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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2013-09-04DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. September 4, 2013 PRESENT: DAC Chair — Roberts DAC Members: Erin Sember -Chase Jason Anderson Andrew Rappaport Jocelyn Scriber Amy Scott Information Management Specialist — Myers OTHERS PRESENT: Karim Beers, Get Your Green Back — Tompkins County Frank Nagy, City of Ithaca Director of Parking EXCUSED: DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski DAC Member - David McElrath Alderperson Smith APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of August 7, 2013 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes - Resolution By:DAC Member Sember- Chase: Seconded By DAC Member Rappaport RESOLVED, That the minutes of the August 7, 2013 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION: Chair Roberts introduced Karim Beers, from Get Your Green Back - Tompkins County. He explained that Mr. Beers would like to talk about the creation of a transportation advocacy group in the City of Ithaca. Mr. Beers explained that Get Your Green Back — Tompkins County is a community based campaign to inspire households within Tompkins County and every business in Tompkins County to take at least one step to save money and energy in the areas of food, waste, transportation, and heating and lighting. He stated that he would like to discuss with the DAC the topic of transportation and what alternative steps can be taken by everyone to not use a vehicle which produces one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile driven. Alternatives include — car pooling, public transportation (buses), biking, walking, car sharing, or just driving less. He would like to discuss where there are overlaps in the current system, and where changes could be made. He explained that TCAT and Cornell University representatives are working to form an "active" transportation group that will focus on alternate means of transportation other than vehicles, with the focus primarily on biking and walking. Both of these are good for our health, finances, environment, and community. Mr. Beers explained that the group is applying for funding for 2014 in order to have a full -time staff person who can work on advocacy within the City for alternative means of transportation, to insure there is adequate infrastructure in place to make it safe and inviting to use for walking, biking and to support the "Streets Alive" initiative. He noted that there would be a "Streets Alive" event on Sunday, September 22, 2013 between 1 pm and 4 pm on the south side of the City (South Plain Street area /Southside Community Center area) and encouraged everyone to attend and to get the word out about the event. He further stated that "Get Your Green Back" wants to make alternate transportation comfortable for everyone. They are aware of issues that need to be addressed related to the condition of sidewalks in the City or the lack thereof in certain areas. He also explained that Jeff Boles, from Finger Lakes Independence Center has offered to volunteer with their group to offer support and information on accessibility needs. Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes September 4, 2013 In addition, the following people are on their committee as well - Fernando D'Aragon, Jeanne Leccese /Vicki Armstrong (creating healthy places), Steve Powell (Finger Lakes Cycle), Tim Logue /Kent Johnson (City of Ithaca Transportation Engineers), Carthics Ramara who is new to this area but worked in similar program in Washington, DC, and Lois Chaplin (she knows a lot about how to make a community more inviting to bike /walk in), Daniel Keough (Chair of BPAC) may also join the committee. He wondered if anyone from the DAC would be interested in volunteering as well. Chair Roberts stated that he feels there are two ways that this advocacy group can help assist the Disability Advisory Council. The first is the need for sidewalks that are well maintained as well as constructing sidewalks where there are none. The second is to assist in efforts for snow and ice removal from sidewalks throughout the City. He will also discuss with the new Parking Director ways that Community Service Officers might be able to assist in making sure sidewalks, particularly curb ramps, are kept clear and free of ice and snow by reporting them to the appropriate department for action. DAC Member Sember -Chase questioned whether it would be beneficial to have someone from the Ithaca Police Department serve on the committee as well. Mr. Beers responded that they would love to have someone from the police department, but don't at this point. DAC Member Scriber arrived at 12:30 p.m. Chair Roberts noted that he has received comments about bikers riding on the sidewalk, where they shouldn't be. This is a real problem for everyone — especially those in wheelchairs or the visually impaired; it needs to be addressed. The Disability Advisory Council has discussed this and would like to do some educational outreach to the community about the need for sidewalks to be open for pedestrians. DAC Members shared their experiences with similar problems on city sidewalks being used by bicyclists, and how dangerous it is. Mr. Beers responded that these are areas where they can collaborate with the DAC. He stated that research says more people would bike if it were safer on the streets or roads for them. If that problem can be addressed then the bikes would be off the sidewalks. In addition, the DAC and Mr. Beers both agreed that both bikers and drivers in vehicles need to follow and obey the established traffic rules. Better enforcement might help to address those concerns as well. Mr. Beers thanked the DAC for allowing him the opportunity to speak during their meeting about this new initiative. UPDATES: Finalize questions to be used in survey on the City's website: Chair Roberts stated that he e- mailed everyone just before today's meeting a draft survey; he also provided hard copies to everyone at the meeting. He wanted to give Scott Kronenbitter, Manager of Electronic Communications, something to work with as he prepares the online survey. Chair Roberts stated that he reviewed the minutes from the DAC's August meeting for topics and things discussed in order to offer a broad range of questions and not state topics that the DAC is already aware of and trying to address. He also is not particularly interested in asking what people's disabilities are because he doesn't feel that it is important; although depending upon statements made some assumptions can be made. He is interested in where they live, and would also like to add what street they live on - not specific address - so the DAC can get a sense of what "their neighborhood is ". Chair Roberts asked everyone to review the survey and let him know by early next week any changes /edits /additions /clarifications they might have so he can work with Mr. Kronenbitter to put the survey online. He thanked everyone for their assistance with the survey preparation. Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes September 4, 2013 DISCUSSION: The new City of Ithaca Parking Director, Frank Nagy, introduced himself to the DAC and provided some background information on his experience managing parking. Chair Roberts explained that he asked Mr. Nagy to come to the meeting and provide an overview, to share what his plans are, and to explain some of the concerns the DAC has regarding enforcement of handicap parking rules. He further explained that a couple years ago, the DAC worked with Judge Rossiter to raise fines for handicap parking tickets. He also has an idea of something he'd like to talk about regarding snow and ice removal on sidewalks, particularly curb ramps, as it relates to Community Service Officers. Mr. Nagy thanked the DAC for inviting him to their meeting. He distributed his business card to everyone, and requested that DAC members contact him anytime with any concerns or problems they might encounter relating to parking in the City of Ithaca. He stated that when he was hired he was informed that the City of Ithaca subsidizes parking and will probably continue to do that. He stated that is a problem for him as he is coming to the City from the private sector and that is not his way of doing business. He has 15 years experience as parking manager in many different states (Mass, CT, NH, Maine, and NY). He has a plan that will make parking in the City not have to be subsidized and more convenient using new technology and working with personal contacts in the parking industry. He performed an audit on the three city parking garages, and found where there are trouble spots, brand new equipment (expensive equipment) that needs to be upgraded, and utilized. Through this audit they found a $60,000 revenue loss in the Green /Seneca Street garages due to current operating procedures and by not using the pay machines in the garages. He needs to plug holes in that system and the next step is to evaluate on- street parking. He has met with vendors regarding pay stations and how the City wants to use them. It is his goal for everyone to be able to pay for parking from wherever they may be using credit cards, and Smartphone technology. He explained that with smart phone technology using license plate recognition software will help with 2 hour limit parking enforcement, and will replace the current system of chalking. In addition he wants to have business owners /employees parking in the garages, at a better permit rate than currently so spots near businesses will be available to customers. He explained how people currently play the system. He also explained how the pay stations work, and where they would be located. Chair Roberts asked about the interactivity of the proposed parking technology tools for people with manual dexterity issues, especially metered parking where it can be difficult for someone in a wheelchair to access the meter to pay it. Mr. Nagy explained that with the proposed new system parkers can go to any meter and pay for whatever parking space they may be in. In addition, the buttons will be huge on the machines which will also be able to accept credit cards or payment online even with cell phone can be done, it could even progress to the point where there would be a symbol on the meter /pay stations that can be scanned with any smart phone and payment made that way. Chair Roberts asked what Mr. Nagy has learned what about the abuse of handicap parking spaces in the City. Mr. Nagy responded that it is a problem and he wishes he had more staff on the street to address it. He is not sure the current fine is high enough, but he does have a lot of experience with the issue and looks forward to working with the DAC to address the problem. Chair Roberts stated that the DAC would love to provide input on that system, and he is pleased that Mr. Nagy has that type of experience with handicap parking concerns. Mr. Nagy stated that the City needs to take seriously the need to make accommodations for handicap parking. He stated that they are making accommodations on the block around the Seneca Street garage during its shutdown for handicap parking. He stated his staff is not able to do anything about handicap parking violations on private property unless the property owner calls to make a complaint to the City and then either the Community Service Officers or IPD Officers can respond. V Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes September 4, 2013 The DAC expressed their thanks to Parking Director Nagy for taking the time to come to their meeting, and discuss his goals for parking in the City of Ithaca. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC ll