HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2011_10_28Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
October 28, 2011 (amended)
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on
Friday, October 28, 2011 in the Brookings City Hall with the following members p resent: Sylvia
Lozada, Alan Davis, Lonnie Bayer, Jessie Kuechenmeister, Geoff Graff, Jeff Vostad, Kathy Heylens
and Dona Kornbaum. Dave Miller, Matt Simet and Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks were absent. Shari
Thornes was also present.
Kuechenmeister called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Geoff Graff was welcomed to the
Committee as the newest member. The September minutes were approved. The agenda was
adopted. Next meeting – November 18th @ 2:00 p.m.
New Business:
Nature Park Phase 1 – Fisheries Improvements Review. Pete Colson, Brookings Park, Recreation &
Forestry Director, and Beth Niemeyer, Banner Associates Inc., reviewed the final plans for Phase
One of the Brookings Nature Park. The following comments were made:
The parking lot for the middle pond has been moved since the last design.
The hard surface paths will not exceed a 1:20 slope (5%) and be comprised of crushed concrete.
Accessible parking would be on poured concrete. The Committee expressed concern how the
path would transition from one surface to another (poured concrete to crushed).
The fishing pier design was not included the in plans. Key accessibility requirements with
fishing pier design are dispersion with a variety of locations on pier and 25% of the rails must be
at a height of 34”. The fishing pier details will be provided at the next meeting.
o 206.2.14 Fishing Piers and Platforms. Fishing piers and platforms shall be on an
accessible route. Accessible routes serving fishing piers and platforms shall comply with
Chapter 4 except as modified by 1005.1.
Proposed waiver to Family Restroom Requirement for East Fire Station Addition. In September the
Committee and ADA Coordinator reviewed plans for the fire hall east station addition. The
proposed design did 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.
Hartmann subsequently sent a letter to the Jeff Weldon, City Manager, requesting an exemption
from the city policy. Weldon indicated he planned to grant the waiver; but would be willing to hear
the Committee and staff’s position on this issue.
Family Restrooms Required
in New Construction, Remodels, and Retrofits of City Facilities and Parks
In addition to men’s and women’s restrooms, the installation of a family or “unisex” restroom is
recommended, not required, by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The City of Brookings
recognizes that all citizens can benefit from a family restroom in city facilities. A family restroom
provides flexibility by meeting the needs of many people while providing a private environment.
For this reason, the City of Brookings will require all new construction, remodels, and re trofits of
all City owned and/or city funded new facilities include the installation of a family restroom in
addition to compliance with all other requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act
guidelines.
All city facilities and city funded facilities will include the installation of a family restroom unless
specifically exempted by the City Manager. To exempt a project, the department head must
submit a written request identifying specific reasons for the exemption to the ADA Compliance
Officer. The Officer will provide a written recommendation to the appropriate department head
and City Manager. The City Manager will make a decision in the matter. The City Council will be
advised of any exemptions and provided the opportunity to override the City Manager’s decision.
Jeff Weldon, Brookings City Manager, attended the meeting to hear the Committee’s concerns and
comments. The Committee and staff cited the following reasons for installing a family restroom in
the facility:
City should serve as leader in ADA compliance.
City should not exempt itself when it is a requirement for other entities receiving city funds
(SDSU, School, Boys & Girls Club).
All citizens can benefit from the design, not just families.
Family restrooms provide flexibility meeting needs of many people with a private
environment.
Future intended uses of the space are unclear. It’s a meeting room space that could be
used for public education opportunities, including Brookings school children.
The fire auxiliary would use the facility for “County Night” and other function and could
benefit from a family restroom. The fire chief admitted there are auxiliary function
attendees, including families and children, former fire fighters in wheelchairs.
There are no compliant bathrooms in the building.
Spending money now would be cheaper now than in the long run.
Per policy, the city manager would have to notify the City Council if he plans to exempt a
project to give them an opportunity to override the decision.
Fairfield Inn. Managers at the Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn contacted Thornes requesting ADA
“certification.” She advised there is no such thing as “ADA Certified or an ADA Certificate" and
there is no certifying ADA agency in any governmental level (Federal/State/Local). She noted the
Committee would be happy to offer its assistance and comments, but the assistance is informal
advice only.
The official disclaimer is: “The information, materials, and/or technical assistance provided are
intended solely as informal guidance, and are neither a determination of your legal rights or
responsibilities under the ADA, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under
the ADA.”
Vostad, Kuechenmeister and Graff volunteered to serve on the subcommittee. Thornes will
provide the group with pertinent requirements per 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
and will try to schedule an onsite meeting in the near future.
Project & Issue Updates:
Wrap-up report on NDEAM Events & Luncheon (National Employment Awareness Month).
Thornes said Simet contacted her asking for the committee’s reactions and thoughts about this
year’s event. Those attending the event thought the presenter was very inspiring. He also shared
survey results in the agenda materials.
Wrap-up Report on ABLE Awards Presentation Event – September 29th. The combined Mayor’s
Awards presentation and reception was held on Thursday, September 29 at the Children’s
Museum of South Dakota. The event was well attended with approximately 120 guests. Staff
had estimated 60 for attendance. All winners from both organizations were present along with
the Mayor and five city council members, the city manager, several city department heads, local
legislators and local media. Suggested improvements: no music or quieter music, microphones
for presenters, request all hosting committee/commission volunteers be present at start of
event to act as hosts and designate a photographer. It was noted that neither the poster or
plaque was on display at the HyVee Gas Station.
Governor’s Awards Recognition – November 22nd . Kuechenmeister volunteered to assist the
Mayor with the presentation if Miller wasn’t available.
Committee Members’ terms. Appointment terms for the following members expire on 12-31:
Alan Davis, Lonnie Bayer, Jessie Kuechenmeister, Jeff Vostad, Dave Miller and Nancy Hartenhoff -
Crooks. Mayor Reed plans to reappoint all members wishing to serve.
Snow Removal Ordinance. Thornes met with the City Attorney and Community Development
Director about proposed changes to the snow removal ordinance pertaining to sidewalks. The City
Attorney has determined city code enforcement can issue citations in the public right-of-way. The
group discussed the use of door tags as a means to issue a ticket to a specific property, similar to a
parking ticket. Maximum penalty allowed by city ordinance is $200. The City Attorney will review
the proposed draft ordinance. Thornes hopes to present the ordinance for council action before
year end.
Additional Reports:
City ADA Coordinator’s Report.
Downtown Parking. The City Engineer hopes to correct all non-compliant parking spaces
before winter. No update on the tables.
Community Cultural Center. The new railing on the north side and accessible parking signage on
the east have not been installed yet.
Hospital – Verasun Building - Brookings Health Systems purchased the building for hospital
purposes. The first floor will have retail space for durable medical equipment. This program is
owned by Avera and Brookings Health Systems making it a Title II program. Mills Construction
is doing the remodeling. The current service counter is too tall. Stair access only to the
basement and second floor, but neither is a public space (Medical Records/Business
Office/Transcriptions and Home Health). State Dept of Health regulations do not allow any
patient services in those areas.
ADA Leadership Network Updates – The ADA Leadership Program was renewed with a five year
Federal grant. They are currently updating the memorandum of understanding with network
participants. Per renewal guidelines, the Center will focus on the following:
o Helping people advocate for themselves
o More impact of ADA in local communities
o Provide more support to network members within their local community
o Conduct train the trainer sessions
o Increase amount of ADA training and technical assistance
o Focus on consulting
o Increase the capacity of the ADA network by being more supportive of us within local
communities and activities
o Do a better job on documenting activities and ideas
o Further marketing of services and products
o Build our own internal capacity to pass info along
City Hall/Law Enforcement Center remodeling and designs on hold until 1/1/12.
Nursing Home Expansion – Plan review will commence after the Thanksgiving holiday. Phil
Wagner is the local project manager. The lead architectural firm is Horty Elving from
Minneapolis.
Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar
November 17th – Reception for Volunteer Boards, Committees & Commissions, 5-7 pm,
Children’s Museum
November 22nd – Governor’s Awards Nominee Recognition
Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes