The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMN-DAC-2011-06-01DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. June 1, 2011 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski DAC Members: Erin Sember -Chase Otis Jackson Jason Anderson Allen Walters Andrew Rappaport Jocelyn Scriber Information Management Specialist — Myers Danielle Conte, Tompkins County Office for the Aging Marcia Lynch, Tompkins County Public Information Officer EXCUSED- David McElrath George Eberhardt Alderperson Rooker Courtney Glenn Ed Swayze, Director, 2 -1 -1, Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County The DAC meeting was held in the Borg Warner room at the Tompkins County Public Library because the elevator was out of service at City Hall. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the May 4, 2011 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution By DAC Member Jackson: Seconded by DAC Member Gizewski RESOLVED, That the minutes of the May 4, 2011 Disability Advisory Council be approved as published. Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: Public Service Campaing /Announcement Discussion Chair Roberts reported that Vice Chair Gizewski is willing to do the voice for the public service announcements, as well as be in pictures, if needed. He thought that it would be good to discuss ideas for areas of concern where a public service announcement (PSA) might be useful. He further stated that the handicap parking education campaign will have its own PSA "s, which Marcia Lynch is working on. Vice Chair Gizewski stated that it would be new to him to do a PSA, but that he is more than willing to give it a try. He stated that he posed by his van in a parking space for one in the past showing that vans with lifts need extra space to maneuver wheel chairs in and out of them. Chair Roberts suggested a PSA about the need to keep sidewalks open, clear, and accessible for pedestrians and people in wheelchairs. He described an experience recently where there was construction debris blocking the sidewalk, making it impossible for a wheelchair to use the sidewalk. DAC Member Sember -Chase stated that education is very important and that the use of pictures in the announcements would be very helpful. Discussion followed on the floor regarding what topics might be candidates for PSA's. The following were some of the suggestions: June 1, 2011 1. Keeping trees /bushes trimmed by, over, and near sidewalks, especially corner properties. 2. Keeping sidewalks open and clear at all times, as well as shoveled clear of ice and snow. 3. Rules regarding guide /service dogs and puppy training of same. DAC Member Sember -Chase noted that New York State has updated rules concerning service animals, and that only dogs are considered service animals. She will provide the updated information to the DAC and the City. Chair Roberts stated that he would invite City Clerk Holcomb to the July DAC meeting to discuss service dogs on The Commons, and the possibility of creating a PSA about them. He further noted that any PSA that the DAC develops will need to be reviewed and credited to the City, as well as the Disability Advisory Council. Marcia Lynch volunteered to work with the DAC and City Clerk Holcomb on the development of any PSA's. She further noted that Dave Vessar at WHCU would be a resource as well to help record the PSA's. Vice Chair Gizewski asked if any other DAC members might be interested in working with him on the PSA's, and DAC Member Anderson volunteered to assist. Vice Chair Gizewski also recommended that the DAC review the PSA's before they go live. Marcia Lynch, Handicapped Parking Education Program Ms. Lynch reported that work on this program has been moving slowly ahead. The plan is to kick -off the campaign in August in order to reach returning college students at the beginning of the school year. She stated that two PSA's have been developed, which will be distributed to students via e -mail. Discussion followed on the floor regarding writing an op -ed piece for the Ithaca Journal; Vice Chair Gizewski offered a picture of his van with its lift and information about how much space it requires to maneuver his wheelchair in and out of it. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding developing a very basic brochure of information, information in CU, IC, Tompkins Weekly newspapers, and the use of educational banners throughout the City (suggestions for locations for banners include — Wegmans, and areas in Collegetown). Both Marcia Lynch and Chair Roberts noted that it is important that this information be distributed electronically, and that all this information would be posted to the City of Ithaca website as well. Discussion followed on the floor regarding putting an public image with the PSA's as well, Marcia suggested Tompkins County Sheriff, Ken Lansing; and former DAC member Wendy Skinner. Chair Roberts stated that the DAC has been working on the handicap parking educational campaign for a couple of years now, and that it needs to move quickly to finalize the PSA's and place banners where possible. DAC Member Jackson suggested that a banner be placed on the Tompkins County Library, and Chair Roberts responded that he does have good connections at the library and will ask for permission to place a banner on it. Marcia asked that the DAC's time frame was for the release of the other PSA's on the various topics noted earlier. She suggested that the handicap parking PSA's be done first so as not to dilute the effectiveness of the other ones. She stated that PSA's can be either 30 seconds or 60 seconds, and that she prefers the use of 30 second ones. She further stated that the language in the PSA's needs to be kept consistent with the e- mails, information posted to the City's website, and brochures developed. June 1, 2011 OTHER UPDATES: Chair Roberts provided updates on the following topics: 1. Clinton Hall — Historic Planner and DAC Liaison, Leslie Chatterton has drafted a letter to the owner of Clinton Hall, Mark Kielmann, that Larry still needs to review. Once that has been done, it can be mailed. 2. Accessibility Map — Vicki Taylor, from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, will attend the July DAC meeting to provide an update. 3. Historic Planner and DAC Liaison, Leslie Chatterton, will attend the July DAC meeting to go over projects that still need work, may have been completed, and talk about any new projects that the DAC should be involved with. She is retiring in July, and has worked closely with the DAC for many years, She has been a great resource for information and providing guidance and assistance to the DAC as well. 4. Snow and Ice removal at curb ramps. Chair Roberts has discussed concerns with Asst. Supt. Ray Benjamin, and will be meeting with him on June 6t" to discuss what should be done. Chair Roberts further explained that he would invite Asst. Supt. Benjamin to a DAC meeting after their meeting to discuss this and obtain input from them as well. A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding how the City could be alerted to curb ramps that need to be cleared of snow and ice, and working with the court to implement a program whereby those property owners that fail to clear the curb ramps on their sidewalks, would be required to perform community service and clear them rather than paying a fine. It was suggested that Community Service Officers might be able to play a role in this as well. 5. Mayoral Candidate Forum — Chair Roberts reported that Lenore Schwager, from FLIC suggested that the DAC wait to host a forum until after the primary election in September. It is likely that there will be a Republican and Democratic candidate for Mayor, and it will be important for the DAC to encourage members of the public to attend any scheduled forums to raise any issues of concern. 6. Guide /Service Dogs on City Property — Chair Roberts will invite City Clerk Julie Conley Holcomb to the July DAC meeting to discuss rules on The Commons and how to ensure consistency in enforcement. DAC Member Sember -Chase will provide the updated regulations regarding service dogs to Chair Roberts and the Clerk's Office. 7. DAC Membership — a brief discussion followed regarding the current DAC roster and terms. DAC Member, Allen Walters, expressed his desire to be reappointed to the DAC. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC 0