members McElrath and Sember to share this information with Ithaca Housing Authority Director Westfall so she can be in touch with Youth Bureau Director Green on how both organizations might be able to share the van. Chair Roberts further stated that Siobhan Whalen will be appointed to the DAC at tonight's Common Council meeting. She works at the Youth Bureau and might be able to assist with the use of the van as well. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the need for Ithaca Housing Authority Director Westfall to discuss transportation needs with Dwight Mengel at DSS so requests for accessible vehicles could be included in the comprehensive transportation plan being worked on by the County. 61 April 7, 2010 TCAT stop (a)- Walmart DAC Member Eberhardt reported that TCAT drops passengers off about a half -mile from the entrance of Walmart because of the construction underway there. This makes it very difficult for people with disabilities to get to Walmart to do their shopping. He stated that according to TCAT drivers, staff from Walmart told them they could not drive up to the entrance to drop off passengers. He further reported that Gadabout is able to drive drop their passengers off at the front door of Walmart without any problems. Vice Chair Gizewski stated that construction on the new super Walmart should be complete by July 2010. He further stated that there is a new manager at Walmart as well. He explained that through his work at Challenge, he works with Walmart and that he would bring this matter to the new manager's attention because this affects their business. He further stated that he would work with Walmart to try to accommodate the drop off of passengers at the entrance to Walmart by TCAT. Discussion followed on the floor on why this may be happening and one suggestion was that because of the construction TCAT buses might be delayed up by construction vehicles, which would affect their schedules too much. Chair Roberts stated that he would ask the chair of the ADA /TCAT meeting, Charlie Brudza, to put this on that committees next agenda for discussion and possible resolution. Goals and objectives Historic Planner and DAC Staff Liaison Chatterton distributed the following list of goals for 2010 -2011 that the DAC developed through extensive discussion at their December 2009 meeting. She explained that the goals were divided into four different categories as indicated. She explained that after reviewing the list, the DAC should decide what the next steps should be and establish a timeline. DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL 2010 - 2011 GOALS A listing of the Disability Advisory Council Goals April 2010 — April 2011. The goals are organized into four categories: (1) Input, Liaison Activities and Public Forums; (2) Projects; (3) Policies /Actions; (4) Disability Advisory Council Recruitment A. DAC Input, Liaison Activities and Public Forums 1. DAC Input • Continued input to the Planning Board from the DAC on site plan reviews regarding accessibility • Continued input to Rick Manning on the development of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail — (review SPRAP report) • Reports to the DAC from department heads re functions of each department. ✓ Human Resources & Work Force Diversity Advisory Committee Topic: Staff competency /training with relay telephone calls ✓ Information Technology - particularly with regard to DAC presence on the city website ✓ Mayor ✓ City Attorney ✓ Ithaca Fire Department - report from DAC member /IFD Otis Jackson. Topic: Enforcement by IFD of the NYS Property Maintenance Code. Otis has agreed to research the Building Department's exterior maintenance ordinance as well. • Report from Dwight Mengle ( ?) re: expansion of rural TCAT routes, and expansion of para- transit and taxi services Q April 7, 2010 2. Liaison Activities Encourage DAC members to volunteer as liaisons to other boards and committees and diversity initiatives ✓ Appoint DAC liaison to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council ✓ Appoint DAC Liaison to Work Force Diversity Committee Consider DAC liaisons to other City departments ✓ Work with Director of Planning & Development to formalize a process for DAC input on site plan reviews o Center Ithaca/ accessible bathrooms ✓ Work with Building Department staff to promote compliance through education 3. Public Forums Schedule Public Forum on disability issues; better directional and wayfaring signs especially audible ones Schedule Public Information session for "front line' city staff on the use of relay telephones B. Projects • Complete update of City of Ithaca Transition Plan to measure progress since its preparation in 2002 • Outline steps to complete GIS Accessibility Map. • Sidewalks ✓ Develop Process for reporting defective sidewalks. ✓ Map accessible sidewalk corners in the city ✓ Work on installation of sidewalks - areas of concern include Franklin Street and Willow Avenue • Survey wheelchair users to find out why some use city streets rather than sidewalks • Work with Ithaca Housing Authority to provide accessible vans for residents • Work with Tompkins County Public Information Officer on the educating the public about designated accessible parking citywide. • Establish central location for complaints about accessibility to avoid 911 calls C. Policies /Actions Develop effective advocacy program for greater enforcement /education of with regard to trimming bushes trees, and other obstructions to paths of travel (Exterior Property Maintenance Ordinance) Follow -up with DPW /Common Council on the revised accessible parking policy Assist to bring places of public accommodation known to be in violation with ADA compliance D. DAC Recruitment Quarterly assessment of DAC vacancies Assess needed or useful candidate qualities, for example someone who is blind • Development of a candidate list In addition to these listed goals the DAC will continue with on -going tasks associated with seasonal events such as: • Invite newly elected Common Council members to DAC meeting (February) • Work with Director of the Ithaca Festival to enhance communication and accessibility for people with disabilities (April — June) • Work with the City Clerk's Office on PSAs educating public about blocking paths of travel with vehicles (target students August — October) • Work with the City Clerk's Office on PSAs for snow and ice removal ( Sept — February) El April 7, 2010 Prepare Annual Report for Common Council and post to city website (December — January) Chair Roberts stated that this list is not all that the DAC will work on throughout the year because there will be things that come up that will need to be discussed. For example, the TCAT bus stop at Walmart. He suggested that the next meeting be devoted to prioritizing and developing a work plan for 2010 following the list of goals provided by Ms. Chatterton. Vice Chair Gizewski thanked Ms. Chatterton for her work on developing this list. He wondered if there is anything on that list that the DAC is working on that should perhaps have proposed completion dates applied to them. He asked if they could be highlighted differently and perhaps put into a different category. Ms. Chatterton responded that she would help to do that, but would need someone to help her. Discussion followed on the floor about the DAC's involvement with the planning of the Ithaca Festival and the traffic signal at Meadow Street near Tops being too short for pedestrians. Ms. Chatterton reminded everyone to try to keep the bigger picture in mind of all the goals listed because as each topic is reviewed there will be time for more detailed discussions. DAC Member Sember stated that it will be important for the DAC to work to educate business owners, landlords, and the public on the need to make accommodations for people with disabilities and why. Chair Roberts reported that he helped to organize a session with Downtown Ithaca Alliance Director, Gary Ferguson, to provide input on their comprehensive plan. He would like to invite Mr. Ferguson to a DAC meeting to discuss how disability issues are being addressed with their plan in conjunction with the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. Chair Roberts noted that it is important to pay attention to issues that are cross disabilities with more awareness around mental health issues. He would like to have a representative from Starlight Peer Advocacy Center for Empowerment (SPACE) attend DAC meetings as well. He stated that it perhaps with the comprehensive place there could be a category for health outcomes (i.e. mental health, disabilities, etc.). Member update DAC Member Jackson reported that he has come across a private entity writing parking tickets for handicap parking violations. He would be interested in seeing whether the surcharge is being applied to the account that funds the handicap parking education program run by Tompkins County. He explained that the private entity is Cornell University, they are using small, brown, recycled paper for the tickets and the charge is $50.00. The areas where he has seen the tickets are at 118 and 122 McGraw Place and 730 University Avenue. These properties have public assembly permits which do require they provide access to anyone wishing to visit the property. He further questioned whether Vice Chair Gizewski's van is able to use the Dryden Road Parking Garage. Vice Chair Gizewski responded that he cannot use the garage because the ceiling in the garage is too low. DAC Member Jackson stated that this has been his concern that there are handicap parking spaces within the garage, but they're not accessible for handicap vans. Chair Roberts stated that it might be a good idea to have a discussion with Cornell University and Ithaca College on handicap parking enforcement to explain that the City has increased its fines for violations and work with them on enforcement issues. '61 April 7, 2010 Chair Roberts reported that he reached out to a community member with a different type of disability to see if they might be interested in serving on the DAC to provide input on needs of people with different disabilities, but they declined to serve on the DAC. He stated that there are currently two vacancies on the DAC. DAC Member Sember stated that she would talk to Co- President of the Cornell Union for Disability Awareness Shear, who attended last month's meeting, to see if she might be interested in serving on the DAC. Vice Chair Gizewski announced that DAC members Sember and Anderson were recently appointed to the Board of the Finger Lakes Independence Center and thanked them for serving on the board. DAC Member Sember wondered whether any of the other FLIC board members might be interested in serving on the DAC. Vice Chair Gizewski said he would check to see because that is a good idea. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC