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Home My WebLink AboutMN-DAC-2011-05-04DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. May 4, 2011 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Members: Erin Sember -Chase Otis Jackson Allen Walters Andrew Rappaport Jocelyn Scriber Information Management Specialist — Myers EXCUSED: DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski David McElrath George Eberhardt Jason Anderson Alderperson Rooker Courtney Glenn Ed Swayze, Director, 2 -1 -1, Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the March 2, 2011 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes - Resolution By DAC Member Jackson: Seconded by DAC Member Sember -Chase RESOLVED, That the minutes of the March 2, 2011 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Clinton Hall Chair Roberts updated the Council on what took place during the tour of Clinton Hall on April 6, 2011. He reported that the tour was very interesting and informative. He stated that he and DAC Staff Liaison Leslie Chatterton had intended to meet after the tour to review notes, and prepare a letter to the property owner regarding concerns about the accessibility of the rear entrance. He further stated that the owner, Mark Kielmann, was very receptive to feedback from the Disability Advisory Council, and noted that he was very polite as well. The exchange back and forth between the owner, and those members of the DAC that went on the tour was good, and he hopes that the letter to the property owner will go out by early next week. The owner was pleased to have the support of the DAC to address some issues he has had with tenants of the building. He further reported that the DAC may be helpful to the owner in bringing some beautification to the rear of the building through public art work. Snow and Ice Removal from Sidewalks - Discussion at Board of Public Works Meeting Chair Roberts reported that after the last big snow storm on March 7t" he decided to discuss with the Mayor the policy regarding the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks within twenty -four hours of the start of the storm. He further reported to the Board of Public Works that people are not able or willing to clear curb cuts after the plows go through and push snow back onto them. He stated that staff reported to the Board of Public Works that the City prioritizes the cleaning of streets before sidewalks, and he is wondering whether that is the best way or not. He further stated that this is a complicated issue, and that he hopes the issue can be discussed during the summer so that a solution can be found before the snow is here again. He suggested that the DAC create a subcommittee to meet with staff to discuss the issue to determine whether or not it is even logistically or financially something that the City can address, and add to staff responsibilities. May 4, 2011 Open Agenda Chair Roberts reported that Rick Manning would be hosting a public meeting on the Stewart Park Rehabilitation Plan. It will be held on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tompkins County Library, Borg Warner room. He encouraged DAC members to attend. Chair Roberts reported that Vicki Taylor from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance is working on the accessibility map, and it is nearly complete. Chair Roberts further reported that he will invite Marcia Lynch to the June DAC meeting to talk about the handicap parking education program, and to provide updates. Chair Roberts noted that Vice Chair Gizewski has been talking about putting together some public service announcements regarding snow removal and handicap parking. He will talk with him after the meeting to see if he might want to work with other DAC members to develop the announcements, and then work with the City Clerk to get them to the media. Chair Roberts reported that DAC Staff Liaison Leslie Chatterton would update the DAC on the City's self- assessment before she retires -- which will be soon. DAC Member Scriber requested information regarding the public hearing that the DAC held in November on pedestrian issues. Chair Roberts responded that the DAC wanted input from the public on two questions — one was what are specific problems have pedestrians encountered, and two, a more general question about how the City can become more walkable or accessible for people with disabilities. He further stated that two members of the public came to speak at the hearing. He thinks that next time the DAC is interested in obtaining public input on different topics that it might be better to have it done through an on -line survey so people don't have to come out to a meeting to speak. He will place this topic on a future agenda. A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding recent improvements to various crosswalks in the City that will assist pedestrians in crossing busy streets — including Dey Street at Route 13 by Aldi's, College Avenue /Eddy Street, W. State /Meadow Streets, S. Cayuga /Green Streets, Home Dairy Alley at Green Street. Chair Roberts stated that it might be good to have Traffic Engineer Tim Logue attend a future DAC meeting to discuss State owned and City owned traffic signals and any plans for improvements. Chair Roberts noted that a new Mayor and Common Council members will be elected in November and it might be nice to invite Mayor Peterson to a future meeting to discuss things that she might be interested in resolving before she leaves office. A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding how the DAC might interact with Mayoral candidates to provide input on various disability issues. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the possibility of the DAC partnering with other organizations or agencies to host a mayoral candidate meeting. It was noted that accessibility issues may not be the "hot" topic for a lot of candidates now, but we are an aging population, we have disabled veterans returning home, as well as aging family members, and employment issues that should be addressed. DAC Member Jackson stated that a challenge could be issued to candidates to use a wheelchair in their neighborhoods for a day to see what changes they might like to make, as well as provide an education to them of the issues that people with disabilities deal with on a daily basis. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the difficulty in finding accessible housing, and how all new development will be required to meet those needs, and how older buildings /homes can be modified to meet needs of the public. 61 May 4, 2011 Chair Roberts reported on a couple of issues that he has been dealing with lately: 1. Puppies /dogs being trained to be seeing eye dogs and the ability to access public places for training. 2. An issue that the City Clerk's office was dealing with regarding someone being hard of hearing and their ability to attend and hear the discussion at a public meeting. Currently, the City does not have assistive devices for the hearing impaired persons to access when they attend meetings at City Hall. Chair Roberts suggested that the City Clerk's office work with the Information Technology Department to see what they might be able to provide. DAC Member Scriber suggested that the City Clerk's office contact Monica Brace, who is an audiologist, for additional assistance. DAC Member Sember -Chase volunteered to research what the rules are regarding accommodations for training service dogs in public places- businesses, and how to determine whether or not a dog is a service dog, especially when they are being brought into places where dogs are not allowed, and saying that they're service dogs so that the dogs then have to be allowed to remain. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC V