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Home My WebLink AboutDisMinutes_2013_01_18Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities January 18, 2013 A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2013 in the Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Jessie Kuechenmeister, Lonnie Bayer, Matt Simet, Alan Davis, Geoffrey Graff, Kathy Heylens, Sylvia Lozada and Nadine Gjerde. Jeff Vostad, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, and Dave Miller were absent. Shari Thornes was present. Kuechenmeister called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Nadine Gjerde was welcomed as the newest member on the committee. Gjerde is filling the vacant student position. The agenda was adopted. The December 18 minutes were approved. Next meeting – TBD – February 15th or February 22nd @ 2:00 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Nominating Committee Report & Election of Officers. Bayer submitted the following proposed slate of officers for 2013: Miller as Chair and Kuechenmeister as Vice Chair. A motion was made by Heylens, seconded by Lozada, that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Miller and Kuechenmeister. All present voted yes; motion carried. Brookings Nature Park – Trails & Footbridge. Pete Colson, Park and Recreation Director, and Beth Niemeyer, Banner Associates Inc., were present to discuss Phase Two – Trails, Boardwalk and Footbridge. Colson clarified that the current path covering is temporary and the final covering will be either concrete or asphalt. Comments:  The only concern noted by Thornes and the Committee was that careful oversight be given on the transition between hard surface and soft, particularly for the boardwalk area. Bob Shelden Field Concession Stand & Restroom Project. Pete Colson reviewed proposed project plans. The current restrooms are not compliant. This project was reviewed and bid in 2011, but the bids came in too high and the project was shelved. Colson hopes to start construction this fall. Comments:  There was concern regarding the floor drain placement and slope in the accessible stalls and the family restroom. Colson will investigate and provide more information at the February meeting.  Thornes had a question regarding drinking fountain spout heights that was clarified by Banner staff. Goals & Objectives for 2013. The Committee discussed the following goals/objectives for 2013: Objectives…  Promote employment of people with disabilities  Promote improved facility and programming access to people with disabilities  Improve the quality of life for people who have disabilities through enhancing the knowledge base of entities in the community  Further serve as a community-based advocacy group enhancing the ability of local entities to comply with Federal Civil Rights legislation  Continue to increase public awareness of the challenges and needs and abilities of individuals who have disabilities  Influence a positive attitude within our community  Maintain a high level of coordination with South Dakota State University  Should we say anything about board development training?? Goals…  Conduct a medical equipment drive in July during ADA Anniversary  Develop a public education campaign on specific ADA issues/topics (February agenda item)  Hold Ice Cream Social at the July 28th band concert to promote ADA  Continue accessibility promotion at the Summer Arts Festival  Sponsor annual ABLE Awards  Educate the community on the importance of sidewalk snow removal  Identify the strengths of committee members to further increase participation  Update the committee’s informational brochure  Send multiple representatives to the National ADA Symposium There was discussion about tracking number of plan reviews and identifying other measurable items for future annual reports. Davis suggested a questionnaire asking customers for feedback. Action to approve 2012 Annual Report and 2013 Goals & Objectives. Lozada and Kuechenmeister served on the annual report subcommittee and presented a proposed report for review and action. A motion was made by Graff, seconded by Davis, to approve the 2012 Annual Report for submittal to the City Manager and City Council. All present voted yes; motion carried. Discuss possible revisions to the Committee Enabling Ordinance. Thornes said the City is mandated by the City Charter to review and update its Code of Ordinances every 10 years. That process started this month and will continue throughout 2013. Changes can include routine corrections and any state statute updates. She suggested this might be a good opportunity to review and update the Committee’s enabling ordinance. No action was taken. The Committee will discuss this issue again in February. PROJECT & ISSUE UPDATES: Hillcrest Pool Project Review (leisure pool & wading pool).  Wading Pool – Plans are to widen the accessible ramp from 3’ to 10’ without a railing.  Leisure Pool – Thornes has received conflicting interpretations from the ADA Center’s technical assistance staff. One feels it can be considered a wading pool and no railings or landing is needed. The other thinks it’s considered a “pool” due to the 36” depth and railings are needed. She’s trying to reach the US Access Board to get corroboration on either interpretation. Public Education on Sidewalk Snow Removal . No report. Local Accessibility Concerns.  Italian Gardens have removed the barrier in front of their business.  9 Bar has not replaced its front doors yet, so the threshold problem has not been fixed.  Bayer and Thornes will revisit the Theater concern. City ADA Coordinator’s Report.  The City Engineer is seeking committee recommendations on 2013 Sidewalk/Curb Ramp replacement routes (February Agenda Item)  She reviewed upcoming 2013 park & recreation projects that will require review: o Hillcrest: install ADA access on wading pool and 50M pool, purchase and install equipment, resurface BB court, new concrete pads in horseshoe pits, replace west parking lot o Indian Hills Park - install tot lot o Arrowhead Park- install playground, fix ADA access issues o Camelot Park – install tot lot o Valley View – install park access and equipment o Pheasants Nest Pond - design and install dog park Bike Trail – crack seal and grind out humps length of trail o Bob Sheldon – repair roof on maintenance building, walkways on bleachers, new parking lot lights. Bid new concessions and restrooms building Nature Park (remaining phases) OTHER BUSINESS: Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar Feb 15th Annual Report Deadline May 13-15 National ADA Symposium, San Antonio February Agenda: Ordinance Amendments, Recommendations on 2013 Sidewalk/Curb Ramp Replacement Routes, 6th Street Project – Medary Avenue to Main Avenue, Public Education Campaign Ideas, Bob Shelden Concession Building. Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m. Submitted by Shari Thornes