Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2013-03-06DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. March 6, 2013 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Members: David McElrath Alderperson Smith Jocelyn Scriber Andrew Rappaport Erin Sember -Chase Amy Scott Information Management Specialist Myers EXCUSED: DAC Members: Jason Anderson DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the February 6, 2013 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution By DAC Member Rappaport: Seconded by DAC Member Scott RESOLVED, That the minutes of the February 6, 2013 Disability Advisory Council Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION: Discussion with Mayor Myrick regarding goals /tasks for the Disability Advisory Council. Common Council members were also invited to attend the meeting. Chair Roberts reported that Mayor Myrick was unable to attend today's meeting due to illness. His meeting with the DAC will be rescheduled. UPDATES: Chair Roberts reported on the following items: Former DAC Member, Jamie Freilich, resigned from the Council due to conflicts with her academic schedule. He stated that there are still several vacancies on the DAC that need to be filled, and today is DAC Member, Amy Scott's, first official meeting as a member as she was formally appointed to the DAC at the February Common Council meeting. He encouraged everyone to share information regarding the vacancies on the Council with friends and colleagues and to have them submit applications if they are interested in serving. At some point in the future, the City will be televising more board and committee meetings on its television channel, including the Disability Advisory Council meeting. He thinks that will provide an opportunity for outside participation as the public who may find it difficult to attend meetings of the DAC can watch them and provide input that way. The Commons reconstruction project is scheduled to begin in April. He stated that the DAC needs to work with the City and the project manager to ensure that paths of travel on the Commons remain accessible for everyone. He also noted that he would contact the Project Manager, Michael Kuo, to invite him to a DAC meeting or at least talk with him about concerns of the DAC as the project moves forward. Discussion followed on the floor regarding storefronts on the Commons that are not level with the pavement (meaning they have a step up to get in and out of the store) and whether there will be work included in the project to make them accessible for everyone. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding businesses that only have accessible entrances at the back of the building, how some businesses are not accessible once a person is inside, and impacts upon both the public accessing the business and the loss of revenue for the business as a result. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the need to control the number and placement of sign boards during construction on the Commons so that accessibility and pedestrian access can be maintained. March 6, 2013 The City of Ithaca has a monthly newsletter entitled "CityScene ". The March issue has an article on snow and ice removal, especially around curb ramps needing to be kept open for pedestrians and people with disabilities. He encouraged members to go to the City of Ithaca website to sign up to receive the newsletter. He has been keeping an eye on the Board of Public Works agendas and there have been very few protests made for bills from the City to property owners for sidewalk snow and ice removal services. So, it seems to him that the current program for snow and ice removal is working well. He would also like to discuss the possibility of Community Service Officers reporting un- shoveled curb ramps to the City so crews from DPW can be dispatched to clear them. Ithaca Dispatch recently acquired an accessible taxicab. It is available Sunday through Thursday 24 hours a day. Ithaca Dispatch is working with Finger Lakes Independence Center and Tompkins County DSS to find driver coverage for Fridays and Saturdays. The plan is to have the taxicab available 24/7. The DAC may be needed to provide a resolution in support, he will keep them informed. He reported that the issues are related to insurance requirements for drivers, the current pool of drivers is smaller, and the need to conduct background checks on all drivers by the Ithaca Police Department. This task has been delegated to a sub - contractor that is only able to work on them on a limited basis which causes a delay in processing applications. He has encouraged the City to find an effective, efficient way for drivers to be licensed. The City has a sub- committee of Common Council members working on the whole taxi licensing issue and the regulatory process at this time. It was noted that this new accessible taxi cab is available for use by everyone, not just for people in wheelchairs. OTHER UPDATES: DAC Member Sember -Chase reported that she was appointed to the New Police Chief Search Committee to represent the Workforce Diversity Advisory Council. The first meeting of the committee is March 11`". She stated that she wanted input from DAC members as to any thoughts or experiences, as people with disabilities that they may want to share as questions are put together for the actual interviews with applicants. She asked DAC members to e -mail her any thoughts as she has to bring at least one question to the interview. Chair Roberts suggested the following two questions: 1. What type of experience do they have working /interacting with people with disabilities? 2. What is the appropriate tone /policy to set for the police department regarding interacting with people with disabilities for IPD staff? Chair Roberts also expressed the need for the committee and the police department to understand that DAC members have experiences and information that can be shared during this process, and to ask anytime for input or assistance. DAC Member Scriber reported on behalf of Friends of Franziska Racker Centers and People with Disabilities on the following: Late last week they were informed that Governor Cuomo has proposed cutting the rates of all non - profits who serve individuals with developmental disabilities by 6% effective April 1, 2013. For Racker Centers that would be a cut of almost $1 million per year. Needless to say this is very disheartening! We are all in favor of a balanced budget, but putting it on the backs of people with disabilities is just plain WRONG. We feel that the most effective way to change this proposal is to have an advocacy effort where staff and families write Governor Cuomo and their legislative leaders (no emails, they need real mail) and tell them that this arbitrary last minute cut will hurt people with disabilities and their families. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, Governor Cuomo is scheduled to make his final budget amendments on March 11th. We need to convince him to change his mind before then. March 6, 2013 DAC Member Sember -Chase left the meeting at 1:15 p.m. DAC Member Scriber stated that if the proposal from the Governor is approved many smaller centers will be affected and may need to close. This also impacts Challenge Industries. She stated that 1,000 letters have already been sent to State representatives, but more are needed. She also reported that the State has changed early intervention regulations, and the new law will go into effect without contracts in place with providers because of the lack of time for review and changes /suggestions to be incorporated into the contracts. NEW BUSINESS: DAC Member McElrath, as liaison to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council, reported that they are encouraging the City to paint /re- stripe cross walks and curb cuts. Chair Roberts stated that he would invite the Chair of BPAC to a future DAC meeting. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC Q