HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2012_02_03Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
February 3, 2012
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday,
February 3, 2012 in the Brookings City Hall with the following members present: Dave Miller, Jessie
Kuechenmeister, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Sylvia Lozada, Alan Davis, Geoff Graff, Jeff Vostad and Dona
Kornbaum. Kathy Heylens, Matt Simet and Lonnie Bayer were absent. Shari Thornes was also present.
Miller called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The December 9, 2011 minutes were approved. The
agenda was adopted. NOTE – The January 20th meeting was cancelled due to quorum issues and was
rescheduled to February 3rd. Next meeting – February 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
City Law Enforcement Remodeling (City Hall); Plan Review. The following is a summary of questions,
responses and follow-up noted during the review:
Parking space
o Maintain 132” width for van space access aisle & parking
o Revise ramp design with counter slopes rather than flush curb
o Current ramp location is on south end; Committee requested a ramp on both ends
o How the space is painted/marked will be important
o Shift space farther north to avoid the planter
o Gutter apron is allowed by standards in designated access aisle space; cross slope calls for 1/48
(this would be okay as long as installed properly)
Ramp
o No concerns with ramp design
o Questions regarding proposed lighting
Door opener
o Request mounting on wall at top of ramp, left side
o Interior opener will be located on north wall between doors
o Check closer speed to be sure it meets requirements
Restroom
o Door swing questions were answered
o Questions on appropriate hardware
o 404.2.7 Door and Gate Hardware. Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operable parts on
doors and gates shall comply with 309.4. Operable parts of such hardware shall be 34 inches
(865 mm) minimum and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.
Where sliding doors are in the fully open position, operating hardware shall be exposed and
usable from both sides. (Advisory 404.2.7 Door and Gate Hardware. Door hardware that can
be operated with a closed fist or a loose grip accommodates the greatest range of users.
Hardware that requires simultaneous hand and finger movements require greater dexterity
and coordination, and is not recommended.
For the February 17th agenda packet, the architect will provide final plans in construction level detail to
include all dimensions and measurements of all areas of remodel including the counter entrance.
City/County Building; Kiosk and Council Chambers Podium Designs; First Floor Casework & Cabinetry.
No concerns were noted in the first floor casework and cabinetry plans. Thornes is working on the interior
signage specifications.
Action to approve ADA Leadership Network Agreement Renewal; Review of New Requirements.
A motion was made by Vostad, seconded by Hartenhoff-Crooks, to approve the following Rocky Mountain
ADA Leadership Network Memorandum of Understanding and Annual Work Plan for fiscal year 2012. All
present voted yes; motion carried.
Rocky Mountain ADA Leadership Network
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) is hereby made and entered into by and between the
Organization, hereinafter referred to as Organization/Contact Person and the Rocky Mountain ADA Center.
I. Purpose
The Rocky Mountain ADA Leadership Network is designed to improve implementation, awareness and
understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the six-state region of Colorado, Montana, North
Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Special emphasis will be placed on:
• Expanding the quantity and increasing the quality of implementation focused ADA services
• Establishing a network of ADA experts at the local level to provide technical assistance
II. Terms of Agreement
This MOU is not a contract or legally binding. Rather, it is a good-faith acknowledgement that both parties will
strive to work together on common goals that result in implementing the ADA.
This MOU will commence on the date of signing and conclude on September 30, 2012. After this period the parties
may extend it for a period of another twelve months. It is anticipated that the ADA Center and
Organization/Contact Person will review and revise the specific collaborative activities and commitments each year.
The MOU may be terminated at any time by either party for any reason upon 15 days notice to the other party.
III. General Responsibilities for ADA Center and Network Members
Both parties agree to:
• Participate in meetings, calls or events, as planned, for the purpose of mutual sharing of ideas, projects,
products and information and establishing the progress in achieving outcomes of the MOU at least once
per quarter.
• Communicate via email and meet as necessary in between regularly scheduled calls and meetings.
• Provide a contact person for the MOU and notify each other of any change to the
nominated contact.
• Complete the ADA trainer network 2 day course within 2 years of signing this MOU.
• Conduct a mutually agreed upon number of ADA training events per year.
• Provide ongoing ADA-related technical assistance to stakeholders and complete the online Contact
Summary form for each TA event, when appropriate.
• Distribute ADA-related materials to stakeholders upon request.
• Satisfy the requirements listed in the “List of Benefits and Expectations” document.
• Report on activities funded by the ADA center utilizing the ADA Center forms and format.
• Provide access to the managerial personnel, technical expertise, tools, and information to enable the
successful implementation of the collaborative initiatives between the ADA Center and
Organization/Contact Person.
• Develop a plan for our collaborative initiatives within 3 months of signing the MOU. The annual plan should
define short-term milestones (approximately 6 months) and longer-term milestones for delivering
collaborative products and services.
• Provide links from appropriate places on their website to the other parties’ website.
• Provide acknowledgement of the origin of the resources in displaying results of our collaboration. Each
organization will provide appropriate logos for this purpose.
• Issue a press release announcing the alliance and post the press release on our respective websites.
• Evaluate the value and productivity of the alliance one year from signing the MOU.
IV. Benefits and Expectations for Individual Network Members (Please see attachment A)
V. Accommodations
Upon request, the ADA Center will provide a Network member with necessary modifications such as sign language
interpreters, alternate formats, or other appropriate reasonable modifications to ensure full inclusion of people
with disabilities during ADA-Center sponsored events and activities. Network members are also expected to provide
modifications to stakeholders when providing services.
VI. Funding
The ADA Center through its grant from U.S. Department of Education will earmark approximately $80,000 each year
to support the activities of Network members. Details for requesting funds are available from the Network
Coordinator or your ADA Center state liaison.
VII. Participation in Similar Activities
This MOU in no way restricts the ADA Center or ADA Leadership Network members from participating in similar
activities with other public or private agencies, organizations, and individuals.
VIII. Approval and Contact Information
Contact Person: Shari Thornes
Organization: City of Brookings
Brookings Committee for People who have
Disabilities
Title: City Clerk & ADA Coordinator
Address 1: 311 Third Avenue, PO Box 270
City, State, Zip: Brookings, SD 57006
Phone, TTY, VP: 605-697-8641
Fax: 605-692-6907
Email: sthornes@cityofbrookings.org
Website: www.cityofbrookings.org
Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance; Public Education Strategy and Assistance Options. Public education
outlet suggestions included the university and city website & government channels 3 and 9, social media,
public service announcements, Sioux Falls television, local newspaper and radio. The city should issue a
statement each time defining exactly when the 48 hours after snowfall expires.
Possible partners in providing assistance included Teen Challenge, My Neighbor program, SDSU Student
Association and Wesleyan Church Men’s Group.
Subcommittee formed: Miller, Hartenhoff-Crooks and Simet
State Driver’s License Office; Accessibility Concerns. Dale McCuen contacted City Hall with concerns about
the door weight at the State Driver’s License Office located in the Old Sanctuary. Miller volunteered to
contact the property owner to resolve the situation.
Action to approve the 2011 Annual Report and Establish 2012 Goals. Kuechenmeister was commended for
her hard work on the annual report. A motion was made by Kornbaum, seconded by Graff, to approve the
2011 annual report. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Proposed changes to the Annual “ADA Statement.” The committee reviewed the annual Americans with
Disabilities Act notice published by the City of Brookings and no recommended changes.
“In accordance with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of
Brookings, South Dakota, will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability
in its services, programs, or activities.
Employment: The City of Brookings, South Dakota, does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or
employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission under title I of the ADA.
Effective Communication: The City of Brookings, South Dakota, will generally, upon request, provide appropriate
aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate
equally in the City’s programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in
Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing,
or vision impairments.
Modifications to Policies and Procedures: The City of Brookings, South Dakota, will make all reasonable
modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all
of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in City offices,
even where pets are generally prohibited.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or
procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Brookings, should contact the office of City
ADA Compliance Officer, Shari Thornes, as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
The ADA does not require the City of Brookings to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its
programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.
Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the City of Brookings is not accessible to persons with disabilities
should be directed to the City ADA Compliance Officer.
The City of Brookings will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals
with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as
retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.
Contact Information: Shari Thornes, City of Brookings, South Dakota, ADA Compliance Officer and City Clerk, City
Hall, 311 Third Avenue, Post Office Box 270, Brookings, SD 57006, 605-692-6281, sthornes@cityofbrookings.org,
www.cityofbrookings.org.”
Training Opportunities
A. Accessible Courthouses and Courtrooms – Feb 2nd, 1:30-3 pm
B. 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design – Mar 1st, 1:30-3 pm (Vostad & Hartenhoff-Crooks)
C. ADA Symposium (Orlando) - Mar 11-15 (Miller is interested)
D. ADA Symposium (Indianapolis) - May 29-June 2 (Graff, Kuechenmeister, Hartenhoff-Crooks and Vostad
are all interested)
PROJECT & ISSUE UPDATES:
Update on Brookings Health Systems Nursing Home Expansion Plan Review Schedule. The final plans will
not be available until February 13th and are being released to bidders on February 14th. The architect is
willing to meet with the Committee to provide an overview and respond to questions. The Committee
agreed to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, February 14th from 1:00 -3:00 p.m. The plans will be emailed as
soon as they are received in city hall; however, it may be as late as February 13th.
Governor’s Awards – February 24th deadline – Simet is coordinating the final nomination submittals.
Transportation Board – The City dissolved the Transportation Board in December 2011.
Brookings Courthouse Remodel – Thornes volunteered to contact a county representative to request an
opportunity for the Committee to review the County’s remodeling plans.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report:
∗ Additional ADA Guidelines were distributed to Sylvia and Dona.
∗ Island @ 22nd Avenue & 6th Street – It was recently brought to the city’s attention that no one is clearing
snow from the sidewalk/pedestrian island at the intersection of 22nd Avenue and 6th Street. Sixth Street
is owned by the State; however, the city has agreed to take responsibility for its cleaning.
∗ Golf Course – Park and Recreation will be restriping and signing the municipal golf course parking lot.
∗ National ADA Association of ADA Coordinators – Thornes recently joined this organization and may
attend a conference later this year.
∗ Conference Call – Thornes will not be available to participate in the next conference call. Hartenhoff-
Crooks volunteered.
∗ Sustainability Council – The Council has inquired if the Committee plans to conduct a durable medical
equipment drive this year. They’d like to include a statement about the drive in the new Sustainability
Guide.
∗ Park & Recreation Center – The chair lift has been repaired.
∗ McCrory Gardens – Thornes took advantage of the good weather in January and conducted the outside
review of the McCrory Gardens Visitor Center. She noted path of travel concerns in the south courtyard
area due to uneven pavers. She also noted a poorly placed new curb ramp on the east public sidewalk
along 22nd Avenue that does not connect to a companion curb ramp or sidewalk on the other side.
Rather, it directs pedestrians into the Wal-Mart driveway. Corrections will also be needed on the
accessible parking spaces; some are too small. The interior review will be scheduled this spring.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar
∗ Feb 2nd Accessible Courthouses and Courtrooms, 1:30-3 pm
∗ Feb 15th Annual Report Deadline
∗ Feb 24th Governor’s Award
∗ March 1st 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, 1:30-3 pm
∗ Mar 11-15 ADA Symposium (Orlando)
∗ May 29-June 2 ADA Symposium (Indianapolis)
Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes