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Home My WebLink AboutMN-DAC-1993 DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES March 3, 1993 Present: Kuhn, Farrel, Pogson, Merritt, Golder, Farruggio, Mohn, Art Stern (guest), Leslie Chatterton (guest), Jean Finley (guest), Doria Higgins (guest) The meeting opened at 12:10. February minutes were approved as amended. City Access Report Update - Leslie Chatterton. City Planning Ms. Chatterton informed the DAC of the city's ADA accessibility evaluation. Because the City did a 1985 Rehabilitation Act survey, it is not required to do a second survey under ADA. However, because the previous work was incomplete, a second evaluation will be initiated using ADA regulations. A transition plan will be completed by July 1993 and all stuctrual changes done by January of 1995. An evaluation form will be developed and brought before the DAC at its April meeting before it is circulated through all city departments. Ms. Chatterton spoke on the disability areas that would be covered by the evaluation. She asked DAC members to once again review the 1992 update for the 504 City Access Survey and bring their ideas to her. Leslie's schedule begins March 1st. Between April and May work will be done with city department heads to spot accessibility needs. Brenda suggested that a person with a disability be included in this interview process. She and Leslie will work on this. A public meeting for additional input will be held in mid -April. Plans for changes from the department heads are due by July. Art Stern suggested that the group Access Alternatives from Cornell be invited to contribute input for the evaluation. Ms. Chatterton requested and was granted 40 minutes on the DAC April agenda to work on this project. Stewart Park Update Neil spoke with Mayor Nichols. He will check the BPW work plan. He also suggested using our BPW liaison, Jill Tripp. Jon brought the issue before the BPW and spoke with Bill Gray. Mr. Gray said the project would be completed when the weather broke. Jon will get a copy of the work plan. The City's Human Services Committee Neil explained the function of the Human Services Committee and asked the DAC to brainstorm ways that it could be of service. Neil suggested that the DAC report to Common Council every month. Jon volunteered to go to March's meeting. Treman Marina - Doria Higgins, Jean Finley Ms. Higgins spoke on the plan for new construction at the marina. She and Ms. Finley are strongly against it and seek the DAC's support for their position. Discussion followed and a decision was made to put the item on our next agenda for a proposal. Snow and Ice Removal LeMoyne reported on her meeting with Rich Farrel. She has gathered evidence of snow removal negligence from a given site and wanted the DAC's okay to bring it before Rick. She was encouraged to do so. The meeting adjourned at 1 :45. 0... w ^y+w i�o cSU w• yq N �b' 7 ry 3 c8 w ��Q Ca rr. ID ,shoveled walks violate y ; 1. g ° a T° a•'a g _ _• 2 _ t7 �� (� O �r y law,obstruct walkers s' 0-0'0 E. v E 3 +o fD ° 70 �• I am writing to plea)a ease for all �?co.0.�::Er 7 tJ Vii-g.N '3 �'w W lestrians who have been unaMe,to y y o c o o o . d co c p �-'• O Q'�"O C'O W ..GO.0 2.CD = ry P lk during the winter.First,1 would _ , » X V, -rr'y v5 ., ° 2 y w cco N w o ao w $ to thank those of you who have •E o a Q =•y"+ w w w °� ° lip E p < _ n n considerate enough to shovel cv o R g 0.n o CD Cr°e o.w w 17'o E 0 _ CD N ' W it walks and curb cuts. 5 o �. y o b w o S 'd _ F Unfortunately, there is a much _y ^ _ o 3 C7 =CD ° - " D I icr side to this story.There are i „o, S d n o y,^+ ❑ cc O$a _ 8 E w ti �, CD n me people who even though there °e H e° N.� ° a ° a a y _° c`DD °.0 11 ao 7 o e m r"r .c laws which say that you are y n CO o < ...o - s 7W' `0- ° < ° =°a o v n o 0.. o .� w 3 _.s7 ..o _.R c _ 0 sponsih►c for shoveling your own ° ?_ 0 — y..o E .�m ro F• o C CA o f . ilk and curb cuts refuse to comply o w r;a ��, s B CD l viously these peo CD s- ° ° n F° �'E.the law.Ob c o w e r .kc it very difficult if not imposst Sy o ~0.x many people to walk. "1 It 5'rt 1 would like to make it clear that a^_ O t hese conditions aftect all pedestrians 3 ,ut especially people with mobility R:`n c out visual impairments, senior cite , o o :5 Y 3 ,»cwa� <ens,and people positing baby car- r, � _ � v rages. �:.CD A law in place requires all Ithaca 1 �ity residents to shovel their walks, "Z ca mJ if you live on a corner.you also ; y o n ;o-O,.� A '0.a You have ' must clear the curb cut 4 0 _ , E ° �D hours after it stops snowing to accxrm w A plish this task. After that,if someone s S reports you to the Ithaca City I cD 7 _ I)epartmcnt of Public Works,they a s s`D ��A can come shovel Your walk and charge j o 8 0 .1= A you for this,plus you will be fined by 1< m p Q•UQ . ��• the city. F =cD n law should solve Sounds like the 11 ' y the problem,right'? Well,Jet's keep - l ��a dreaming.The law itself is fine,but y C 3 7:. A there is just no one to enforce it.The i c e o result of this is that homeowners who 1 11 m b w ri wish not to comply with the law can w n ii—,q f he reasonably sure that they can con- ,� f.=0 8 tinuc this practice. 1 am being this r e gam 'p pessimistic because 1 have known scv m y s ro n { cral people who have repoxteJthese a ca. f offenders to the city and absolutely _ rD m was done to resolve the proh- �n nothing �� °'��.^ �S•�• = s Icm. 1 think it's high time that pedest n ° s o a P n ;: O r, o M , ans demanded their basic right to � - ,t walk.We who are pedestrians must o q A T� speak out and let the city know that I £ _ Vl we're here. In short,let's take back m _ a Cr �El. the sidewalks.P. o s 3 io c Richard Farrugg f 0 o on on Chair,The Mayor's y ° v a o �, �)1 Disability Advisory Council City of Ithaca_ k ° ° `D g sg ? To o c O 0-5. w= vNi y. • C ° 3. .= f S ao �. anq•O �3 c �'? _ EJ � Al an'o -9 D •�v_ ?.�', T� t7—O• � a,A � � HfD �w a2 c co o mma pyy n t"D Fmr wn 3 CD t CD rD ro r1 g ao c c s £ 0-0 CD M N G O-Q. O•a0 �: �n 0 C o rrt Oil •v °S CO xc 0cc•y� n �w a m n' o a- ° a s 5 o O C �:n c a o°° ,0 CO , nw S ° a. rc D a• - c f n Q S s ° n. Disability Advisory Council Minutes April 1993 Meeting opened at: 12:05 Attendees: Golder, Farrell, Mohn, Kuhn, Merritt, Farruggio, Pogson, Maxwell. Visitors: Art Stern, Jessica Skinges, Donald Woods, Susan Picerno, and John Ives. 1.) Approval of Minutes: Farrell, 2nd Merritt 2.) City Access Study: Background: The city is be developing a plan to meet the requirements of ADA concerning city programs, facilities andservices. In 1985 the city conducted a survey under section 504 to access the cities programs, facilities and services. In 1992 the city did an updated survey which centered on facilities accessibility. Leslie Chatterton from the city planning department is conducting additional survey work with the DAC's input. The final product of this survey will serve as an open base that will ',e updated as access problems are uncovered. DAC input from the April 1993 meeting: Handicapped Parking (H-Parking) The cement barrier at the Cayuga St. entrance to the Woolworth's parking lot was discussed. This barrier limits access to the two existing H-parking spots located next to the entrance to the lot. It was suggested that extra space be allotted for these two spots and that they be re-painted to provide more room and clearer marking of their existence. The installation of a curb cut by the parking space behind the bus stop, and painting of this space so it is more accessible. Also additional spots, clearly marked were requested near the mental Health clinic. Adding extra spots brought up the question city policy regarding the issuing of H-parking spots on a "needs" basis. Currently the city has no policy regarding this. The number of regular accessible spaces vs. van accessible spaces was also brought up. Parking in the second level of the Green Street garage was also discussed. Since the former Mcurdy's story will not be accessible the existing H-Parking spaces were requested to be moved. It was felt that a general assessment of H-parking places throughout the city needed to be conducted. Lemoyne suggested that the current H-Parking space in front of Morris's be exchanged with the truck loading zone behind it. This would in.prove safety and access. DAC members felt that street crosswalks also needed to be addressed. The time alloted for pedestrians to cross downtown streets was not sufficient. City Hall: Bathroom doors to heavy, open in instead of out. Stall doors open in, instead of out. Doors to Council Chambers are heavy and to narrow. Access to speaking microphones needs to be improved. The city must provide access both architecturally to meetings,and provide communications access for those with visual and hearing impairments. The city will need to advertise, and provide, meeting adaptations (i.e. Braille or taped meeting notes), and accommodations for those who have hearing impairments. (i.e. FM amplification system.) The city will also need to provide accommodations for other disabilities as well. Lemoyne has a copy of the report that she has marked where deficits exist in city programs, facilities and services which she will make available to Leslie. Misc: The hours of operation for the Center Ithaca elevators was also discussed. Members also expressed a desire for more accessible bathrooms in the downtown, (Commons) area. It was also suggested that the existing bathrooms in Center Ithaca have signage to indicate their location. Leslie is currently developing a new survey that will be distributed to department heads. 3.) Treman Park A committee was formed consisting of Lemoyne, Richie, Brenda, and Art Stern. They will draw up a statement regarding the access situation for Treman Park for the May meeting. (See attached resolution). 4.) Snow and Ice Removal: DAC members should continue to report snow and ice problems to the DPW at 272-1718. Written complaints will also be accepted. It was recommended that the phone number to the DPW be added to the snow and ice removal PSA's. Also it was suggested that some recognition be directed to the DPW for their work with the snow and ice removal efforts. 5.) Reporting to Common Council: The DAC will begin giving monthly reports to Common Council. Brenda will give the May report. A DAC member will be chosen at the May meeting to report to Common Council in June. Meeting closed t:25pm CITY OF ITIIACA DISABU-ITY ADVISORY COUNCH, JULY MINUTES Meeting Opened 12:10 In Attendance: Farrel, Golder, Kuhn, Maxwell, Merritt, Stern, Trip Ithaca Festival Access Development of improved access for the Ithaca festival. A comparison of other festivals was discussed. Also contactingthe festival formally. An Stein will write the Ithaca Festival coordinator. The festival people will be invited for the September meeting. DAC members will check the festivals formal access policy and compile their access concerns, these will be discussed with the Festival Ithaca people at the September DAC meeting. New Members Discussion of membership on the DAC is being held over until the August meeting. Update on the Cities ADA transition plan A subcommittee of the DAC. has been helping provide input into the survey which will be used during interviews of City dept. heads by the Planning Office regarding physical access and program access in the city. The surveys will be distributed and interviews will start at the beginning of Auinrst. One more subcommittee meeting will take place on the 20th of July to discuss time final version of the surveys. The whole DAC will be invited to this meeting. This meeting will be for reviewing the portion that will be used to ask the questions of the dept. heads. Project Proposal to improve physical access to Circle GreenwLt y wild flower walk. The existing pathway is bare earth with small stones which make it uneven. The proposal that has been submitted is for a 700 foot stretch of the pathway from the parking area at Giles street south to the point of a lookout where the pathway and the curve of the creek come together. The pro- posal is for a 4" wide path of stabilized earth, the material used would be very small crushed gravel with a 1/3 add mixture of cement. A spur to the east about 50 feet long into the wooded area would also be added. The grant is a 75/25 match, the cost of this project is in the neighborhood of 50 ,200. Some type of notification of the grants acceptance by the state is expected in October. This project has also been added to the list of proposed capitol projects for the city. Brenda will be writing a letter supporting the project in general and as an addition to the capital projects budget. New Business August report to Common Council - LeMoyne Meeting closed 1:30 Disability Advisory Council 04/07/93 Jon Merritt, Art Stern, Brenda Kugn, Jessica Skintges, Richard Faruggio, LeMoyne Farrell, John ives, Sue Pserno, Margert Mohn, Diana Podson Do we need an expert to evaluate facilities Woolworth's parking lot Cayuga Street entrance has a "hump" which hampers wheel chair accessibility Number of spaces by Mental Health facility is ifiadaquate (County) Insufficient pedestrian crossing at Mental Health facility (State? County?) Green Street bus station is inadequately marked. no curbcut from (accessible) parking space to bus station General Need additional reserved accessible spaces Accessible space in front of Morris, is not correctly placed in relation to the curb cut Accessible spaces for McCurdy's should be moved Elevator hours are inadequate in relation to the accessible bathroom under Center Ithaca. Keys for bathroom? Walk signs in general don't provide enough time to cross Doors in first floor bathroom one the wrong way and are heavy Council Chambers Council doors are too heavy Microphones are not accessible Does Lynn Gifford have LeMoyne Farrell' s notes Did Mayor Nichols compile any list of deficiencies after his tour with DAC members? Accessible reserved parking needs to be reevaluated relative to wheel chair access . Desireable to have a rest room at street level in Center Ithaca or somewhere on the Commons. Better signage for the Center Ithaca bathroom Suggested an "FM system, (radio/receiver system) " to amplify meetings meetings City has a number to call for snow removal . (Did we produce a PSA for snow and ice removal) Joan Fisher is' the ADA Coordinator at Cornell PROPOSED MOTION ON TREMAN PARK WHEREAS, the Disability Advisory Council is concerned with handicap access to City Park areas; and `✓F U lie rIC i?Qc 5 fn t P-6-L WHEREAS, t that no major construction is necessary,,to make Treman Marina an accessible park. Now therefore be it RESOLVED that Common Council become aware that sufficient access to the park would occur with a surfaced path wide enough for wheelchair passage with a curb cut from the parking lot and a turn-around space at the end. Disability Advisory Council 04/07/93 Jon Merritt, Art Stern, Brenda Kugn, Jessica Skintges, Richard Faruggio, LeMoyne Farrell, John Ives, Sue Pserno, Margert Mohn, Diana Podson Do we need an expert to evaluate facilities Woolworth's parking lot Cayuga Street entrance has a "hump" which hampers wheel chair accessibility Number of spaces by Mental Health facility is iftadaquate (County) Insufficient pedestrian crossing at Mental Health facility (State? County?) Green Street bus station is inadequately marked. no curbcut from (accessible) parking space to bus station General Need additional reserved accessible spaces Accessible space in front of Morris, is not correctly placed in relation to the curb cut Accessible spaces for McCurdy's should be moved Elevator hours are inadequate in relation to the accessible bathroom under Center Ithaca. Keys for bathroom? Walk signs in general don't provide enough time to cross Doors in first floor bathroom one the wrong way and are heavy Council Chambers Council doors are too heavy Microphones are not accessible Does Lynn Gifford have LeMoyne Farrell's notes Did Mayor Nichols compile any list of deficiencies after his tour with DAC members? Accessible reserved parking needs to be reevaluated relative to wheel chair access. Desireable to have a rest room at street level in Center Ithaca or somewhere on the Commons. Better signage for the Center Ithaca bathroom Suggested an "FM system, (radio/receiver system) ° to amplify meetings meetings City has a number to call for snow removal. (Did we produce a PSA for snow and ice removal) Joan Fisher is the ADA Coordinator at Cornell DAC Route 96 Input May 5, 1993 Members of the City's Disability Advisory Council have reviewed the draft of the Comments and Recommendations Regarding the Design of Route 96 Improvements. The points concerning handicap accessibility are sound and we appreciate your recognition of their importance. We cannot, however, comment on the plans specifically as there's limited information. We view accommodation for people with disabilities as essential due to this projects main arteries separating residential areas from shopping and recreational zones. Adequate provision for access must be made. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the proposed measures for handicapped accessibility requested from the DoT and will offer further comment at that time. Minutes for the Meeting of The Disability Advisory Council Wednesday, October b, 1993 Attending: Farruggio, Farrell , Maxwell , Mohn, Skingges , Stern Ithaca Festival Members moved that Rob Gearhart (w) 274-3245 be sent our Minutes regularly, so that we are not just calling him in a crises and so that he knows of our ongoing concerns about accessibility. Art will send a letter. -,of appreciation and concern about the Festival lack of on-going policy on accessibility and express the DAC and Arts ' s personal interest in these issues. ADA Update on City Interviews Jessica read a letter from Jon Merritt expressing past pleasure in working on DAC as he moves into a new position at the Western NY Independence Center in Buffalo, NY 14201-40. Jessica reported that 2 interviews have taken place so far. . Responses to the self-evaluation surveys have been good and have shown the need for a policy about communications, ie, about the TDD' s, posters indicating Handicapped access, and general public information about accessible equipment. Jessica will be taking these suggestions to the Human Services Committee meeting on Oct . 19. A meeting may occur to go over the policy perhaps on the 14th. Le Moyne will call Diana Pogson to check with her. A back-up plan may be sent on this Friday for cirnebt. Rich, Jessica, Di , and Le Moyne volunteered to meet Thursday noon, if one is arranged. Jessica' s City Planning group will meet on Nov 9 with the Mayor_ of Dryden about the County needs in relation to compliance with ADa Policy and about the trainers , ADA coordinatiors, and other interested parties . Rich reminded Jessica that she needs to be sworn in at the City Clerk' s desk. Membership Le Moyne will call Holly Hollingsworth and give him membership applications for potential volunteers for the DAc from among the Viet Nam Veterans group. She will call City Hall to discover pro- cess of dropping no-shows from the DAC. Peg Mohn mentioned Frances Eastman as a person who might be interested. She will also call the VFW in Dryden (844-9900) to ask for new members . Jon Ives will be solicited for his membership, given his contributions as a barrier.- (10/6/93 DAC Minutes cont 'd) free consultant. Richard Maxwell said that he will have difficulty attending meetings because of moving his offices . and having scheduling problems. Asked that we consider A 1Perline who is a City resident . Le Moyne will write a letter to the Ithaca Journal soliciting members and to the Ithaca Times . Jessica suggested that Access Alternatives at Cornell may have someone but all interested members of this group are graduating but one. Le Moyne mentioned that Cornell Moot Court appr.ears inaccessible although the Courtroom itself has ramps for easy access , but has 8 high, steep steps at its entry way. No signs occurred at the entrance to the building that elevators exist in the new annex. Those should be posted at the entrance to the Law School. Discussion about Cornell ' s accessibility went on to mention the need for notices or entiertainment programs in Braille, which is easy to pporduce on an IBM program. Now CU calls FLIC to print material on a marine that costs from $3-5,000 and at connects to an IBM com- puter. Art suggested that this is the sort of equipment that alumni may be able to give, but that demand for this equipment has to be shown. Ann McCann is on leave now, but the Development Office would be worth talking with. Jessica mentioned the possibility of setting up a meeting of Access Alternatives with the DAC at Day Hall. Access Alternatives is still focusing on its mission statement. New Business Le Moyne read a letter from the City Engineer, Bill Gray, about the correct timing of the traffic light and the "walk" signal. Le Moyne had left a note with the department ' s secretary, stating that the flickering "Don't Walk" occurred within a count of three at the crosswalk at Woolworth' s and Cayuga Street . At the traffic light at Buffalo and Tioga, the count is 30 and is adequate time for an ambulatory perosn to cross . Mr. Gray focused on the "confusion" of pedestrians about the blinking and said nothing about the timing, although he enclosed a copy of the law. Discussion ensued. Peg Mohn was asked to be a fellow experimenter in timing various lights in town so that Le Moyne and she could present evidence of inability to cross on a white crossing light, the improper hurrying that the blinking warning inspires that could lead to missteips and accident, and the contrast in the timing of other lights at other intersections. We want to know who is responsible for timing the lights . Richard Far.ruggio asked that a copy of Jon' s resignation be sent to the Mayor' s office saying Jon has resigned. The restaurant in Collegetown has a hazard of mismatched cOncrete slabs at its terrace entryway that are barriers to wheelchairs and pedestrian entry. Meeting adjourned at 1: 32. Respectfully, �µ T .. Movne Farrel 1�� ,1