HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2013_10_251
Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
October 25, 2013
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 2:00 p.m. on
Friday, October 25, 2013 in the Brookings City & County Government Center with the following
members present: Lonnie Bayer, Shawn Minor, Geoffrey Graff, Nadine Gjerde, Sylvia Buboltz,
Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Kathy Heylens, Dave Miller and Alan Davis. Matt Simet and Jessie
Kuechenmeister were absent. Shari Thornes was also present.
Miller called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Shawn Minor was welcomed to the Committee
as its new student member. Gjerde was moved from the student position into a full member
position. The agenda was adopted. The September minutes were approved. Next meeting –
Friday, November 22 @ 2:00 p.m.
New School Draft Floor Plan. Les Rowland, Architect, DesignArc, reviewed a preliminary site plan
and floor plan for the new Brookings elementary school. He plans to return to the November
meeting with more details for review. Final plans are to be completed by February 2014 with
bidding in March.
The Committee noted the following issues during the meeting:
• There was concern that the proposed exterior design did not create a sense of full inclusion,
particularly the special education wing entrance. Students should enter at the same
location as their peers; otherwise, it doesn’t send an inclusive message. Some students
may not be in that wing and it’s a long distance to travel to other areas.
• Locate accessible parking spaces in closer proximity to the front entrance.
• An accessible car drop should be located in closest proximity possible of the main front
entrance
• Will there be a committee established to develop the playground design? Gametime
Systems was suggested for the equipment. Brian Lueders has indicated the surface
material will be Poured In Place (PIP), similar to Camelot.
• Family restrooms need to be included in every wing.
• There is no stage or lockers in this facility.
• Plan review will include room dimensions, mounting heights, signage specs, casework, and
other special exterior & interior elements.
• The Committee & City ADA Coordinator will need to be involved in all stages of plan review
including a final compliance check at the completion of the project.
Outdoor Adventure Center Plans. The Committee reviewed the revised plans for the Center.
Miller noted one kitchenette was removed and the other was modified with accessible cupboards.
Hartenhoff-Crooks suggested an adjustable table/counter design for the bow countertops.
Report on Statewide ADA Meeting. Gjerde, Kuechenmeister, Miller, Hartenhoff-Crooks, Bayer
and Thornes attended the first statewide meeting in Sioux Falls on October 10th. Topics discussed
included providing resources for making temporary events accessible for the State’s 125th
Anniversary, call for art submittals for the April 4th Art-Ability event in Sioux Falls, generic reprint of
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the parking brochure with new standards, “Interacting with people with disabilities” brochure,
State Fair’s requirement of a special “Handicapped” parking permit beyond the state placard, Sioux
Falls Diversity Conference on November 13th, and Emergency Management plans in other
communities. The group plans to meet in person twice a year and have conference calls twice a
year.
Update on Durable Medical Equipment Drive. Thornes contacted the City Attorney to advise
that the Committee had recently held another medical equipment drive collecting used
equipment to be reused locally and regionally. In 2007 the Committee gave the equipment to
Easter Seals of SD who then placed the items with individuals. However, Easter Seals is no
longer active in SD, so the Committee was going to utilize the SD Cares Organization. However,
the Committee had some problems with that group. So, the Committee would like to distribute
equipment directly to individuals AND to area service providers (Social Services, Voc Rehab,
etc.).
Without the Easter Seals organization, the City has some liability exposure issues. In response,
the City Attorney prepared a short waiver that is signed by the recipient individual or agency
that itemizes items received and states the Committee has no knowledge of history or
workmanship of the item and removes liability from future of the provides a disclaimer.
Receipt, Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk
By my signature below, on behalf of myself, my heirs, next of kin, successors in interest, assigns,
personal representatives, and agents I hereby:
1. Understand that the equipment provided to me is “used equipment” and the City of Brookings
cannot warrant its condition;
2. Accept for use, as is, the equipment listed on this form;
3. Since the equipment is used, I understand it will be provided without written warranties or
manufacturer’s instructions. With respect to the selection or maintenance of the equipment or the
failure to provide any warnings, directions or instructions as to safety or the use of the equipment, I
assume the obligation to determine how to use the equipment safely and assume all risks when I use
the equipment described below; and
4. I waive any claim or cause of action against and release and hold harmless from liability
the City of Brookings and its officers, employees, agents and volunteers for any liability for injuries to
my person or property resulting from my use of the equipment; and agree to hold harmless the City of
Brookings and its officers, employees, agents and volunteers for any claims, causes of action, or liability
to any other person arising from the condition of the equipment or my use of the equipment.
Description of the equipment subject to this Waiver of Liability:
I have read this Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk, fully understand its terms and have signed it
freely and voluntarily without any inducement, assurance, or guarantee being made to me and intend
my signature to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by
law.
(signature) Date
Name (printed)
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However, the Committee asked if the process could be simplified to get items in the hands of
people who need them and not be tied up with forms. The City Attorney said the waivers are
not necessary provided the equipment is sound and the people know how to use it, so waivers
are not absolutely necessary. They are viewed as a means to clarify the responsibility of people
for the activity—in this case—the equipment they are receiving. Since this equipment does not
come with instructions, which always clarify the responsibility of the users, the waivers were
suggested so recipients know they must use at their own risk.
There was Committee consensus that a simple waiver would be acceptable in the process.
Miller would like to develop a brochure to promote equipment donation and equipment
availability that would be distributed at the ReStore, state offices, nursing homes, hospital and
various locations throughout the city. A poster at state office entries, nursing homes and other
locations was also suggested. Social media, the government channel and city website could
also be utilized.
ADA Leadership Network Agreement Renewal. The Committee agreed to continue its
relationship with the ADA Leadership Network and submit a renewal agreement and work plan for
2013-14.
Public Education Subcommittee Report. Gjerde said the subcommittee requested child care
informational material from the ADA Center for distribution to the 13 local daycare and preschool
centers.
Another project they are working on is to provide information to local sign companies regarding
appropriate parking accessibility language. They asked what materials would be most helpful.
Thornes recommended the current parking brochure. Heylens will contact Outlaw Graphics.
Thornes will contact Banners Plus.
The subcommittee is developing a formal public education schedule to layer the messages.
The Committee discussed how to educate the public about sidewalk and curb ramp snow removal.
A utility bill stuffer in January or February was suggested. Other means include a letter to the
editor, public service announcement on radio, website announcement, social media and the
government access channel.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report
• Boys & Girls Club Plans. Since the October 2nd special meeting, Thornes spoke with the
architect and the following additional changes were made to the plans: accessible kitchen sink,
signage placement throughout the building, and placement of the automatic door opening
push buttons on a pedestal rather than the side of the building.
• McCrory Gardens Visitor Center. Miller and Thornes conducted a ADA compliance review of
the Center on October 9, 2013 and found the following items were corrected with the
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exception of one minor issue with the men’s restroom door. University personnel assured
that the remaining item will be addressed in the near future.
Interior Door Force ALL CORRECTED EXCEPT MEN’S RESTROOM.
CORRECTION: Several interior doors throughout the building exceeded the maximum 5 lbf allowed.
Adjust or replace closers
Install lighter doors
Install power-assisted or automated door openers
“404.2.9 Door and Gate Opening Force. Fire doors shall have a minimum opening force allowable by
the appropriate administrative authority. The force for pushing or pulling open a door or gate other
than fire doors shall be as follows:
1. Interior hinged doors and gates: 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.
2. Sliding or folding doors: 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.
These forces do not apply to the force required to retract latch bolts or disengage other devices that
hold the door or gate in a closed position.
Advisory 404.2.9 Door and Gate Opening Force. The maximum force pertains to the continuous
application of force necessary to fully open a door, not the initial force needed to overcome the inertia
of the door. It does not apply to the force required to retract bolts or to disengage other devices used
to keep the door in a closed position.” 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Curb Ramp Location - CORRECTED
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 - CORRECTED
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 - CORRECTED
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 - CORRECTED
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.
• Proposed article on Playgrounds for South Dakota Municipal League. Geoff Ames said he’d be
willing to provide an abstract or executive summary with a link to the full article. However,
he was waiting until the results of the National Center on Accessibility’s longitudinal study
completed. A webinar was on the report was cancelled due to the government shut down. It
has been rescheduled for the following dates:
Webinar on Accessible Play Surfaces - November 7, 2:30 – 4:00 (ET). In this session,
Board staff and a representative from the National Center on Accessibility (NCA) will
present results from a recently completed study on playground surfaces that assessed
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how well various types of surface systems, including engineered wood fiber, poured in
place rubber, and rubber tiles, perform over time. NCA conducted this research with
funding from the Board. (A webinar on accessible prescription drug labels previously
scheduled for this date has been postponed.)
Webinar on Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas - November 8, 2:30 –
4:00 (ET). In September, the Board issued accessibility guidelines for outdoor areas
developed by the federal government, including trails, picnic and camping areas, and
beach access routes. In this webinar, Board representatives will review scoping and
technical requirements of the new guidelines which will become effective as part of the
Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards on November 25.
• Brookings Empowerment Program. Thornes asked if anyone was familiar with the organization.
She recently heard they were building accessible ramps for people in need within Brookings.
Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar
∗ June 15-18, 2014 – ADA Symposium in Denver
Meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes