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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2016-08-031 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2016 Present: Chair Roberts Vice Chair Scriber DAC Members: David McElrath Andrew Rappaport Lisa Monroe CC Liaison Brock Others Present: Information Management Specialist – Day Transportation Engineer – Lacitra Chief of Staff – Cogan Cass Park Recreation Director – D’Alterio GIAC Supervisor – Thomas Excused: DAC Members: Anderson, Sember-Chase Approval of Minutes: Approval of the July 6, 2016 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes - Resolution By DAC Member Rappaport: Seconded by Vice Chair Scriber RESOLVED, That the minutes of the July 6, 2016 Disability Advisory Council meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. Discussion Items: A. Conversation with City of Ithaca Chief of Staff, Dan Cogan: Chief of Staff, Dan Cogan spoke to the board regarding his position with the City along with his experience that he brings to the position. The Chief of staff position was created and filled about two years ago. Dan Cogan recently filled the open position bringing with him his 10 years of experience being on Common Council. This position provides coordination and communication with Department Heads, along with performance reviews and to help run City Hall. He is the interface with the public / point of contact on issues that come up such as recently that of the water system, drought, and color of water. He can be a resource to the DAC in communication with other boards, council or staff for issues of concern. Larry Roberts reported that in the early 1990’s the City of Ithaca conducted a self-assessment review of facilities to see if they were in compliance with the ADA regulations. Chief Staff Cogan stated that he would investigate what it would take for the City of Ithaca to conduct another ADA self-assessment of its facilities. B. “Pop-Up Park” on College Avenue Accessibility Discussion: Common Council Liaison Brock reported out that the “pop up park” in Collegetown lacked proper ADA accommodations. The pop up park went up too fast and if another one is allowed to go up there should be more communication with the department that allowed it in order to pay attention to accessibility regulations. All construction is to have a clear passage of travel and should be maintained and enforced. If a restaurant’s outdoor dining does not have space right next door to the building then no alcohol should be served. Larry Roberts reported that an ADA self-assessment was done by the City in the early 1990’s. It has been discussed that it might be good for the City to conduct another self-assessment. C. Conversation with Jim D’Alterio, Cass Park Recreation Director, and Michael Thomas, GIAC Supervisor, regarding pool access at Cass Park and GIAC. Michael Thomas – GIAC Supervisor reported that the pool was built in 1993 and did have a hand crank chair lift to enter and exit the pool. It was inspected last year and is no longer operable. They put in a capital project request for new chair lift for 2017. Alex Haley Pool has over 10,600 swimmers for this season. 2 3 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2016 Jim D’Alterio – Cass Park Recreation Director reported that the pool at Cass Park has a lift and a stair way. Due to its size, the pool is required to ways to get in and out of it. Cass Park Pool has 300 plus a day swimmers and over 20,000 visits this season. The City of Ithaca season pass can be used at both pools, which are open, dependent upon the weather. The DAC felt that there was a need for more advertisement that the pools are accessible. They suggested that information could be posted on the City’s face book page and its web site. The DAC also will write a letter in support of the capital project request for the Alex Haley Pools chair lift. 4. Updates: Issues that the DAC would like to keep informed on: Compliance with ADA requirements with the new hockey rink when completed. Compliance with ADA requirements in city buildings. Take pictures of areas that may have obstacles in the public right-of-way and post them on the City’s website. Invite Director of Engineering Tim Logue and Transportation Engineer Eric Hathaway to a DAC meeting to talk about parking spaces, sidewalk closures, and how the public is being made aware of detours in place. Review permit applications ex: Special events, side walk permits, outdoor dining, sale signs, items that may be hanging in the way that someone who is visually impaired could walk into in order to make sure that applications include ADA requirements. 4. Adjournment: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. _________________________________ _______________________________ Cindie L. Day, Larry Roberts, Information Management Specialist Chair