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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2010-10-06DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. October 6, 2010 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski DAC Members: David McElrath George Eberhardt Erin Sember Otis Jackson Jason Anderson Alderperson Rooker Ed Swayze, Director, 2 -1 -1, Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County Information Management Specialist — Myers Civil Engineer Yost EXCUSED- DAC Member Rappaport DAC Siobhan Whalen OTHERS PRESENT: Danielle Conti, Tompkins County Office for the Aging APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the August 4, 2010 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Notes — and September 1, 2010 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes - Resolution: By DAC Member Eberhardt: Seconded by DAC Member Gizewski RESOLVED, That the notes of the August 4, 2010 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved with noted corrections, and be it further RESOLVED, That the minutes of the September 1, 2010 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved with noted corrections. Carried Unanimously Updates Handicapped Parking Program Chair Roberts provided the proposed wording for the Public Service Announcement for the Council's review. He stated that Marcia Lynch drafted it and was able to incorporate suggestions from DAC Member Rappaport and himself about different ways to refer to handicap parking since the term handicap has fallen out of favor recently. It was suggested that the term "designated" parking be used instead of handicap parking, with the thought that eventually the term handicap will become obsolete. However, the public currently refers to these parking spaces as handicap so unless there is objection, the public service announcement will begin with the use of the word handicap and then change to the word designated. Discussion followed on the floor regarding what, if any, changes might need to be made to current handicap parking signage and whether additional signage might be needed. Chair Roberts stated that he would discuss this with Traffic Engineer, Tim Logue, to see if changes should be made. Chair Roberts explained that it was important for Marcia Lynch, who is Public Information Officer for Tompkins County, to complete the work on the public service announcement, and have the DAC approve it, before her time and focus turned to the budget season. October 6, 2010 Driveway at Titus Towers I: DAC Member Eberhardt reported that at the entrance to Titus Towers I from S. Plain Street, there is a hump that causes the bus to tip sideways as it enters and is very unsettling to passengers. He questioned whether there is somewhere residents could go to have this repaired. Chair Roberts asked whether or not it had been determined that the hump is on IHA property. DAC Member McElrath responded that the hump is on Ithaca Housing Authority's property. It was decided that DAC Member Eberhardt would contact Traffic Engineer Logue about the problem to determine whether the city owns that land or IHA and then determine how to proceed with requesting that it be repaired. Access Map Chair Roberts reported that Vicki Taylor, from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, has been very busy recently with the Apple Harvest Festival so has not been able to work on the accessibility map, but will continue work on it and it should be completed soon. A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding crowds at the Apple Harvest Festival and the presence of dogs. Chair Roberts feels that crowd control planning for the redesign of the Commons will be very important. r4i li'irto A": R 11 Chair Roberts reported that Leslie Chatterton spoke with the owner of Clinton Hall to explain the history of the building and some of the concerns of the Disability Advisory Council. The new owner, Mark Kielman, was unaware of the history of the building, and has a building manager at Clinton Hall who has been working on keeping vehicles from blocking the entrance so that access for everyone is maintained. Discussion followed on the floor with the thought that the owner could come to a meeting after the first of the year to discuss concerns. It would also be good for a group of DAC members to visit Clinton Hall prior to the owner coming to a meeting so that everyone is on the same page as discussions begin. Human Resources — Employee Interview training Chair Roberts stated that he would be interested in attending the training. He further noted that DAC member Rappaport has indicated that he would not be available. That means that right now just he and DAC member Sember are the only interested members of the DAC in attending the training. DAC Member Sember explained that Human Resources Director, Schelley Michell - Nunn, has indicated that the time for the training for DAC members can be reduced to just the pertinent information for DAC members. Further, if there is a lot of interest in the training it would make sense to schedule it during a regular DAC monthly meeting. Vice Chair Gizewski stated that he was interested in the training, but was not sure what the time commitment would involve. Civil Engineer Yost noted that she has attended the training and it is very interactive, it talks about the laws concerning what questions can and cannot be asked during an interview, and is a very interesting training. The following DAC members expressed interest in the training: DAC Member McElrath Vice Chair Gizewski DAC Member Sember Chair Roberts October 6, 2010 NEW BUSINESS: Pedestrian Public Hearing November 3, 2010 Chair Roberts stated that he would like the entire November meeting of the DAC devoted to the Public Hearing. He further stated that he and DAC member Rappaport discussed possible questions for the public hearing. They both feel that one question should be for specific problems and locations, and the other more general in nature, such as "what do you think the city should be doing to improve pedestrian access." Chair Roberts further explained that Civil Engineer Lynne Yost has agreed to explain the different processes and to comment /provide suggestions. This would be helpful information to the DAC, City Staff, and the people who come to the public hearing. He stated that it would be good to have Traffic Engineer Logue attend the public hearing as well. He further stated that he spoke with the Director of Information Technology, Duane Twardokus, to see if there would be a way for people from the public who can not attend the public hearing to provide input through the City's website Chair Roberts is working with the Information Technology Department to develop an online survey. Discussion followed on the floor regarding outreach to the public to encourage attendance at the public hearing. CC Liaison, Eddie Rooker, stated that he would announce the public hearing at tonight's Common Council meeting. Chair Roberts will e -mail various list serves and do a press release as well. Ed Swayze, Director, 2 -1 -1, Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County noted that he would put an announcement on their website as well. Danielle Conti, Tompkins County Office for the Aging will bring information that their office has on "Safe Streets" to the public hearing. She will also encourage clients to attend as they come into their office as well. Chair Roberts noted that there is a national incentive taking place regarding making streets safe for pedestrians as the population ages to make communities safer to walk in. DAC Roster: Chair Roberts reported that Allen Walters resigned recently, and that he would be in touch with Siobhan Whalen, who has not attended a meeting since she was appointed and no longer works at the Youth Bureau to see if she is still interested in serving on the DAC. City Website: Chair Roberts reported that Information Technology Director, Duane Twardokus, would like to have people with disabilities use the city's new, and improved website to get their feedback on it. He is very interested in any input the public may have to improve the website. City Sidewalks: A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding the City's new ordinance established to assist with the timely removal of snow and ice from sidewalks, since that time of year will soon be here. The public can call Streets and Facilities (272 -1718) to report sidewalks that need to be cleared. A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding the use of sidewalks by skate boarders, and bicyclists. Civil Engineer Yost reported that there is a new bike map available to the public to help them choose their travel path. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC V