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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2013-02-06DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Members: David Special Guest - Emily City Clerk — Holcomb 12:15 p.m. February 6, 2013 McElrath, Erin Sember- Chase, Amy Scott, Andrew Rappaport EXCUSED: DAC Members: Gizewski, Freilich, Anderson, Scriber Chair Roberts requested that the City Clerk's Office send a letter to DAC Member Jamie Freilich to ascertain her desire to continue serving on the Council as she has been absent for several of the past meetings. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the November 7, 2012 and January 2, 2013 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution By Andrew Rappaport: Seconded by Erin Sember -Chase RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 7, 2012 and January 2, 2013 Disability Advisory Council meetings be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Presentation by the City Clerk and Manager of Electronic Communications: City Clerk Julie Conley Holcomb and Manager of Electronic Communications Scott Kronenbitter presented information on tools that are available to the DAC to increase their visibility in the community, educate the public on issues relating to accessibility, and to collect input from citizens to assess their needs. City Clerk Holcomb reported that video needs to be re -shot on the public service announcement video that Vice Chair Gizewski is working on with her regarding handicap parking. In addition, the City Clerk's Office will be working with Ithaca High School Government students in the future to produce additional videos for use on the City's new television channel once it goes live. The DAC shared ideas for additional video, audio and hard copy public service announcements such as "Who is the DAC" snow & ice removal from sidewalks, service dogs, and parking meters. Further discussion followed on the DAC page on the City's website, available article space in the CityScene community newsletter, the E -gov tools such as "Action Line" to report broken sidewalks, survey tools, etc. Questions were asked about the status of the downtown accessibility map. City Clerk Holcomb and Chair Roberts briefly discussed the history of the project and agreed to continue to push for its completion. Discussion with the Mayor: Chair Roberts reported that he met with the Mayor and relayed the concerns of the DAC regarding the state of the sidewalks in the City, the assignment of a staff liaison to the DAC, and the appointment of Amy Scott to the DAC. City Clerk Holcomb noted that Ms. Scott's appointment was slated to be confirmed at tonight's Common Council meeting. Preparation for Future Meetings: Chair Roberts confirmed that the Mayor would be attending the March DAC meeting. The Council brainstormed issues that they would like to discuss with the Mayor such as the roles of the DAC, a staff liaison to the DAC, Common Council, and the Mayor; what kinds of things does the Mayor and Common Council want the DAC to work on ?; what kind of issues do they want input on ?, etc. Chair Roberts noted that he would invite Acting Superintendent of Public Works Ray Benjamin and Assistant Civil Engineer Lynne Yost to the April or May meeting to discuss how sidewalk repairs and installations are prioritized and how the decision making process works. February 6, 2013 Comprehensive Plan Update: Chair Roberts reported that work on the Plan is progressing. He is currently also serving on the Community Livability Sub - committee and is interested in the Infrastructure Issues Sub - committee work. Golden Shovel Award: Chair Roberts explained the history of the Golden Shovel Award which was a product of the Pedestrian Advisory Council appointed by Mayor Peterson. The award recognized residents who did a great job in keeping their sidewalks clear of snow and ice. He noted that the condition of sidewalks in the winter has improved since the adoption and enforcement of the snow and ice removal legislation in 2005. A suggestion was made that the DAC partner with the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council to bring the award back. Chair Roberts stated that he feels that curb ramps are the bigger problem as they are constantly being filled back in by snow plows and residents rarely shovel them out more than once. Chair Roberts will add this topic to the list of items to discuss with Acting Superintendent of Public Works Benjamin when he attends the DAC meeting. Minimum Parking Requirements: Chair Roberts briefly reviewed the proposed legislation being proposed by Common Council that relates to minimum parking requirements and the impact that could have on accessibility. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Larry Roberts City Clerk Chair, DAC