HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2011_06_24Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
June 24, 2011
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday,
June 24, 2011 in the Brookings City Hall with the following members present: Dave Miller, Kathy
Heylens, Lonnie Bayer, Jessie Kuechenmeister, Jeff Vostad, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks and Matt Simet.
Absent: Dona Kornbaum, Alan Davis and Sylvia Lozada. Shari Thornes was also present.
Miller called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. The May minutes were approved with a correction
regarding attendance (Heylens was absent).
Schedule future meetings: - July 22nd @ 2:00 p.m.
New Business:
ABLE Awards. The Committee unanimously approved two ABLE awards: 1) Children’s Museum of
South Dakota for overall accessibility, and 2) HyVee for their new call-button gas pump service.
The Museum is also receiving a Mayor’s Award for Historic Preservation. The Brookings Historic
Preservation Commission wants to partner with the Committee on a shared award reception event at
the museum. The Committee agreed to pursue a combined event. Staff will coordinate with the
Museum, Larson family, other award winners , the Mayor and both groups. This is an opportunity to
merge the Mayor’s Awards for Historic Preservation and the ABLE Awards for Accessibility, showcasing
several wonderful projects including the successful blend of historic and accessible design.
City Sidewalk Policy. A number of properties in Brookings never installed sidewalks. The Brookings
City Council held a hearing on May 24th regarding a proposed project to require owners install sidewalks.
A number of individuals objected and the City Council voted down the proposal and asked city staff to
review the project again.
The Committee has been asked to provide input on the city’s sidewalk policies and the specific areas
without sidewalks. Thornes advised the Committee focus on a general policy position on the issue and
not comment on specific residential and commercial properties and areas. The Committee reviewed
the City Engineer’s background memo, previous position statement on sidewalks in new development
areas, and the current city ordinance which requires sidewalks. Kuechenmeister will draft a formal
response for committee review and editing.
Project & Issue Updates:
Downtown Streetscape Parking Recommendations. The Committee reviewed remaining accessible
parking space modifications still pending. All three “mid-block” accessible parking spaces are non-
compliant. The streetscape subcommittee and ADA Coordinator identified three possible relocation
solutions for consideration. The City Engineer’s Office evaluated each space and provided the enclosed
drawings depicting slopes. (Note: See May 21, 2011 summary report of recommendations on other parking
accessibility corrections and improvements).
Main Avenue (400 midblock, West Side)
Location - Midblock Crosswalk– Front Rude’s (Driver’s Access)
NON-Compliant: Aisle not wide/long enough. No curb ramp,
requires entering traffic to access midblock crosswalk, no
truncated dome.
Recommendations: Relocate space across street to north side of
cross walk. May require cutting back planting area to install
curb ramp. New location would be passenger side access aisle.
Also recommended location in effort to maintain one midblock
space per block. NOTE – can’t locate on other side of current
location due to drain outlet. Relocate space on other side of
crosswalk; install compliant curb ramp; stripe access aisle;
install access aisle sign on existing streetpost; provide accessible
parking sign in front of space by installing appropriate signage;
relocate bike rack; remove old space, repaint, remove signage.
Committee and ADA Coordinator agreed this was a good
solution.
Main Avenue (300 midblock–East Side)
Location: Midblock – right side, front Trendz (Driver’s Access)
NON-Compliant: Aisle not wide/long enough. No curb ramp,
requires entering traffic to access midblock crosswalk, no
truncated dome.
Recommendations: Relocate space on other side of crosswalk;
install compliant curb ramp; stripe access aisle; install access
aisle sign on existing streetpost; install accessible parking sign in
front of space by installing appropriate signage; relocate bike
rack; remove old space, repaint, remove signage
Committee and ADA Coordinator agreed this was a good
solution.
Main Avenue (500 Midblock – West Side)
Location - Midblock Crosswalk– Flowers on Main (Driver’s
Access)
NON-Compliant: Aisle not wide/long enough. No curb ramp,
requires entering traffic to access midblock crosswalk. No
truncated dome.
Recommendations: Relocate space across street in front of VFW.
No safe location found in immediate proximity to current space
due to driveways and traffic. New location would require use of
2 existing spaces. Requested Engineer evaluate feasibility of
installing ramp in new location.
The Committee and ADA Coordinator recognize this design does
fully not meet current guidelines; however, this option provides
an accessible parking space to the maximum extent feasible
given the sidewalk width and other obstacles. Everyone felt it
was better to offer a less than perfect solution than totally
removing a space on that end of the street.
Durable Medical Equipment Drive. Miller and Vostad collected over 40 items including walkers,
wheelchairs and two motorized chairs. The Committee will promote local placement first before
extending to other communities. A possible pilot program with Achieve was suggested. The MDA
Closet is not currently accepting donations. Simet suggested partnering with Sioux Falls for future
events. A follow-up interview on event’s success was suggested.
Committee Vacancy. No applications received. Thornes will re-advertise.
Additional Reports:
Transportation Board Report. Hartenhoff-Crooks reported that the Board met earlier that week. Much of
the agenda involved campus transportation plans. The group is not meeting in July and August.
Special Needs Population Report. Kuechenmeister reported the group met but is slow moving.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report:
SDSU Wellness Center –University representatives met with Jeff Weldon and Thornes to update on
accessibility changes underway at the Center. Plans are to be completed by June 30th. Thornes will
conduct a compliance review upon project completion.
Website – The city’s new website will have the ability to report concerns including accessibility problems
due to snow and ice.
New Department of Justice 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design “4-Pack” – DBTAC provided two
complimentary sets to the City and University.
Front Street – A minor change was noted regarding the accessible parking space in the new parking lot.
Community Cultural Center Review – A final compliance review will be needed as soon as the project is
completed.
Calendar
June 19-25 Durable Medical Equipment Drive
July 26th City Council Meeting, 6 pm - ABLE Award Presentations
October 5th NDEAM Events & Luncheon (National Employment Awareness Month) – Staff will check
Mayor’s calendar to confirm availability
Tentative July Agenda Items: Governor’s Award Nominations, Snow removal policy research, Public Education on
Van Spaces, Draft Ordinance Revisions, Schedule of City Project Reviews, Brochure
Meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes