HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2015-10-07Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
October 7, 2015
Present:
DAC Chair Roberts
DAC Members:
Heath
McElrath
Scriber
Rappaport
Common Council Liaison Brock
Information Management Specialist – Myers
Sr. Planner – Kuszir
Sidewalk Program Manager - Kusznir
Excused:
DAC Members:
Anderson
Sember-Chase
Updates:
Sr. Planner Kusznir updated DAC members on the status of possible changes to the Commons Playground in
making it completely accessible for all children. City staff met with Lee Archin, owner of “Play by Design” the
designer of the playground after the last DAC meeting to discuss concerns that had been raised by the public
about the lack of accessible features. Staff requested that he take another look at the design of the playground,
and provide a list of the accessible elements, and an explanation as to why those elements were chosen, and
how they work. For example, “why was the slide designed with metal?” Staff requested that he provide some
possible options for signage on the play elements to explain how they can be used, and to take a look at the
structure in the limited space it has on the Commons to see what elements could be added in the confined
space to create more areas of interest to children who remain in their wheelchairs or can only access the
playground on the ground. What elements could be changed out for accessible elements? What elements
could be added and/or changed out and the costs. Mr. Archin indicated that it may take a couple of months for
that information to be provided because they are extremely busy right now. Once staff receives the proposed
list of possible solutions/ideas, they will be sure to share it with the members of the DAC for their review and
input, as well as the volunteer stakeholders. The designer hopes to be able to provide preliminary information
for the City by the end of October.
Chair Roberts requested that Ms. Kusznir communicate this same information to the people who volunteered
to be on sub-committee which would review the possible redesign of the playground – including therapists from
the Racker Center and to DAC Member Rappaport. He stated in an e-mail that he sent to Director of Planning,
Building, Zoning and Economic Development Director Cornish that one of the major concerns he heard from
people about the playground was that there wasn’t input from stakeholders about what the playground could
look like. He thinks it would be important to share those ideas with them so they can provide input and support
as the process moves forward. He reiterated that was one of the major complaints that the DAC heard loud
and clear from the public about the playground. It is very important to get this input from those stakeholders.
The stakeholders really want to be involved and have input into any decisions that are made.
Ms. Kusznir explained that one of the first things that City staff wanted do was to explain to the public what is
already there and how to use each element of the playground; they feel this is important.
DAC Member Rappaport responded that there really isn’t a need to explain to parents how to use the various
elements of the playground. If kids are given something, and they find it appealing, they will use it as they are
able to developmentally. The signage is not as helpful as making the various elements appealing; kids will find
a way to use the elements then.
Ms. Kusznir stated that staff thought it would be good to know, from designer, what their intention was in
choosing and constructing the design and various elements of the playground. The designer will not be back
in town until the end of October, so as soon as staff get the update from them they will send an e-mail with the
information to the noted stakeholders for their information, review and input going forward.
DAC Member Heath questioned whether the City would be able to incorporate, change, add or redesign any of
the playground if there was support from the public and various stakeholders for them. He stated that the way
he had understood previous conversations was that there is a limited amount of space on the Commons as
well as a limited amount of money. Is the City going to be willing to pay more for any proposed changes?
Ms. Kusznir responded that was true and a decision would need to be made by Common Council in the future
as to what money might be available for the project. She stated that Mayor Myrick is interested in what the
costs would be to make any changes to the playground. She also noted that the playground actually almost
didn't get built because the City did not have the funds, so part of the cost was paid for by various community
sponsors.
Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes October 7, 2015
2
Chair Roberts and the members of the DAC thanked Ms. Kusznir for taking the time to come to the
meeting and for the update on the playground that she was able to provide to them.
Alderperson Brock and DAC Member Scriber arrived at the meeting 12:36 p.m.
Chair Roberts and DAC Member Rappaport provided a brief update on the discussion they missed regarding
the Commons Playground.
DAC Member Scriber reported that she would be at another meeting next week where the same designer
would be at to discuss the playground at Stewart Park. She will share concerns raised at today’s DAC meeting
that the noted volunteers to serve on the sub-committee for the possible re-design of the Commons
Playground be included in any future meetings with staff and designers for the Commons Playground.
Chair Roberts confirmed that Common Council members understand that something needs to be done to
change the Commons Playground, and so will mostly likely find a way to provide the funds to do so. He stated
that Alderperson McGonigal stated publicly that Common Council would fix the Commons Playground so that
all children can completely access it and play on it.
Goals/Objectives:
Chair Roberts stated that he felt that part of the problem with the accessible parking and Commons Playground
might be partly because the DAC was not meeting regularly during the early part of 2015. The DAC does need
a Vice-Chair as former Vice-Chair Gizewski is no longer able to serve on the DAC. Chair Roberts further noted
that he is pretty confident that he will be able to be at future DAC meetings consistently. A Vice-Chair
basically, has the responsibility to chair the DAC meeting when the DAC Chair can't be at the meeting.
DAC Member McElrath suggested a “rotating” chair, a role that could be shared by the various
members of the DAC on an “as needed” basis. DAC Member Rappaport responded that the problem
with a rotating chair is that the Chair/Vice-Chair needs to work between the regular DAC meetings to keep
track of items, set up the agenda, etc., they need the ability to facilitate between the DAC and staff in between
meetings on topics of interest, concern to the DAC.
DAC Member Scriber stated that she would be retiring from the Franciska Racker Center as of January 28,
2016. She would be interested in volunteering to serve as the Vice-Chair after that; however, she has a
concern that since she has no specific disability, nor would be working at the Racker Center whether it would
affect her ability to continue to serve on the DAC. She would definitely be interested after her retirement in
January.
Chair Roberts stated that what he would like to happen would be that at next month’s DAC meeting someone
would make a motion to nominate another DAC member to be Vice Chair; and then have a vote by the DAC on
the nomination. He will e-mail to DAC members, prior to the next DAC meeting, the proper process for voting
on a Vice-Chair so that everyone can be prepared to do that at the November 4, 2015 DAC meeting.
Chair Roberts then described how the DAC “Goals and Objectives” had been determined in 2012. He feels
that of those goals two of them need to happen on a regular basis; they are having the members of the DAC
constantly learning about how the City of Ithaca operates in order to be more effective and to make sure the
public knows about the DAC and how to participate and provide input in their meetings. He then read the
following suggestions that DAC Member Sember-Chase e-mailed prior to the meeting:
1. Increased input from community members beyond the disabled community.
2. Need to “market” or develop a process for community input to the DAC, and in an effort to
increase membership of DAC; advertise more for membership to DAC.
3. Develop/increase membership of DAC with a broader representation of the many types of
disabilities – i.e. mental, developmental, and physical.
4. Update DAC agenda template that is distributed to the public that provides information about
what the DAC is, how to provide input or to participate in meetings, so the public has a quick
reference as to what the DAC does.
The following is a goal we had listed but I really think it’s more of a motto we should live by:
“Be realistic in setting achievable goals – better to have smaller number of goals and complete them
well then take on too many goals and not be able to complete them or to complete them poorly.”
Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes October 7, 2015
3
DAC Member Scriber stated that she thinks it is important to add to the “Goals and Objectives” the need to
work on obtaining more DAC members, especially members that are residents of the City of Ithaca.
Approval of the September 2, 2015 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes - Resolution
By DAC Member Rappapport: Seconded by DAC Member Scriber
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the September 2, 2015 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved as
published.
Carried Unanimously
DAC Member Rappaport voiced support for tabling the discussion of the “Goals/Objectives” of the DAC until
the November 4, 2015 DAC Meeting.
No Council Member objected.
Chair Roberts noted that it would be useful to think about the kinds of things that the DAC wants to make sure
they are hearing about, as well as reiterating to city staff as well as city boards/committees that the DAC has
been here for more than 20 years, and that it is easy to reach out to them for input on any topic. For example,
the city’s new pay stations and accessible parking.
Chair Roberts expressed his thanks to everyone for coming to the meeting and for the great discussion.
Adjournment:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.
___________________________________________ _______________________________________
Sarah L. Myers, Information Mgt. Spec. Larry Roberts, Chair