HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2017_04_28
Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
April 28, 2017
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday,
April 28, 2017 in the Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present:
Shawn Minor, Dave Miller, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Lonnie Bayer, Nadine Gjerde, Sylvia Buboltz, Matt
Simet. Ruth Harper and Jessie Kuechenmeister were absent. City ADA Coordinator Shari Thornes was also
present.
Gjerde called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. The agenda was adopted as printed. The February
minutes were approved.
Next meeting: The Committee will not meet on Friday afternoons this summer due to vacations and
weekend activities. The Committee scheduled meetings on Thursday, May 18 from 10-noon and Friday,
June 22 from 10-noon.
City policy regarding motorized vehicles on public trails, paths, and sidewalks. The City Park and Recreation
and Police Departments submitted the following ordinance for City Council review. Thornes requested this
item be delayed and reviewed because, as written, it violates the ADA. Public entities must allow people with
disabilities who use personal mobility devices into all areas where the public is allowed to go. Simet
researched other cities personal mobility device policies and found information to share. Thornes will draft
new proposed language and email to the committee for review.
Ordinance
An Ordinance Prohibiting the Use Of Motorized Vehicles On Sidewalks, Recreational Trails
And Bike Paths In The City Of Brookings, South Dakota
Sec. 82-725. Motorized vehicles prohibited on sidewalks, recreational trails and bike
paths. No person shall drive any motorized vehicle or motorized scooter, moped or
similar motorized device upon the sidewalks, recreational trails and bike paths of the City,
or permit any such motorized vehicle to be driven or remain on any sidewalk,
recreational trail or bike path. The following vehicles shall be exempt from the provisions
of this chapter: vehicles used by city personnel to perform an authorized public service or
carry out any authorized city function, including vehicles used by public parking and
public safety personnel.
Sexauer Park Bathroom Plans. Last year, Thornes and the Committee met with Park officials to review
bathroom plans for Sexauer Park. Park staff had planned to do some design work in-house and work with a
local design firm; however, the cost exceeded expectations. They are now considering a public restroom
prefabricated “kit” as a more economical option. Thornes and the Committee reviewed the draft plans and
noted items needing more information or items with concerns:
Confirm doorway clear opening width.
Are the pictures of current facilities exactly what the building will look like?
Provide pictures of the interior/exterior door handle and locking mechanism. The specifications call
for “push button design” locks. Are there “lever-style” lock available?
Is the drinking fountain recessed or does it provide skirting below to be compliant with ADA
“protruding objects” requirements?
There was concern with the proposed location of the floor drain because it is in the circulation
path/radius and in the area of transfer to the toilet. Clarification of the design and slope of all floor
drains is needed.
Close-up pictures of the showerhead and controls were requested in order ascertain if the design is
compliant with ADA operable parts standards.
Detailed drawing of the shower bench to include exact measurements and mounting heights. The
specs do not address these details.
Provide additional detail and pictures of the toilet paper dispenser design and placement.
Programming concern: The Committee questioned requiring payment for use of the showers. Are
the showers timed? What happens when it stops? How would someone with a disability go and get
more change? They recommended either not charging for showers or add the cost into the campsite
rental fee.
What is the proposed material and design for the path of travel into the facility?
Technical assistance for local hotel. Minor had the opportunity to check out the new hotel in town. He
toured the facility, including accessible rooms and the pool. Rick Schmidt is the General Manager and is very
willing to have the Committee tour the facility and provide suggestions. Miller, Gjerde, Minor and Thornes
volunteered to tour the facility. Minor will schedule the meeting.
2017 ADA anniversary celebration and durable medical equipment promotion. Former committee member
Kathy Heylens was the lead on this project and always coordinated all the details. Heylens dropped off her
notes earlier this week. A new lead person is needed to coordinate this event. No one knew the date of the
last concert this summer. Several were available to attend if held on July 16, but the 23rd might be
problematic. No one volunteered to take the lead responsibility. Gjerde will contact Heylens to see if she
would be willing to continue this effort. The Committee needs to decide soon whether to hold this event,
finalize the date, and invite the Mayor to participate and develop his talking points.
The Committee wishes to promote the durable medical equipment again this year. They will discuss this in
further detail at the May meeting.
Updates/Reports:
Discussion and action on ABLE Awards, assignments, and event details. The Committee discussed the
following possible nominees: Brian Gatzke’s mixed use building at 1300 6th Street, SDSU Football Stadium,
movie theater, Brookings HyVee Human Resources Department, and Dakota Prairie Elementary School. The
Committee selected Brian Gatzke, Sixth Street Center & Condominiums /1300 6th Street and Brookings HyVee
Food Store Human Resources Department.
Pictures & Press Release Assignments:
o HyVee- Buboltz will interview the winner and write the press release/poster. Someone is
needed to take the pictures.
o Gatzke – Hartenhoff-Crooks and Minor volunteered.
Presentations:
o Kuechenmeister will present and Buboltz will be back-up if Gjerde isn’t available.
Date: Wednesday, July 19th from 5-7 p.m.
Location – McCrory Gardens Visitor Center
Public Education Subcommittee:
Emergency Management & Accessible Design Workshop – Gjerde updated that the presenter, Rich
Sternadori, Education Coordinator, Great Plains ADA Center, is developing the draft agenda and
learning objectives for the workshop. The proposed workshop date is September 28, allowing the
27th and 29th for travel. The only expenses the Committee will have to cover will be the advertising, a
$300 stipend, and the hotel room.
Flash Drives – The Committee discussed the types of information to load on the flash drives and
potential audiences (landlords, businesses, service animals, etc.). They recommended ordering a
smaller quantity and reorder as needed. A custom image is still needed for the flash drive. Thornes
will review the 2017 budget with the executive committee and make a recommendation.
Housing – At the last meeting, it was suggested a topic the subcommittee may want to consider as a
priority is educating landlords about emotional support animals. No report on this item.
City ADA Coordinator
Performing Arts Center – The Committee’s letter regarding accessibility concerns with the theaters and
parking was sent to SDSU and city officials.
Independent Living Services request for panel speakers – Thornes was contacted by Jenny Hallan,
Director of Independent Living Services with Independent Living Choices, with a request for someone
to speak with two of ILC’s Brookings disability support groups about how the city of Brookings
supports individuals with disabilities. Buboltz volunteered.
City Project Updates:
Raised garden beds – One raised roll-under style and one with the bench are still available.
Committee members were asked to help promote the beds and recruit people with disabilities to rent
them.
Library parking lot – Thornes met with the Library Director and Engineer to plan for redesign of the
accessible lots for next year.
Activity Center parking lot – The lot will be restriped; however, some of the accessible spaces are
incorrectly signed or designed. Thornes is working on a design.
Hillcrest parking lot and other park and recreation lots - Several of the park’s parking lots need
restriping and accessible parking signage. Thornes will be working with the Parks Director on getting
these done this summer.
2018 budget process – Thornes will need to finalized the 2018 funding request by May 31. The City
Manager has indicated that departments must submit level-funding requests, unless a new project
warrants an increase. The Committee received $3500 per year and hasn’t received an increase in
many years.
Resources - Thornes asked the Committee discuss a distribution and marketing plan for the remaining
accessible parking brochures and windshield flyers for illegible cars parked in accessible spaces. She
also circulated a past project of the committee, which is an employment booklet highlighting
employer/employee success stories. She also have several ADAAG/ADA Standards Manual sets
available for distribution.
Vacancies – The student position is still vacant and Les Rowland’s position is also officially vacant.
Thornes will advertise both positions.
Mayor’s Coffee with Chair & Vice Chair - Mayor Corbett is inviting all chairs and vice chairs to the
annual City Volunteer Leadership Coffee with the Mayor on May 17. The goal is to provide all groups
with information on city issues and projects and seek input. This will also be an opportunity for each
group to bring forward an issue or concern regarding your respective groups. He is requesting each
group provide a brief overview of the board projects and activities over the past year and what is
planned for 2017. Gjerde and Kuechenmeister will be invited to participate.
Mayor attending full committee meeting – Mayor Corbett plans to attend a meeting of every city
board, committee and commission. Thornes will coordinate with the executive committee on the
date.
Brookings Empowerment – October 2nd Mental Health Panel - Brookings Empowerment will be
holding another mental health panel discussion this year on Monday, October 2nd in the McCrory
Gardens Visitor Center.
Geoff Graff - Committee alumni Geoff Graff and his wife, Shalini Low-Nam, are in town this week and
hope to have an opportunity to visit committee members.
Convention Visitor’s Bureau Transportation Pages - Thornes met with CVB officials earlier this week to
discuss their new transportation pages and suggested they include information about accessible
parking and other accessibility features. Thornes asked if anyone has seen cities that do this well.
Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar
May 4 City Volunteer Appreciation, 5-7 pm, McCrory Gardens Visitor Center
May 14-17 National ADA Symposium
July 23 ADA Anniversary Ice Cream Social, Band Concert, Pioneer Park
Sept 10-12 Center for Disabilities Symposium 2017, Sioux Falls
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes