Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2012-10-03DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Members: David McElrath Erin Sember -Chase Andrew Rappaport Jocelyn Scriber Information Management Specialist — Myers Lisa Lunas, Tompkins County Office for the Aging OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Scott Tomo Shibato John Blakely, concerned resident (re EXCUSED: DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski Jason Anderson Alderperson Smith Jaime Freilich October 3, 2012 sidewalk accessibility /outdoor dining) Disability Advisory Council Membership Discussion: Chair Roberts explained that the City Charter allows for non -city residents to serve on the Disability Advisory Council. The current code for membership requires that two - thirds of the members need to be city residents. He explained that the DAC could make a recommendation to Common Council that it would like that ratio changed to no more than fifty percent of the membership may be non -city residents. That would allow for flexibility in appointment and help to expand the diversity of the DAC membership. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the current make -up of the Council. The current membership is such that in order to fill all the vacancies (4) they need to filled by city residents only. Recommendation to Common Council Regarding Membership for the Disability Advisory Council - Resolution By DAC Member McElrath: Seconded by DAC Member Sember -Chase RESOLVED, That the Disability Advisory Council recommends to Common Council that the membership of the Disability Council be made up of no more than 50% non -city residents in order to assure broad and diverse membership representation of the Ithaca community. Carried Unanimously DAC Members expressed their opinion that this recommendation to Common Council is a very positive change. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the July 10, 2012 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution By DAC Member Rappaport: Seconded by DAC Member Scriber RESOLVED, That the minutes of the July 10, 2012 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved as published, and be it further Approval of the August 1, 2012 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution RESOLVED, That the minutes of the August 1, 2012 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously October 3, 2012 Accessibility Concerns — Sidewalks Downtown Around Areas with Outdoor Dining: Chair Roberts introduced Mr. Blakely and explained that he invited him to the meeting today to explain a situation he is concerned about regarding sidewalk accessibility downtown where there is outdoor dining. Mr. Blakely explained that the current arrangement for outdoor dining downtown impacts accessibility to the sidewalk for pedestrians — especially on Aurora Street. He shared a recent experience he had of observing a visually impaired pedestrian with a guide dog trying to navigate around outdoor dining tables along Aurora Street. He stated that because of the placement of tables and chairs in the walkway the pedestrian tripped and needed assistance by the public. Chair Roberts stated that he shared Mr. Blakely's concern with City Clerk Holcomb, who was going to relay and share the information with the Commons Advisory Board. Chair Roberts also encouraged Mr. Blakely to speak directly with City Clerk Holcomb about the situation as well. Future Agenda Item: The DAC agreed that the concerns raised by Mr. Blakely need further review and discussion. They realize that it is a balancing issue to meet everyone's needs with accessibility downtown, and would like an opportunity to discuss and propose recommendations during a future meeting. Another item for a future agenda would be to discuss what city boards /committees would benefit from a liaison from the DAC that would in turn benefit the DAC and its work and goals. Discussion /Finalizing /Prioritizing Goals and Objectives: Chair Roberts stated that he and DAC member Erin Sember -Chase met before today's meeting to briefly discuss the goals and objectives of the DAC. He noted that they are very interested in getting input from the public and other stake holders about how the DAC can provide assistance to anyone in the community. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the need to increase the DAC's presence on the City of Ithaca website, having that presence be able to "link" to other community resources and vice versa. It was also suggested that information be sent to the Ithaca Journal to share about the DAC and how to become involved or provide input. It was noted that Vice Chair Gizewski is working with City Clerk Holcomb on several different public service announcements, which will help to enhance the visibility of the DAC. Chair Roberts suggested the benefits of online surveys to obtain information on accessibility needs in the community. Chair Roberts also noted that it would be helpful to have a regular liaison to the Board of Public Works, as his schedule does not always allow him to attend all 3 meetings of the Board each month. He explained that currently the DAC has liaisons to the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee, and the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council. He further noted that there is the possibility of DAC representation, as he and DAC Member Sember- Chase, spoke with Human Resources Director Michell -Nunn about the presence of a DAC member on the search committee to fill the police chief vacancy — with DAC Member Sember -Chase being the best candidate for that opportunity. It was also suggested that having a DAC Liaison to the Commons Advisory Board might be a good idea as well. Chair Roberts noted the DAC's success with the public works department regarding sidewalks and the removal of snow and ice from them to increase accessibility for everyone during the winter. There are still many issues, though, surrounding the City's sidewalk program that need to be resolved. 61 October 3, 2012 Ideas to focus on: Increased public input /marketing by DAC Set up a calendar for guests to attend monthly DAC meetings. Increased presence on the City of Ithaca website. Chair Roberts stated that by November, the DAC will have an answer as to who its' staff liaison will be and its newest Common Council liaison. These two connections really aid the DAC efforts. DAC Member Sember -Chase requested that members send her e -mails with suggestions before the next meeting so she can put together a list of how to attain and meet the three ideas noted above. Update on Ithaca Police Department Presentation to DAC: Chair Roberts explained that Chief Vallely recently retired, and the remaining leadership at IPD is currently involved in a trial /lawsuit out of town. An IPD Representative will plan to attend the November DAC meeting to discuss operations of the Ithaca Police Department, what IPD is, describe the organization of the department, describe issues encountered in dealing with people with disabilities, so that DAC members can gain a better understanding and perhaps provide suggestions as to how to better meet needs of the community together. Chair Roberts asked DAC members to e -mail him specific questions or topics that they would like to cover when the IPD representative attends the meeting. This will be an opportunity to share information about what the DAC is /does and how it can assist IPD and vice versa. It was noted by several members that they would not want this meeting with IPD to be contentious, and that it is not necessary the appropriate time to make accusations about past actions of the department. It needs to be an open, easygoing time of sharing information. It will be important to strike a positive tone so as not to allow anyone to become defensive in an effort to improve relationships, and provide better communication with the DAC. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC Q