HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2013_06_27Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
June 27, 2013
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on
Thursday, June 27, 2013 in the Brookings City & County Government Center with the following
members present: Matt Simet, Lonnie Bayer, Jessie Kuechenmeister, Dave Miller, Alan Davis,
Geoffrey Graff, Nadine Gjerde, Sylvia Buboltz, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks and Kathy Heylens. Jeff
Vostad was absent. Shari Thornes was also present.
Miller called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The agenda was adopted. The May 23rd
minutes were approved. Next meeting – Thursday, July 25th @ 2:00 p.m. Meetings will switch
back to Fridays in the fall.
NEW BUSINESS
Curb Ramps. Gary Aguiar requested a discussion about the citywide curb ramp compliance
schedule and selection process. He is a bike commuter who uses the sidewalk. Using the city’s
current map and 8 intersections/year replacement rate, he calculated all ramps in the city will be
completed in 13 years. He asked the Committee to formalize the selection and prioritization
process so people know when areas of town are scheduled for replacement.
Miller said priority is given to highest use areas that include routes to schools, medical facilities,
government offices, arterial/collector streets, access to downtown and campus. It’s also difficult to
plan far into the future because projects are coordinated with mil and overlay street projects.
Flexibility also allows for individual requests from people with disabilities, who receive the highest
priority. The Committee will hold a public hearing later this year requesting public input on
suggested curb ramp replacement areas in 2014.
Thornes said the city budgets approximately $50,000 per year for curb ramp and concrete work;
however, it’s difficult to estimate costs because intersections can also include require fillets and
valley gutters.
The map is hard to evaluate because some intersections only have two radii (corners) to do like at T
intersections, some have four, some have one ramp in the radii and some have two. The ramps
from the 1990s don’t have landings or truncated domes. These will be investigated on a case by
case basis to see if domes can be glued or if a total curb ramp reconstruction is needed.
The City also has overlay routes through the DOT urban program and all the ramps are updated
with the overlays. The upcoming routes include: 17th Ave S from 6th Street to 8th Street South,
Sunrise Ridge Road, Main Ave S from 8th Street South to 20th Street South, Eastbrook Drive, 3rd
Street from Medary Avenue to 22nd Ave S, and 12th Street South from Main to Medary.
Aguiar informed the Committee of an accessibility slope problem on the bike trail near Daktronics.
Train the Trainer Report. Kuechenmeister and Gjerde attended the ‘Train the Trainer’ workshop
in Sioux Falls on June 1-2. Both said it was a good event; however, turnout was poor with only 4
from South Dakota attending. The group learned how to utilize the modules to conduct
trainings. Both said the modules were user-friendly and something they would use in the
future.
Network members are now asked to follow new reporting procedures listed on the Network’s
“members page” website. Anyone speaking to a group or conducting a public education activity
should fill out the form. Any group activity reports will be completed by staff.
ABLE Award Nominations. The Committee discussed the Neighborhood @ Brookview, Teen
Challenge, the Brookings County and City Government Center and the Camelot School playground.
Teen Challenge was disqualified because it’s outside city limits. The Nature Center was suggested
as a nominee and award location for next year. There was consensus to select Camelot School
playground and the group will tour the nursing home. The school was suggested as an award
location. Available award event dates in September are 5 or 12. The Committee requested
September 12th.
Project & Issue Updates:
ADA Anniversary Ice Cream Social & Presentation – July 28. Heylens will coordinate this year’s
event. Mayor Reed will be asked to speak again prior to the band concert. Heylens will send event
planning details to members.
Durable Medical Equipment Drive. The Committee is sponsoring a durable medical equipment
drive from July 21-27. Subcommittee: Subcommittee: Miller (Chair), Bayer, Simet and Graff.
Advertising will include announcements at the band concerts (Heylens will contact), Mayor’s Radio
Program, Public Service Announcement (Vostad), feature article (Miller/Kuechenmeister), Town &
Country Shopper advertisement (Thornes), and city website/channel/social media (Thornes).
Playground Surface Tour Report and Surface Recommendations. On May 31st Miller, Thornes,
Kuechenmeister, Vostad and Graff toured playgrounds at Lyons Park, Camelot Square School and
Hillcrest School. Lyons Park playground has engineered wood fibers and is not accessible because
the material is loose and unstable. Camelot School has a poured in place (PIP) rubber surface done
in 2008 at a cost of $142,000. The surface is very accessible and looks new. The playground
equipment of $200,000 was donated and by the GameTime company. Hillcrest School playground
is rubber tiles. Most were done in 2008 by Dakota Fence for approximately $85,000. Another
section was added in 2010. They had tried rubber chips and didn’t like them. The school district is
planning to install a PIP surface at Medary School next year. Had they known PIP was preferred,
they would have done that instead of tiles at Hillcrest.
The Park and Recreation Director requested a recommendation on preferred play surface
materials. Thornes and the Committee are still waiting for the final Playground Surfaces Report
findings from the National Center on Accessibility. Publication was scheduled January 2013, but
the Access Board is still reviewing the document. Based on information currently available,
Thornes and the Committee said they can state what they don’t recommend. They will review
reports and additional information as it comes available and will revise their recommendations as
needed:
• Professionally installed Poured in Place (PIP) rubber is very accessible, but is very expensive and
should only be used where it is truly required. Play areas should be strategically designed to
allow the shortest routes possible to provide access ground level play components and the
entry and exit points and of elevated structures. Only areas that are required to be both safe
and accessible need a material like PIP. Concrete and other solid materials can be used for
accessibility outside the use zones. Pea gravel, which is usually cheaper and more durable than
mulch or wood chips, can serve fall attenuation needs outside of accessible routes.
• Rubber tiles can work if properly installed and maintained.
• Engineered Wood Fibers should not be used. They are loose, unstable and not compliant.
Emergency Response and Preparedness Subcommittee. Subcommittee: Bayer (chair), Miller,
Simet and Davis. Thornes contacted Bob Hill, Brookings County Management Director, requesting
a copy of the citywide emergency plan pertaining to people with disabilities. Hill reviewed the
document and advised Thornes that there wasn’t much in the document pertaining to people with
disabilities.
Brookings City & County Government Center Evacuation Plan. The Committee reviewed the
Evacuation Plan for the Brookings City and County Government Center and found no provisions for
people with disabilities. The plan was drafted by a committee comprised of city and county
personnel.
Thornes highlighted several great reference examples on including people with disabilities:
1) Dept of Justice ADA Toolkit for Emergency Preparedness & Checklists
2) State of MN Toolkit, patterned from the DOJ’s toolkit, also includes the U.S. Access Board’s
Evacuation Plan:
• Information in the toolkit notes there is great controversy regarding “defend in place”
verses “evacuating” a person with a disability. Defend in place means the person goes
to a designated area of refuge and waits for first responders. It is recommended by
many first responders and is opposed by many individuals with disabilities. Evacuate
means a person with a disability is immediately evacuated with everyone else.
• The kit also includes:
• Employers guide to including people with disabilities in the planning;
• Emergency evacuation procedures and a sample plan;
• How to assist persons with disabilities in an evacuation. This includes individuals with
mobility limitations, limited communication skills, deaf, blind or low vision,
psychological, learning differences, developmentally disabled, medical conditions,
and individual with service animals; and
• Evacuation equipment examples and suggestions.
3) University of Berkeley, CA evacuation plan pertaining to people with disabilities
4) National Organization on Disabilities Emergency Preparedness Initiative
5) Project Civic Access Settlement Agreements with communities: This is a great resource to
use in understanding aspects of emergency plans that are overlooked is the Department of
Justice’s settlement agreements with public entities resulting from Project Civic Access
investigations. According to Geoff Ames, DBTAC, this is as close as you can come to a
proactive prescription for an emergency management plan. He cited the DOJ settlement
agreement with Kansas City as an example.
Thornes will meet with the Emergency Response and Preparedness subcommittee to develop
suggested revisions to the City/County Plan.
Public Education Subcommittee Report. Subcommittee: Buboltz (chair), Kuechenmeister, Gjerde
and Bayer. The Committee is reviewing materials for distribution. Information on daycares was
suggested.
Statewide Conference Call Report. Hartenhoff-Crooks and Thornes participated in the June 20th
conference call. A summary of the call was emailed to the Committee. The group has asked if
Miller and Kuechenmeister can report on the ADA symposium during the next call. The next call is
scheduled for July 18th at 9:00 a.m.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report:
• McCrory Gardens Visitor Center: Thornes and Miller reviewed the Center on June 18th and
reported the following items remain non-compliant:
Interior Door Force: CORRECTION: Several interior doors throughout the building
exceeded the maximum 5 lbf allowed. Adjust or replace closers, Install lighter doors, or
Install power-assisted or automated door openers.
Curb Ramp Location: CORRECTION: A sidewalk eastbound from the Center intersects
with a sidewalk on 22nd Avenue. A curb ramp was incorrectly installed at the end of the
path of travel that leads the pedestrian directly into the Walmart driveway. Remove or
relocate curb ramp. Consult with City Engineering on relocation.
Accessible Parking Spaces: The east accessible parking space was widened to 96 inches;
however, this resulted in the van access aisle being too narrow to comply as a “van
space.” CORRECTION: REMOVE “VAN SPACE” FROM VERTICAL SIGNAGE AND RELOCATE
TO SPACE FARTHEST WEST.
Doorway Thresholds: CORRECTION: Some interior doorway thresholds were ½ inch in
height without bevel. Any changes in level ¼ to ½ inch in height must be beveled.
Path of Travel: CORRECTION: Sidewalk located outside the west exterior door (access
to family restroom) has settled and exceeds allowable ¼ inch displacement. An attempt
was made to bevel the edge with a soft fill material; however, the displacement remains
non--compliant. All interior and exterior ground surfaces must be stable, firm and slip
resistant. Any changes in level ¼ to ½ inch in height must be beveled.
Programming: The exterior door that provides direct access to the family
restroom was locked during daytime hours. Recommend installation of signage
visible from exterior indicating location of family restroom and provide daytime
access from west entrance.
• Boys & Girls Club: Thornes was contacted by the architect working on a project at the Boys and
Girls Club. They are expanding the early childhood development program by adding 5
preschool classrooms and would like to add a single toilet room off each classroom. They were
unsure if the bathroom needed to be accessible and Thornes clarified that they do.
• 2014 Symposium: The 2014 Symposium will be in Denver on June 15-18.
• Swiftel Center: Thornes has contacted the Swiftel Center executive director requesting he
attend a future committee meeting to review and discuss the Center’s seating and ticketing
policy.
• City Capital Improvement Plan: Thornes reported the City Council reviewed the latest Capital
Improvement Plan for 2014-2018, which included a number of projects for park and recreation
that will require ADA review. The Park and Recreation Director mentioned hiring a consultant
to prepare a Sports Field Master Plan. He also mentioned the possibility of installing prefab
ADA restroom buildings in city parks.
• Committee Brochure Update: This item was turned over the public education subcommittee.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar
∗ July 21-27 Durable Medical Equipment Drive
∗ July 28th Ice Cream Social, Pioneer Park
∗ Sept 5 or 12 ABLE Awards
July: ADA Anniversary Event, Durable Medical Equipment Drive, ABLE Award planning, Emergency
Response reports
Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes