HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2014-03-19DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. March 19, 2014
(regular meeting on 3/5/14 was canceled due to lack of quorum)
PRESENT:
DAC Chair — Roberts
DAC Members - David McElrath, Amy Scott, Andrew Rappaport
CC Liaison — Cynthia Brock
Information Management Specialist — Myers
EXCUSED:
DAC Members: Gizewski, Anderson, Scriber, Sember -Chase
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of December 4, 2013 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes -
Resolution
Approval of the minutes was post -poned until the April 2, 2014 meeting.
Discussion of Sidewalk Program with Superintendent of Public Works - Michael
Thorne:
Supt. Thorne introduced himself and explained some his background. He started work
for the City in January 2014 so he is still learning about operations of the City. His
background is being a civil engineer, he and his family live in Ithaca. He attended
graduate school and obtained a Masters Degree in real estate. After graduation he went
to Washington, D.C. to work in real estate development. He also worked with the FAA
on the building renovations. While working in Washington, D.C. his family stayed here --
so he traveled back and forth. He stated that this job is ideal for him, and he has a lot to
learn. He appreciated the invitation to the DAC meeting, and likes to attend other City
meetings to see where the Department of Public Works can be of assistance.
He knows that one of the biggest issues for the department right now is the clearing of
sidewalks - especially curb cuts. He doesn't know what the answer is at this point, the
City is struggling for money, and he is open to suggestions. At this point though, the
clearing of snow and ice from curb cuts is the adjacent property owner's responsibility,
even if it has to be done again when the plows come through and push more snow into
them. So, some city blocks become inaccessible because of curb cuts being full of
snow from plow.
DAC Member Scott noted that she saw a mini plow plowing the City sidewalk recently,
and wondered if that plow could also do the curb cuts.
Supt. Thorne responded that he is still trying to get a grasp about DPW's equipment
inventory. He also noted that the curb cut issue was discussed at the Board of Public
Works recently, and how the City might do that work. The department needs more
people and equipment at this time, and the issue all comes down to the City's poor
financial situation. He stated that one option that was discussed about the clearing of
curb cuts throughout the City was whether it be a contracted service, since it would be
limited in extent some private contractor might be interested.
Alderperson Brock questioned whether the City plow that does plows the sidewalk
through all city property, the bridges, and Commons might be used to clear curb cuts.
Chair Roberts responded that the City's plow equipment will plow the snow and ice on
private property once the City's property has been cleared. That process is no longer
complaint based; although there is an Exterior Maintenance code inspector that will go
out and ticket property owners for their unshoveled sidewalk. He stated that there seem
to be two issues of concern; one is the charge to property owners for having the City
clear their unshoveled sidewalk is $50.00 (whatever the labor cost is) plus
administrative fees. There have been discussions taking place about increasing the fine
for second time offenders.
Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes March 19, 2014
A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding a concern about raising the fine due to
the lapse in time between a violation notice being mailed to the property owner and the
City clearing the sidewalk and then billing the property owner. That lapse in time does
not give the property owner enough time to take care of the sidewalk before the City
comes in to clear it. The property owner should be given some opportunity to remedy
the situation, and respond to the violation;
Chair Roberts stated that the remaining issue is the removal of snow and ice from curb
ramps.
Supt. Thorne questioned whether some street curb cuts have higher priority than
others?
DAC Member Rappaport responded that there are a few priorities that he can think of
for priority curb ramps such as where crossing guards are for schools, and then the split
priority for the downtown area for residents with a disability.
Alderperson Brock suggested that perhaps there could be an "adopt an intersection"
program - similar to the "adopt a fire hydrant ". A neighborhood could adopt an
intersection and take care of all four corners and do it with that kind of social recognition
and support.
Supt. Thorne responded that he liked the idea of "adopting an intersection" since there
are more intersections than fire hydrants in the City.
Alderperson Brock stated that the City could publicize, promote, and educate the public
about the program, and then recognize outstanding groups for their work in the Spring
in some way. Chair Roberts noted that this proposal goes with the Healthy Living
initiatives that are being promoted in the area as well. He further noted that there is a
huge desire for more public education on the part of the City as far as the public's
responsibility for doing certain things, and for the city supporting and recognizing people
in the community with disabilities.
Chair Roberts stated that one idea has been whether community service officers could
be involved in reporting where there are problems in neighborhoods with curb cuts not
being cleared. He will check with Parking Director Nagy to get his thoughts on the idea.
He is also not sure whether or not some of the money from the new Sidewalk
Improvement Districts might be used to provide support for the clearing of curb cuts
throughout the City. Alderperson Brock responded that there probably wouldn't be
money available from that source, at least at this point.
DAC Member Rappaport expressed his perspective as a DAC member that even with
the new Sidewalk Improvement District assessments, the City is woefully behind in its
sidewalk maintenance, will never catch up, and that conditions will only get worse. If you
look at amount of money the program will collect versus what needs to be repaired it will
be very hard to reach the level of sidewalk improvements that everyone would like to
see.
A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding the new Sidewalk Improvement
District Assessments and the overall better management of the sidewalk program by the
City that should result in more consistent sidewalk improvements taking place than in
the past. This is a positive step forward that will allow the City to raise the amount of
money to do what actually needs to be done to keep people safe on its sidewalks
without the need to raise property taxes.
Chair Roberts asked who was in charge of the fire department's "adopt a hydrant"
program. Alderperson Brock responded that it is Lt. Tom Basher. DAC Chair Roberts
will reach out to him to see if he might be able to attend a DAC meeting to discuss the
program or provide information to the DAC about how effective that has been. He also
would like to reach out and invite some people involved with Cornell Cooperative
Extensions Citizen Pruner and Healthy Living programs to a future DAC meeting to
discuss and collaborate about their programs as far as the "adopt an intersection"
proposal is concerned.
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Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes March 19, 2014
DAC Member Rappaport reported that the steps into and out of the elevators at Seneca
Street parking garage (one has to step up and step down to access the elevator) are
difficult for people with disabilities. In addition, he spoke with Parking Director Nagy in
December about the second elevator in the Seneca Street garage, which was out of
service at the time to see how long it would be before the repair work was completed.
He was told that it would be a couple months; it still is not repaired. He is not sure what
the code is about the need to have two working elevators; but the one on the Aurora
Street side is not working. Supt. Thorne responded that he would speak with Parking
Director Nagy to see when the elevator will be repaired.
DAC members expressed their thanks and appreciation to Supt. Thorne for taking the
time to meet with them today.
Review of Written Comments from the Survey and Discussion of Next Steps
Chair Roberts reported that the biggest area of need in the community that DAC
Member Sember -Chase pulled out during her in -depth review of the survey answers
was the need for community education regarding accessibility needs.
CC Liaison Brock questioned whether the DAC has invited staff from the Building
Department to talk with them about accessibility issues with obstructions in the sidewalk
area such as signs, tables, chairs, etc. blocking pedestrian access. Chair Roberts
responded that he has discussed concerns that have been raised about those types of
obstructions with City Clerk Holcomb who is able to communicate with offenders about
the need to keep sidewalks open and clear at all times for everyone. The public also
needs education about not parking vehicles across sidewalks which obstructs the path
of travel. DAC Member Scott shared an experience she had walking with a co- worker
near Meadow Street where there was a car parked across curb cut, that could have
resulted in very serious personal injury to someone who is visually impaired. She was
glad to have someone walking with her at the time.
Chair Roberts stated that DAC Member Sember -Chase suggested that the DAC pick
from the issues identified in the survey results, for example, public education around
different city ordinances with regard to snow /ice removal, handicap parking, and
sidewalk obstructions etc. something to focus on in terms of further discussion.
Alderperson Brock reported that a community in Fort Collins Colorado conducted a
survey on the topic of environmental conservation. The format of the survey was
statements of fact about city policies /ordinances with a check box for yes or no as a way
to do public awareness /educational outreach. The simple responses showed whether or
not the public was aware of the policies /ordinances, so that Fort Collins could focus on
those areas that the public was least aware of in public education outreach. She thought
the DAC might want to think about doing something similar to that in a future survey.
One example would be to provide statements of fact about who you contact for certain
items to see if the public knows the answer. Chair Roberts thinks that would be a good
way to do a future survey.
Another topic for further exploration from the survey is the ability of the City to respond
to requests for accommodations at meetings. A concern raised was the inability to hear
at different public meetings or to see the people in the meeting.
A suggestion was made that it might be a good idea to reserve the first row of seating in
Common Council Chambers at various meetings for people with special needs. At the
beginning of each meeting the Chair could make a statement that the first row of seating
should be available for whoever needs it during the regular announcements. This is
something small and easy to do that would provide a huge benefit to people.
Chair Roberts explained that when Tompkins County remodeled the legislatures
meeting space, they purchased an assisted listening system that people who are hard
of hearing can use during the meetings. City Clerk Holcomb is very interested in talking
with people about that same type or similar type system for City meetings for use in
Common Council Chambers. What it would look like, cost, and when it would make
sense to install something like that. The idea has arisen because there were one or two
Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
March 19, 2014
requests from people who are hard of hearing that microphones in Common Council
Chamber do not provide enough amplification. So, the only way someone could get an
assisted listening device was to plug into the cable equipment in the media room, but
then they could not see the meeting proceedings.
Chair Roberts will follow up with City Clerk Holcomb to see where she is in the process.
DAC Member Rappaport responded that he did the initial design for Tompkins County
so he could provide input and information on that system.
It was also noted that with any system that might be selected that we need to make sure
the audio is audible, and the meeting easy to watch and listen to.
Chair Roberts will set up a meeting with City Clerk Holcomb to put together a draft of
items discussed by the DAC today and from the survey results that would be useful to
put out as public service announcements on a regular /routine basis.
Alderperson Brock will also try to locate the Fort Collins, Colorado survey so DAC
members can review it.
It was noted that the public is not the only place that further education /outreach should
be occurring. Various city departments need education on certain accessibility
laws /information. For example, for the Ithaca Police Department, they need to know
that people with disabilities are allowed to use Segways, and that it is okay for the IPD
to ask if the use of the Segway is for a disability, but they cannot ask what the disability
is. They do need to know that before they stop people and tell them that they can't use
it.
Chair Roberts asked everyone to review DAC Member Sember- Chases evaluation of
the survey responses further so that further discussion can take place about how and
what to proceed with.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts
Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC
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