HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2011_09_23Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
September 23, 2011 (amended)
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on
Friday, September 23, 2011 in the Brookings City Hall with the following membe rs present:
Dave Miller, Sylvia Lozada, Alan Davis, Matt Simet, Lonnie Bayer, Jessie Kuechenmeister and Jeff
Vostad. Absent: Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Kathy Heylens and Dona Kornbaum. Shari Thornes
was also present.
Miller called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The August minutes were approved. The
Agenda was adopted. Next meeting - October 21st @ 2:00 p.m.
New Business:
Proposed East Fire Station. Fire Chief Darrell Hartmann presented preliminary designs for an
addition to the 6th Street Fire Station. Plans involve adding a meeting/training area, bathrooms
and a kitchen to the north of the existing truck bay.
However, the proposed design does not include a family restroom. All city facilities and city
funded facilities are required to have a family restroom unless specifically exempted by the city
manager. Cost of the restroom inclusion can’t be considered in the decision making process.
Hartmann said the meeting room would not be open to public access. However, committee
members and staff raised concerns about future use of the space for educational activities.
The group identified a potential area to be allocated for the family restroom. It was also noted
that former fire fighters that use wheelchairs attend fire department functions. It was also
noted that the nearby administrative offices do not have accessible bathrooms.
Detailed plans will be available in November or December 2011 for the next phase in the review
process.
A motion was made by Vostad, seconded by Bayer, to recommend inclusion of the family
restroom in the East Fire Station addition. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Governor’s Awards – Local Nominees. Nominations in the ‘Outstanding Employer’ category
have been received for the following local businesses: Brookings Regional Humane Society,
Day’s Inn and United Retirement Center. Davis and Simet volunteered to prepare
proclamations for each nominee to be presented by the Mayor.
Audible Traffic Signals (Accessible Pedestrian Signal -APS). Tabled
Brookings Health Systems (former Verasun Building). Thornes has received two accessibility
concerns regarding this building. She will contact the Board chair and hospital officials to
request a facility review.
ADA requirements regarding appointment of ADA Coordinators. The Americans with
Disabilities Act requires all governmental entities (counties, municipalities, school districts, etc.)
appoint an ADA Coordinator. Thornes will contact the local governmental entities to identify
appropriate ADA contact people.
Project & Issue Updates:
ABLE Awards Presentation Event. September 29th – Miller will present the awards. Reception
at 4:30 p.m. and program at 5:30 p.m. Both award recipients are planning to attend.
Snow Removal Ordinance. Miller and Thornes met with Jeff Weldon, City Manager, regarding
proposed changes to the ordinance. Weldon was supportive of preparing a draft ordinance
revision; however, did not agree with changing the 48 hours to 24 hours. Staff will work with
community development and the city attorney on a draft ordinance.
Proposed PSA on Van Spaces. Tabled
Accessible Temporary Events Research and Proposed Policy Revisions. Tabled
NDEAM Events & Luncheon (National Employment Awareness Month). A number of
committee members are registered to attend the luncheon.
Committee Vacancy. Geoffrey Graff, SDSU Architecture Professor, will be appointed to the
Committee on September 26th.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report
New Park/Recreation/Forestry Director – Pete Colson has been hired as the new city park,
recreation and forestry superintendent. Thornes met with him on a number of issues including
pending ADA items (new swimming pool & golf course requirements per the 2010 standards,
compliant downtown tables, community cultural center review, playgrounds, nature park
building, review of all city parks - parking lots). He would be interested in attending ADA
training next year.
Information provided to SDML on standards for swimming pools – DBTAC recently provided
standards information to SDML for statewide dissemination; however, the email message
included other information that wasn’t accurate. Thornes is working with DBTAC to provide
SDML with additional information to clarify and correct.
Downtown Parking Updates –The City Engineer hopes to make parking and signage corrections
yet this fall.
Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar
September 29th ABLE Awards Reception
October 5th NDEAM Events & Luncheon (National Employment Awareness Month)
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes