HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2013-08-07DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting
PRESENT:
DAC Chair — Roberts
DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski
DAC Members:
Andrew Rappaport
Jocelyn Scriber
Amy Scott
OTHERS PRESENT:
12:15 p.m.
Lisa Lunas, Tompkins County Office for the Aging
Julie Conley Holcomb, City Clerk
Scott Kronenbitter, Manager of Electronic Communications
Tim Logue, Transportation Engineer
August 7, 2013
EXCUSED:
DAC Members: David McElrath, Erin Sember- Chase, Jason Anderson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the July 3, 2013 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes —
Resolution
By DAC Member Gizewski : Seconded by DAC Member Scriber
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the July 3, 2013 Disability Advisory Council Meeting
be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
DISCUSSION:
4.1 Discussion with Scott Kronenbitter regarding web accessibility
Chair Roberts explained that he contacted Scott Kronenbitter, Manager of Electronic
Communications to discuss the best methods to disseminate an electronic survey.
They agreed that an online survey, through Survey Monkey, could be developed and
would be made available on the City's website. The goal of the survey is to generate
ideas for the DAC to work on in order to improve the lives of City residents.
Discussion followed regarding the types of questions that should be asked and how
they should be phrased so that people don't think that it is designed to address
problems specific to them. Suggestions were made such as:
• "What are the challenges you face on a frequent basis as a person with
disabilities? What accommodations could improve or remove these obstacles ?"
• Providing a list of some of the City's current initiatives to see what people think
of them (ie. audible crosswalks)
• Excluding sidewalk issues as this a topic that is being addressed separately
• Including a radio button poll to identify the responding audience by type of
disability
• Using language such as "universal design" to capture input from people who do
not self- identify as having a disability and "help Ithaca become one of the most
accessible cities by sharing your time with us"
• Working in the "Accessibility Matters" tag line
• Using the survey results to educate the public on what is /isn't being done and
why
• Recruiting the Mayor to assist in order to strengthen the outreach effort
• Providing a small gift /token or conducting a prize drawing to encourage people to
take the survey
August 7, 2013
Chair Roberts stated that he would work on the questions and would provide a draft to
the DAC at an upcoming meeting.
4.2 Discussion with Transaortation Enaineer Loaue reaardina the new
sidewalk proposal.
Chair Roberts opened a question and answer period with Transportation Engineer Tim
Logue responding to questions asked by DAC members on the following topics:
• The amount of money that will be raised in each proposed district and
how much sidewalk can be fixed within that budget
• Each district will raise different amounts of money. The City believes
that this proposal will allow as much sidewalk to be repaired as is
currently being repaired both by the City and private citizens. The City
currently spends approx..$250,000 annually and approximately
$150,000 is spent by residents
• The fee structure was developed to differentiate between single family
houses and high use areas such as large retail buildings
• Common Council can adjust the assessments in the future and the City
can still choose to add additional funds to the sidewalk program from
different sources.
• This program removes the burden from individual homeowners for
damage to sidewalks that may not have been caused by them.
• Time efficiencies will be realized due to the reduction of paperwork
required and interactions between city staff and the properties owners
resulting in work getting done faster.
• Sidewalk work will now be prioritized annually by the Board of Public
Works with the input from the neighborhoods
Resolution-
By DAC Member Rappaport: Seconded by DAC Member Scott
RESOLVED, That the Disability Advisory Council supports the Sidewalk Improvement
Proposal being considered by Common Council.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Julie Conley Holcomb, Larry Roberts
City Clerk Chair, DAC
P4