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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2013-05-01DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. May 1, 2013 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Members: Erin Sember -Chase Andrew Rappaport Jocelyn Scriber Amy Scott Information Management Specialist — Myers Lisa Lunas, Tompkins County Office for the Aging Allen Walters, past DAC Member EXCUSED: DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski DAC Members: David McElrath, Jason Anderson, Alderperson Smith APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the March 6, 2013 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes — Resolution Approval of the March 6, 2013 DAC meeting was postponed until the June DAC meeting due to lack of quorum. DISCUSSION: Discussion with Mayor Myrick regarding goals /tasks for the Disability Advisory Council: Chair Roberts thanked the Mayor for agreeing to come to the DAC meeting, and explained the recent history of the work of the DAC. He explained that DAC members need to hear from the public regarding concerns they may have related to accessibility in the City of Ithaca. He noted that the DAC is working to connect with each department head regarding various accessibility related concerns in the City of Ithaca. Recently, DAC Member Erin Sember -Chase took part in the interviewing for the new police chief. In addition, Chair Roberts participates in the comprehensive plan committee meetings. He plans to invite members of the community to a future DAC meeting to provide input regarding disabilities, accessibility issues, and input from senior citizens for the comprehensive plan. In addition, the DAC had extensive discussions regarding the lack of accessible doors at Center Ithaca. The DAC invited Frost Travis, owner of Center Ithaca, to a meeting to discuss concerns regarding the doors at Center Ithaca. As a result, Mr. Travis installed power doors at Center Ithaca to accommodate needs of the community, for which they are very thankful. He stated that the DAC met with Acting Police Chief Barber who is very interested in the DAC providing training for staff regarding working /interacting with people with mental illness as well as education on handicap parking for both the officers and the community. He noted that City Clerk Holcomb has been working with the DAC to develop public service announcements regarding handicap parking as well. Chair Roberts reported that he has also participated in the Commons Client Committee meetings. Chair Roberts stated that one of the goals of the DAC is to increase community input and involvement regarding accessibility issues and concerns in the City of Ithaca by utilizing the city's website and through surveys. The DAC felt that its membership should allow non -city residents to participate since so many people work, shop and come into the City on a regular basis. Towards that goal, they went to the Government Performance and Accountability Committee to request a change to the City Code to allow for up to 50% of the members of the DAC to be non - residents. Mayor Myrick thanked the members of the DAC for their work and time on behalf of the City of Ithaca. He noted that many boards and committees request that non - residents of the City be allowed to participate to help provide membership and diversity. He further thanked the DAC for their work with the owner of Center Ithaca to change the doors there to make them more accessible. He stated that he and Common Council members rely on good advice from the City's many boards and committees for many of their decisions. Specifically, he is looking for input from the city's boards and committees on May 1, 2013 the following items: personnel, land use, infrastructure needs. Chair Roberts stated that the DAC would really like one of its members to be part of the search committee for the Superintendent of Public Works (DAC Member Rappaport). Mayor Myrick asked that they contact Human Resources Director, Schelley Michell -Nunn, to provide contact information for when the committee is established. He explained that the search committee will interview the candidates and recommend the top three to him for selection of the final candidate. He further stated that the DAC could provide input as well for the Parking Director position. He reiterated that it is very important to him to have input from the DAC on personnel related issues, land use issues, and infrastructure issues. He can then forward any recommendations /input onto the appropriate board /committee as they begin review of different projects /development. He further explained that the sidewalk task force committee that he established would be presenting their recommendations to the Planning and Economic Development Committee at their June meeting. He would like the DAC to review those recommendations and provide input as well. DAC Member Rappaport asked if every time there is a new land use project or proposed zoning changes whether a staff person from the planning department could come to a DAC meeting to provide information as well as receive input. Mayor Myrick responded that he thought planning department staff would be happy to do that. Chair Roberts stated that the Common Council Liaison and staff liaison really help the DAC do its best work, and currently the staff liaison position is vacant. Mayor Myrick stated that he feels that someone from the engineer's office would be a good addition to the DAC — in addition to having someone from the planning department providing input on a regular basis. He asked the DAC to consider requests to those staff liaisons so as not to put too much pressure on them. Mayor Myrick stated that input on land use from the DAC will be very important especially since we are an aging population, and there is a definite need for affordable, senior housing in the City of Ithaca. He feels that the DAC will be able offer very valuable input staff as projects are developed in the future to accommodate needs of our senior citizens. DAC Member Rappaport responded that there currently is nothing in place in the City of Ithaca that encourages that market type of development (senior, affordable housing). Mayor Myrick responded that type of marketing needs to be addressed since anytime senior housing is developed it is quickly filled up, and more is needed. Chair Roberts also shared that improvements need to continue between the way TCAT and the City discuss and provide input to one another regarding new development — especially as it relates to the possible construction of senior housing and the need for bus routes to meet that future demand. Mayor Myrick noted that where you live, how you get there, and where are you going to go all depends upon whether or not there are consistent and dependable transportation options available. Chair Roberts asked what the Mayor has heard from constituents regarding accessibility needs in the City. Mayor Myrick responded that lack of affordable housing and the poor condition of sidewalks are the primary topic of conversation. As the DAC is well aware, sidewalks in some areas of the city are in need of repair and /or replacement, and some areas do not have sidewalks. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the lack of accessible housing for young (who work or attend school at CU /IC) professionals in the City of Ithaca, which is remarkable considering Cornell University and Ithaca College are two of the biggest employers in the City. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding young people with developmental /physical /mental disabilities need for accessible housing in the City of Ithaca. A lot of those young people end up living outside the City of Ithaca due to lack of housing and then encounter problems with transportation being unavailable. 61 May 1, 2013 Mayor Myrick recognized the gap in housing needs and the lack of transportation in the City of Ithaca for these two demographics of our population. A recommendation to have city staff /planners meet with representatives from the Franciska Racker Center regarding housing needs, as well as Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services so that everyone in the community has real choices for where to live. Mayor Myrick shared his personal experience with living in low- income housing that was outside the limits of public transportation, sidewalks, and not having their own transportation and the difficult life that becomes. He wants to work to make sure that affordable housing with public transportation is available for everyone in the City of Ithaca, and is working hard with city staff towards that goal. It was noted that 80 -90% of the City of Ithaca housing stock is not accessible for quadriplegics or paraplegics. Chair Roberts and the rest of the members of the DAC thanked Mayor Myrick for taking the time to come to their meeting. It sounds like housing should be a topic for discussion by the DAC. Mayor Myrick left the meeting at 1:00 p.m. UPDATES: Chair Roberts reported that a major part of the comprehensive plan will include recommendations for the types of housing stock that are needed in the City of Ithaca. He encouraged DAC members to provide input into the plan — especially related to the need for accessible housing for young professionals and young people with developmental disabilities. Discussion followed on the floor briefly regarding what it means to have certain neighborhoods in the City of Ithaca designated as historic districts; which includes preservation of the historical character and architectural features of properties. DAC Member Rappaport stated that accessibility needs can be incorporated into historic properties but it is expensive and needs to be in keeping with the historical character of the property. Discussion followed on the floor regarding what the best method of communicating and sharing information regarding development in the City so that DAC members can provide input to appropriate staff. DAC Member Sember -Chase nominated DAC Member Rappaport to be be the member of the DAC that reviews site plans /bldg plans because of his technical /architectural background expertise. She stated that he could then make determinations as to when the DAC should provide input into various projects. Chair Roberts stated that he would work to coordinate a meeting with representatives from the Franciska Racker Center and Director of Building, Planning and Economic Development, JoAnn Cornish. He further stated that he would invite Lynn Yost and Commons Project Manager, Michael Kuo to the next meeting to discuss sidewalks and the Commons reconstruction project. DAC Member Sember -Chase announced that Finger Lakes Independence Center would be holding a special 25th anniversary event at the center on May 16th from 4 pm to 7 pm. She will be sending out announcements soon, and encouraged anyone that could to plan to attend the celebration. She left the meeting at 1:20 p.m. DAC Member Scriber stated that she would be willing to volunteer to serve on the Youth Bureau Director Search Committee. Chair Roberts responded that he would talk with Human Resources Director, Schelley Michell -Nunn regarding her interest in serving on that search committee as well as DAC Member Rappaport's interest in serving on the Superintendent of Public Works Search Committee. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC V