HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2010_12_03Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
December 3, 2010
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on
Friday, December 3, 2010 in the Brookings City Hall with the following members present: K athy
Heylens, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Dave Miller, Kim Lindell, Jeff Vostad, Lonnie Bayer, Jessie
Kuechenmeister, Alan Davis and Dave Bertelson. Absent: Kurt Cogswell and Dona Kornbaum.
Shari Thornes was also present
Miller called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The agenda was approved as printed. Next
meeting – January 14th @ 2:00 p.m.
New Business:
Annual Report. Kuechenmeister volunteered to work on the 2010 annual report which is due
February 15th.
Snow Removal Reminder. Vostad volunteered to work on Committee’s annual Letter to the
Editor urging citizens keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Staff will modify the letter for
a direct mailing to downtown businesses.
Project & Issue Updates:
City City/County Administrative Building. No plan revisions were available for review.
McCrory Gardens Visitor Center. Pursuant to the Committee’s direction, the list of concerns
regarding the proposed design was given to the project donor. To date, the University has not
made any design changes in response to the Committee’s concerns.
Downtown Parking Request. Thornes reported the request for an accessible parking space in
front of Tom Anderson’s business at 316 Fifth Street was determined as technically infeasible.
Thornes, Miller, Bayer and the city engineer reviewed a number of options and determined the
best alternative was to install an additional compliant accessible parking space at the southwest
corner of 5th Street and Main Avenue (in front of Nick’s). The new space will be less than half a
block of distance from the applicant’s business and on the same side of the street. It was noted
that this location was identified in the original “Brookings Downtown Streetscape Project – ADA
Compliance Report.” Mr. Anderson has since requested a short-term 20-30 minute sign for
the space.
University Mall Parking Plan. Miller and Thornes met with mall owner Craig Kreyger on
November 22nd to discuss concerns about accessible parking and make change
recommendations. Both felt the new plan was acceptable. Kreyger was asked to submit the
new plan in writing to the Committee for formal recommendation; however, nothing had been
received to date.
A deeper concern that has come from this issue is that there appears to be a gap in the process.
No one in the city offices is responsible to advise a developer about accessible parking
requirements. Additional research is needed to determine who is responsible.
Vostad asked if costs could be built into all building permits to require all permit plans be sent
to DBTAC for ADA plan review.
Wellness Center position statement. A Committee agreed the following position statement
regarding the SDSU Wellness Center be provided to the Mayor as soon as possible.
Dear Mr. Mayor:
This letter is in response to your request that the Committee identify access priorities for the
Wellness Center. The 22 page Wellness Center report, dated 10-26-10 outlines a number of
noncompliance issues. Both the DBTAC Access consultant and the Department of Justice
ADA Information Line have indicated that with new construction there is no prioritization
regarding accessibility. Every time there is new construction, everything needs to be
accessible. The Department of Justice ADA Information Line is available as a resource for
questions--800-514-0301.
If the Wellness Center project was a remodel and a Title III entity, then compliance priorities
would be the following: getting through the door (including parking and approach to the
building), getting access to the goods and services provided in the facility, getting access to
the restrooms, and addressing other barriers such as water fountains, pay phones, and
alarms.
In the case of the Wellness Center, it is a Title II entity and a new construction project.
Therefore, the
Committee wants to go on record, stating that the above guidelines regarding priorities are
not applicable for the Wellness Center project.
If for whatever reason, determination is made that the University will not be required to make
all features compliant, the Committee suggests referencing Title III existing facilities
priorities.
Furthermore, the committee agreed a meeting with you is important to discuss this project. A
subcommittee is available to meet at your convenience.
Respectfully,
Dave Miller, Chair
Brookings Committee for People Who Have Disabilities
Frost Arena. Bayer reported the family restrooms have been completed. Handrails and
improved sightlines are in process.
Training . The ADA Center invited Thornes and two committee representatives to participate
in a Train the Trainer session on all aspects of the ADA, in cooperation with two sister DBTACs,
with Cornell University staff providing the training. The training will be in Albuquerque, NM,
with full day sessions on Dec. 14th and 15th. DBTAC is covering the costs of travel, lodging and
meals. The response time to commit was extremely short. Miller and Hartenhoff-Crooks were
also approved to attend.
Additional Reports:
Transportation Board Report. Hartenhoff-Crooks said there are concerns with the private cab
provider due to irregular hours and no accessible vehicles. BATA is under Federal “no compete”
requirements. People with disabilities are negatively impacted by this issue.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report
Streetscape Improvements (Bus Shelters, Tables). Thornes recently learned that the City was
purchasing tables to be installed downtown, but didn’t include any accessible tables. The bus
shelter is also being installed downtown, but the bench didn’t comply with standards.
Community Cultural Center – Plans are on hold until spring.
6th Street Widening Project – SD Dept of Transportation – Thornes attended a SDDOT briefing on
the upcoming 6th Street widening project, which involves Sixth Street from Western Avenue to
Main Avenue. The only accessibility concerns involved the proposed curb ramp style. Thornes
recommended a parallel rather than angled style.
Election of Officers. A motion was made by Vostad, seconded by Heylens, to approve by
unanimous consent the election of Miller as Chair and Kuechenmeister as Vice Chair. All present
voted yes; motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes