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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2004-09-01 City of Ithaca Disability Advisory Council MEETING NOTES 9/1/04 The meeting convened at 12:05 p.m. Attending were George Eberhardt, David McElrath, John Ortiz, Larry Roberts, Wendy Skinner. Joanie Groome arrived at 1 :35 p.m. MEMBERSHIP: Larry reported that 4 or 5 people have officially applied for DAC membership; he expects the Mayor will make appointments by October. MEETING TIME: To accommodate Joanie's schedule, the group agreed to move the meeting time to 12:15 — 1:30. DISCUSSION: David asked about having speed limit signs posted near the entrance to Titus Towers; he suggested that having a copy of the vehicle and traffic law would be useful. Larry commented that the handicapped parking rules are included in that law. David mentioned that the DAC needs a liaison to the IPD, assuming Chief Signer will be too busy to fulfill that role. Larry will ask her about it. Larry said that an IPD liaison could help with issues about dogs on The Commons and bicycle riders on the sidewalks, two items that came up later in the meeting. A question was also raised about whether and IPD liaison could help with the snow removal problem. John commented that three handicapped parking spaces have been added near the Mental Health building. CITY CHARTER AND CODE: Larry reported that, since revision of the City Charter and Code is ongoing, he has e-mailed the Mayor and City Attorney that this may be a good opportunity to update the disability language. Perhaps an intern could be assigned to review all City laws for outdated and meaningless language relating to disability. The concern is that wrong or vague language could render intended protections unenforceable. Larry added that the temporary events measures could also be introduced. He will follow up. ACCESSIBILITY MAP: The group agreed that the project needs attention. Larry reported that the Mayor said she would talk with Ruth Aslanis in the Planning Department to see what is needed to complete the project. SNOW & ICE REMOVAL: The group agreed that this should be a high priority topic again. A question was raised as to whether Community Police Officers could monitor chronic problem areas. Larry mentioned that Rick Farrel, of Streets and Facilities, told him that there were no complaints last year — but that this is not an accurate indicator because the complaint process is complicated and not well known, or people have given up. NEW CROSSWALKS AND SIGNALS: Larry commented that activating switches are hard to reach and that there are no audible signals at the new intersections. It is not necessary to have the recorded voice but tones can be used and can be on a separate button to be activated by only those who need them. The group agreed to invite City Traffic Engineer Dan Cole to a future DAC meeting [Cole agreed to come to the November 3 meeting]. Other topics to be discussed with Cole are sidewalk, curbcuts, and crosswalk repair. The meeting was adjourned at 1 : 20 p.m.