HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2009_07_17
Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
July 17, 2009
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on
Friday, July 17, 2009 in the Brookings City Hall with the following members present: Nancy
Hartenhoff-Crooks, Kurt Cogswell, Dave Bertelson, Alan Davis, Dave Miller, Lonnie Bayer, Jessie
Kuechenmeister, Jeff Vostad, and Dona Kornbaum. Absent: Kim Wells and Kathy Heylens.
Chair Dave Miller called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting of the committee
was scheduled for August 21, 2009. Agenda additions: Matt Simet regarding the Governor’s
Awards, Mayoral Proclamation, new Committee brochure, formation of a website
subcommittee, Arts Festival accessibility, Letter of invite to the Brookings School District, update
on Post Office Access Board complaint, and ADA Conference Call. The June minutes were
approved.
New Business
• New Member. Thornes announced the appointment of Kathy Heylens to the Committee.
Heylens is the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance / Senior Woman Administrator at
SDSU. She was appointed by the City Council on July 14th, but was out of town for this
meeting.
• Governor’s Awards. Matt Simet, member of the local NDEAM (National Disability
Employment Awareness Month) group asked for clarification on this year’s Governors
Awards process regarding updating the nomination form/categories, collection, voting and
recognition. Thornes will contact Shelly Pfaff, SD Coalition of Citizens who have Disabilities,
to inquire about anticipated changes to this year’s nomination form. It was clarified that
there is no “voting.” All nominations received by the Committee are forwarded to Pierre
for consideration. Recognition of nominees will occur at the October 27th City Council
meeting with a presentation of proclamations. Thornes will develop a flowchart outlining
all the steps involved in the Awards. All nominations will be forwarded to the Committee.
Anyone or any organization can make a nomination via use of the “short form.” The Voc
Rehab and other disability related organizational staff will assist in the writing of the
proclamations and the “long” form that is submitted to the State.
• Mayoral Proclamation. The Committee asked that Mayor Reed declare July 26th as
Americans with Disabilities Act Day in Brookings.
• New committee brochure. The brochure regarding the Committee’s purpose was recently
updated and distributed for Committee review. It was done by City Clerk’s staff in-house, so
changes can be made at any time.
• Website Subcommittee. The City Clerk’s Office is working on a new city of Brookings
website to be unveiled next year. Thornes requested members of the Committee to serve
on a website subcommittee that would provide new content for the Committee’s pages and
also provide guidance on website accessibility. Cogswell and Davis volunteered.
• Brookings Summer Arts Festival. Thornes asked if anyone has heard or knew of any
accessibility concerns raised about this year’s arts festival. They had not, but noticed the
accessible parking area was full. Thornes will contact Melissa Schulte, the new Festival
President, to inquire about the possibility of additional accessible parking adjacent to the
park and the addition of van accessible spaces so there are designed access aisles for people
to drop their ramps & wheelchairs.
• ADA Conference Call. Thornes will not be able to participate in this month’s conference
call. Hartenhoff-Crooks volunteered to participate in the call and to provide a report on
symposium.
• Letter of invite to School District. Thornes was contacted by Steve Bayer, Chair of the
Brookings Human Rights Committee and newly elected School Board Member, to suggest
the Committee offer to provide an accessibility review of the Brookings High School
expansion project and newly completed Camelot School. The Committee agreed and
directed Miller to send a letter of invitation to the Brookings School Superintendent.
Updates & Reports:
• Post Office Access Board Complaint. Thornes called and left a message with Peg
Blechman at the United States Access Board regarding the status of the complaint but has
not received a return call.
• Emergency response subcommittee formed? Thornes was uncertain if a new committee
was formed for this project.
• ABLE Award selection and presentation. The Brookings Wesleyan Church was selected to
receive this year’s award. The plaque/clock is done. Jessie Kuechenmeister will present
the award on behalf of the Committee at the July 28th City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m.
She asked that presentation details be provided prior to the event. Other members were
encouraged to attend to provide support.
• Accessible Parking Concerns – 165 Airport Avenue. Bayer met with one of the owners of
the property regarding the need for designated accessible parking. Bayer also suggested
concern about accessible parking at the Brookings Clinic.
• Durable Medical Equipment Drive Update (SD Cares). Thornes reported that the Habitat
Store had several items to donate. Mayor Tim Reed volunteered to cut a public service
announcement. Miller presented information regarding the project at the July 14th
televised City Council meeting. The Brookings Hospital has not responded to requests for
equipment donation. Thornes offered to contacted the Hospital Board President, noting
that all city departments including the hospital are in the process of the surplus sale.
Kendall’s was another equipment source mentioned. Bayer offered to contact a Kendall’s
representative. Miller expressed concern about the SD Cares organization and how
equipment distribution would be handled. He contacted Social Services and they are very
receptive and have a warehouse. In 2007, the Easter Seals organization distributed the
equipment and it was noted that they have an insurance policy that would provide any legal
liability for equipment malfunction.
• Accessible Parking Brochure Publicity. Pursuant to inquiries made by Miller, a funding
request for the full printing amount of $1248.50 was submitted to DBTAC for consideration.
Brochure are now also located in the Engineering Department and to be distributed with
commercial and business building permits. Thornes spoke with the Mayor about
promoting the new brochure at a future Council meeting. The Committee agreed to
move forward with a direct mailing to area businesses, architects, engineers, contractors,
sign companies and other identified parties. Kuechenmeister will work on a cover letter.
Thornes will inquire with Chamber about a mailing list.
• City Funding Request for 2010 Fiscal Year. Thornes reported that greater detail regarding
programming statistics was provided to the City Manager. Funding requests won’t be
finalized until October 1st, but Thornes doesn’t anticipate any problems.
• Special Needs Subcommittee on the Pandemic Preparedness Group (Wells & Bayer).
Bayer reported that the group has not met yet.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report.
SDSU Wellness Center . To date, the City has not released the funding allocation and is waiting
for compliance report on accessibility issues identified in the March ADA Report.
Chamber building review. Thornes noted that she has never reviewed the Chamber’s new
location and because they receive a substantial amount in city subsidies, they are required to
be accessible. She will schedule a review sometime this year.
Hospital Expansion plan review. Thornes noted that back in June she was contacted by an
architect working on the Hospital Expansion project inquiring about the City’s ADA review
process and desired plan formats. However, no further contact was received. She
expressed concern in that the plans are to build this fall. Thornes will contact Keith Corbett,
Hospital Board President, to request architect contact information. She noted that she will
be attending a joint City Council/Hospital Board meeting on July 23rd and may have an
opportunity to speak with the architect.
Downtown Streetscape. Thornes asked that the original review team involved in this project
do a status check of the project (Jessie, Dave, Nancy, Kurt, Lonnie).
USDA Rural Development. Thornes was contacted by a representative of this organization
to provide accessibility plans for the Brookings Habitat for Humanity programs. However,
they wanted a free accessibility plan rather than a project review. Thornes referred them to
consultants that provide this service for a fee.
National ADA Coordinators Association. Thornes is considering joining the NADACA and
attending one of their conferences.
Design Inquiry. Thornes was contacted by Les Rowland, local architect, with accessible
shower design questions related to a SDSU dormitory remodel. She contacted DBTAC for
additional information. His proposed design did not comply with accessibility standards.
DBTAC staff provided other design solutions.
Calendar
July 18-21 Durable Medical Equipment Drive
July 21st Transportation Board @ 2:00 p.m.
July 21st ADA Update – audio conference
July 22nd ADA Leadership Network Conference Call @ 2:00 p.m.
July 28th Presentation of ABLE Awards
Oct 13-15 Fall Conference
Meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes, Brookings City Clerk