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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2014-05-07DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. May 7, 2014 PRESENT: Chair Roberts DAC Members: Sember -Chase McElrath Anderson Rappaport Scott Scriber Information Management Specialist — Myers Sidewalk Program Manager — Hathaway City Clerk - Holcomb EXCUSED: DAC Member /Vice Chair - Gizewski Approval of December, 4, 2013, March 19, 2014, and April 2, 2014 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes - Resolution By DAC Member McElrath: Seconded by DAC Member Sember -Chase RESOLVED, That the minutes of the December, 4, 2013, March 19, 2014, and April 2, 2014 Disability Advisory Council Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Public Outreach /Education Discussion with City Clerk Holcomb: City Clerk Holcomb shared a short video on handicap parking requirements, which was produced by an Ithaca High School student, who worked as an intern in the Department of Public Information and Technology during the Fall Semester. There were some technical difficulties with the sound, so she will e -mail the file to DAC members so they can see and hear it better. City Clerk Holcomb announced that the City's new website will be launched on June 19th. They will have a video center on the site from which to launch it as well as any other places the DAC may want to show it. She is hoping that this PSA is just one of a series in the future. Her office will have two student interns during the Fall and Spring semesters to utilize for production of public service videos and announcements. New Sidewalk Program — Discussion: Larry explained DAC's leading role in the City's sidewalk program related to changes about snow /ice removal, as well as to assist in setting priorities for sidewalk repair /replacement work. Sidewalk Program Manager Hathaway explained how in the past property owners were responsible for the physical condition of their sidewalk as well as the liability. For one reason or another sidewalks weren't getting repaired as they should. Now, the City is responsible for the maintenance, repair, replacement, and in some instances construction of new sidewalk. The City has established five sidewalk benefit assessment districts where property owners pay an annual fee that goes into an account specifically designated for sidewalk repair work in that district. The 2014 sidewalk construction schedule should be finalized and adopted at tonight's Common Council meeting. Some of that work will be contracted out and some will be done by city staff. Discussion followed on the floor regarding what sidewalk work is scheduled to be completed in 2014. There will be two crews working on the same sidewalk in an effort to complete as many sidewalks as possible. Next year, they hope to have two crews working in different areas. DAC Member Scriber arrived at 12:36 p.m. Sidewalk Program Manager Hathaway also noted that some areas are more challenging than others to complete sidewalk repairs. They hope, but it depends on the weather and physical condition of the sidewalks to spend as much money as has been allocated during this construction season, and to do as much work as possible in each district. He further stated that he would plan to attend a future DAC meeting and bring more statistics to discuss further. Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes May 7, 2014 Citizen Pruner's Presentation - Monika Roth: Chair Roberts explained that essentially the City has most of the pieces in place for a successful snow and ice removal program, except for the problem of removing snow and ice from curb ramps. That has been a big road block in the program that everyone agrees is going to take a lot of thought to begin to address. At a previous meeting, DAC members were brainstorming approaches to take to solving this problem and using something akin to the "Citizen Pruner Program" (such as a "adopt a curb ramp" like the "golden shovel award" concept). He has asked Ms. Roth, from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Coordinator for the "Citizen Pruner Program" to the DAC meeting because he thought it would be helpful to not only have an overview of that program but some 'real world' advice on what this kind of approach actually takes, problems, and what's reasonable to expect in terms of outcomes. Ms. Roth distributed information regarding the Citizen Pruner Program that outlined the volunteer job description, specific tasks (for pruning trees /shrubs), meetings, assisting in public education, working relationships, training, volunteer commitment, volunteer schedule, qualifications, and application process which includes a background check specifically related to the NYS Sex Offenders registry. The "Citizen Pruner Program" is a cooperative program with the City of Ithaca, who provides a little funding for the program. She explained that volunteers learn how to correctly prune trees and shrubs so there is a direct benefit to them for volunteering their time. It hasn't been hard to recruit volunteers through the use of press releases, and neighborhood listserves. They also prefer small groups; 10 people at a work session is a lot and hard to manage. Two training /work sessions are offered at which either she or the City Forester provides the training and supervision. The volunteers learn the most by doing the work. They have a set schedule between May and October each year for the work to be done. They offer one session on Monday evenings and one session Tuesday mornings. The program does not require volunteers to participate in a set number of hours and it's their choice whether or not to participate. Another benefit of the program for volunteers is that people in the city appreciate what they do; it's nice to get immediate positive feedback from people. They only work on trees in curb lawns and parks, and as such are able to educate both volunteers and property owners about the trees within the tree lawn belonging to the City of Ithaca — some property owners are unaware of that fact. Ms. Roth explained that the program places heavy emphasis on training and learning a skill because either she or the City Forester is always there for each session. That kind of oversight wouldn't be needed for the clearing of curb ramps. She stated that the City could encourage volunteers by letting them know how good it feels to do something for their neighbors, as well as being thanked and appreciated by their neighbors. Another positive for volunteers would be that their volunteer service would be in a setting where they don't have to go to meetings and they can do something active that provides them with some exercise. Another thing to consider is that the work of the Citizen Pruners Program has a lasting impact on how the trees will look in the future - that wouldn't occur with the clearing of ice and snow from the curb ramps. However, there are a couple of benefits which include being able to work outdoors and it's a way to contribute in a very positive manner to the community and their neighbors. She would encourage the City to start with small group of volunteers to get oriented; to assign areas (curb ramps), and have some system in place where people would call in where they need assistance in cleaning the curb ramp by their property. Another option would be to have a set of volunteers that cover a certain block radius. There are a lot of great people in this community that are more than willing to volunteer. DAC Member Sember -Chase questioned whether there would be any funding from the City of Ithaca to sponsor a program like this for snow /ice removal from curb ramps around the City? Chair Roberts responded that the DAC would probably have to work with someone to develop what the costs would be, etc. He likes the idea that the Citizen Pruners go all over the city to prune trees and shrubs. He is a little worried about the logistics of managing a program for the entire City, and would say that it makes sense to look at different approaches to getting the curb 2 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes May 7, 2014 ramps cleared of snow and ice. There is some support for the DAC coming up with an idea that would work to address the problem, and the program would have to be manageable as well as successful if it wants to ask the City of Ithaca to provide resources — both financially and personnel wise. DAC Member Sember -Chase stated that any program the DAC develops would need to include a "point person" (like the City Forester is for the Citizen Pruner Program) in the City to work with. The DAC can't manage a program, and the City of Ithaca may not be able to manage it either so maybe there could be an agency (FLIC ? ?) to manage some of the program -- depending on what it looks like. Chair Roberts stated that since the DAC was integral in developing a policy for the City of Ithaca regarding the prompt removal of snow and ice from sidewalks, he thinks there would be support, especially from the Board of Public Works, to think at a systemic level how to manage a program that would oversee volunteers removing snow and ice from curb ramps around the City. DAC Member Sember -Chase stated that in addition to the training of volunteers for work on curb ramps that safety training would be imperative on how to remain safe while clearing the ramps (especially since some curb ramps are located at very busy intersections) as well as the proper technique for shoveling so that backs are not injured. The program would need to make sure volunteers and DPW are not working at cross purposes either. Chair Roberts reminded everyone that property owners do a great job, for the most part, to shovel out their curb ramps. However, when the plow fills it in again it's not fair to ask someone to do the curb ramp more than once since no other snow has fallen. Discussion followed on the floor regarding possible approaches to the problem. Some suggestions included finding out more information about the "Adopt a Highway Program ", how Lifelong gets volunteers to shovel sidewalks for seniors in the City who need assistance, as well as the "Adopt a Hydrant Program" that the Ithaca Fire Department oversees. Ms. Roth stated that her sense is that the DAC would need to designate zones; volunteers would work within zones and be provided with a map of curb ramps; or, do by whatever neighborhood through the neighborhood association. Once that is done, she thinks that recruitment of volunteers would not be hard. In addition to the training of the volunteers, there may be a need to also subsidize tools (maybe volunteers need shovels or ice picks ? ?). That is what Cornell Cooperative Extension uses the money from the City of Ithaca for. Chair Roberts stated that it may be that whatever solution the DAC is able to develop may be some kind of combination of programs taking advice from Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Ithaca Fire Department for their volunteer programs. Some other suggestions that were made for recruitment of volunteers included use of people in the county jail — i.e. work release programs or alternatives to incarceration programs. Ms. Roth stated that she can help the DAC minimally through Cornell Cooperative Extension to advise, recruit, and to help get the word out about whatever program the DAC develops. Chair Roberts and members of the DAC thanked Ms. Roth for her time and very useful information about how they might implement a volunteer program for the clearing of snow and ice from curb ramps. DAC Member Scriber asked whether the program should include "back -up" volunteers for particular areas if the first volunteer is away or not available, and the DAC thought that would be needed to ensure the program is successful. Chair Roberts suggested the possible recruitment of volunteers from within the newly established sidewalk districts, as well as a coordinator to monitor those volunteers. He further stated that safety of the volunteers is a very important consideration both physically and cardiac wise since some areas where curb ramps are located can become really busy with both pedestrians and vehicles. Sidewalk Program Manager Hathaway stated that he could share any possible program that the DAC might be able to establish at specific sidewalk district neighborhood meetings when the new sidewalk program is discussed. This might assist in raising awareness of the need and information as to who to contact if people are interested in volunteering in this way. Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes May 7, 2014 Recruitment of new DAC Members — Discussion: Chair Roberts explained that the DAC is made up of 12 members, currently there are 8 members, and 4 vacancies. He would like to fill the vacancies with someone who has an expertise or disability that is missing from the current DAC membership make -up. His thoughts include senior citizens, IFD - IPD perspectives, different racial perspectives, youth /college age perspective, and someone connected to or a user of mental health services. In addition, the 4 vacancies need to be filled by volunteers who live in the City of Ithaca. He asked DAC members to send him information about anyone they might know that they feel might be a good fit for membership on the DAC. Continuation of Discussion of Best Way to Publicize the Results of the DAC Survey: Chair Roberts stated that the DAC needs to focus on the public education component based upon feed back from the survey. He would like the DAC to spend a big part of their next meeting discussing how to publicize the results of survey and communicate it to elected officials - what would make sense for a strategy? Updates: Emergency Repair Work to Bathrooms at the Large Pavilion at Stewart Park: Chair Roberts reported that he had a good meeting with Director of Engineering West recently because the City of Ithaca needs to immediately attend to the bathrooms at Stewart Park in the large pavilion. He is happy with the proposed drawings and approach to accessibility in the bathrooms. Accessibility Accommodations on The Commons: Chair Roberts has also been in touch with Gary Ferguson, from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, about his input to the information for building and business owners that DAC Member Sember- Chase prepared in terms of approaching them about using the Commons redesign for an opportunity to adjust some slopes and other obstacles to accessibility. Mr. Ferguson will get back to the DAC with his opinion on how to approach that situation. It was noted that the time for addressing those concerns is nearly running out since the Commons Redesign project is scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2014. Adjournment: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:24 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC 2