HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2012_04_20Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
April 20, 2012
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday,
April 20, 2012 in the Brookings City Hall with the following members present: Jessie Kuechenmeister,
Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Jeff Vostad, Sylvia Lozada, Geoff Graff, Kathy Heylens and Lonnie Bayer. Dave
Miller, Matt Simet, Dona Kornbaum and Alan Davis were absent. Shari Thornes was present.
Kuechenmeister called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The March minutes were approved as printed.
The following items were added to the agenda: Taste of Europe accessibility, Nine Bar entrance and
Rotary Park plan review were added to the agenda. The agenda was adopted as amended. Next meeting
– May 11th @ 2:00 p.m.
New Business
Rotary Park/Gateway Project (agenda addition). Draft plans for sidewalks and curb ramps in rotary park
were provided to the Committee after the agenda was finalized. Rotary Park is a privately owned park
located on the southwest corner of 22nd Avenue and 6th Street. The owners have agreed to install sidewalks
and curb ramps in conjunction with the city’s gateway project. Thornes will do a site visit next week.
Concerns were noted about the curb ramp side flare slope and the use of diagonal instead of direction
ramps. Members were asked to submit additional comments or concerns by April 27th.
Taste of Europe (agenda addition). Thornes received a complaint about the path of travel to the Taste of
Europe restaurant located in a strip mall on south Main Avenue. Committee members will follow-up with
the owner and report back at the next meeting.
Nine Bar (agenda addition). Miller received a complaint about the Nine Bar entrance. Bayer volunteered to
follow-up with the owner and report back at the next meeting.
Request for input on new Curb Ramps installations in 2012. Jackie Lanning, City Engineer, has funding for
a few curb ramp installs/replacements and asked for committee recommendations. The Committee felt
the area around the new city/county building and government center should be upgraded. Third Street
should be a priority as a heavily travelled street. The Committee will consider holding public hearings in
the future to gather additional citizen input.
Issues to bring forward at Volunteer Leadership Coffees. Mayor Reed is hosting “Volunteer Leadership
Coffee” on May 10th & 17th with city volunteer board, committee, council and commission Chairpersons
and Vice Chairpersons. He hopes to provide the city’s volunteer leadership with information on city
issues and projects and seek input. Kuechenmeister is attending May 10th and Miller is attending May
17th.
City 2013 funding request. Deadline for city funding performance narratives and funding application is June
15th with budget instructions released on May 29th. Thornes will prepare the Committee’s funding request
in conjunction with the city clerk’s budget.
Project & Issue Updates:
2012 ADA Anniversary Activities – Heylens reported plans are underway to host an ice cream social during
the last summer band concert at Pioneer Park on Sunday, July 29th. Thornes will ask the Mayor if he’d be
willing to make a short presentation on the importance of the ADA.
2012 ABLE Award. The proposed date for the combined event is Thursday, September 27th. Location ideas
include the City/County Government Center, Carnegie Library and Dykhouse Center. The Committee was
opposed to the Carnegie due to less than desirable access.
Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance; Public Education Strategy and Assistance Options . The Committee
plans to propose an amendment to reduce the fine.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report.
• The City is preparing specs for ADA compliant signage in the City/County Administration building.
• Thornes continues to seek clarification on the toe clearance for the fishing piers’ accessible railing.
• 6th Street – Public hearings are planned after the city and state agree on a final preferred design for the
6th Street project. Plans do include pedestrian access on both sides of the bridge crossing I-29.
Other Business:
Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar
∗ ADA Leadership Certification Announcement!
∗ April 22nd Spring Diversity Potluck, McCrory Gardens Visitor Center, 5-7 pm
∗ May 10th Volunteer Leadership Coffee with Mayor/Innovation Campus, 8-9:30 am
∗ May 17th Volunteer Leadership Coffee with Mayor/Innovation Campus, 8-9:30 am
∗ May 29-June 2 ADA Symposium (Indianapolis)
∗ July 26th Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary
∗ Sept 13th Volunteer Reception, Performing Arts Center, 5-7 pm (volunteer & guest invited)
∗ Dec 6th Mayor’s Holiday Party, McCrory Gardens Visitor Center, 5-7 pm
May Agenda: Brookings Courthouse Remodel Plan Review, Outdoor Learning Center Plan Review, City
Nature Park Learning Center Plan Review, Co-sponsorship of National Disability Employment Awareness
Month event.
Meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes