HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2012_12_21Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
December 21, 2012
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday,
December 21, 2012 in the Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members
present: Dave Miller, Jessie Kuechenmeister, Lonnie Bayer, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Alan Davis,
Geoffrey Graff, Kathy Heylens, Sylvia Lozada, Dona Kornbaum and Jeff Vostad. Matt Simet was absent.
Shari Thornes was present.
Miller called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The agenda was adopted. Next meeting - Friday, January
18 @ 2:00 p.m.
New Business
Hillcrest Pool Project Review. Chase Ellis, City Recreation Superintendent, presented the proposed plan
to remodel the small wading pool located on the southeast corner of the Hillcrest Aquatic Center just
outside the fence. The pool doesn’t comply with the new 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
because it doesn’t have a zero depth entry. The proposal is to construct a ten foot ramp with a 1:12
slope and railings. Originally, they had planned to make the entire 28’ entrance zero depth, but it would
have impacted the filtration pumping system and been very costly. Handrails aren’t required in a wading
pool. Thornes and the Committee recommended widening the ramp entrance and eliminate the rails.
The leisure pool is located in the fenced Aquatic Center and is very large, measuring 90’ by 120’. A number
of elevated and ground level play features are provided in the pool. Access is provided by a zero depth
sloped entry at a very gradual slope of 1” to 2 1/2’ by the sidewalk and 1:12 by the restroom. Standards
state that sloped entries can extend to a depth of 30 maximum before a landing and rails are required. A
small section of the pool is 36” deep. The issue is if a landing and railings are required. Ellis said railings
would pose a threat to the age group that utilizes this pool, which are 4 years and under. He’s concerned
about children getting their feet and hands caught in the railings. He’s checked with other aquatic directors
and no one is making changes to their leisure pools.
Thornes has received contradictory interpretations from Regional ADA Center staff. She recommended
obtaining opinions from the US Access Board and Dept. of Justice. The pool’s nature and use is in question.
A new compliant lift will be purchased in 2013 for the large pool. The Brookings School District and SDSU
are also purchasing the same lift. He clarified that there is no longer any city use or city programs at the
SDSU pool.
The Committee requested updated wading pool plans for the January 7th meeting. Thornes will also obtain
additional input on the leisure pool.
Discussion with Krista Roth, Yankton Disability Education & Awareness Committee. Krista Roth was
invited to attend the meeting to learn about the Brookings Disability Committee. She ‘s the chair on the new
Yankton Disability Committee and they are struggling. Members suggested the following: 1) Hold all
meetings in a city facility, 2) Obtain city staffing, preferably the City ADA Coordinator, 3) Meet with the
Mayor to gain support for staffing and budget, 4) Get trained - become a member of the ADA Leadership
Network, attend the National ADA Symposium, sign up for online webinars.
Appoint Nominating Committee. Bayer volunteered to serve on the nominating committee.
Project & Issue Updates:
Public Education on Sidewalk Snow Removal. Hartenhoff-Crooks is trying to find a group that would
coordinate the volunteer efforts and be the single point of contact. The ‘My Neighbor’ program has been
suggested. Members of the Brookings Wesleyan Church have volunteered to assist in snow removal.
Vostad is help with public service announcements.
Membership. Dona Kornbaum was thanked for her 12 years of service on the Committee! Sylvia Lozada
will be moved from the student position into Kornbaum’s. The student vacancy will be filled by Nadine
Gjerde.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report.
• Elections will be held in April. No changes are planned to precinct locations this year.
• ADA Quiz Book Reminder!
• Outdoor Learning Center – Thornes hasn’t received any of the design changes from the project
planners.
Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar
• Feb 15th Annual Report Deadline
January Agenda: Election of Officers, Action to approve Annual Report, Conference Call with Network
members
Meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes