HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisMinutes_2017_07_27Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities
July 27, 2017
A meeting of the Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities was held at 10:00 a.m. on
Thursday, July 27, 2017 in the Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members
present: Ruth Harper, Jessie Kuechenmeister, Dave Miller, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Lonnie Bayer, Sylvia
Buboltz, Matt Simet, Nadine Gjerde, and Taylor Wold. Laura Crooks and Shawn Minor were absent. A
number of guests from ADVANCE were present.
Taylor Wold was welcomed to the Committee! Laura Crooks is also a new member on the Committee,
but was unable to attend this month.
Kuechenmeister called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The agenda was adopted as printed. A motion
was made by Bayer, seconded by Miller, to approve the May minutes. All present voted yes; motion
carried.
Next meeting: Thursday, August 31 at 10 a.m.
ABLE Awards. The 2017 ABLE Award event was held on Wednesday, July 19, from 5-7 p.m. at the McCrory
Gardens Visitor Center. This year’s winners were Brian Gatzke, Sixth Street Center & Condominiums /1300 6th
Street and Brookings HyVee Food Store Human Resources Department. Mayor Corbett and Kuechenmeister
presented the awards. It was a record turnout with at least 200 in attendance. Suggestions for next year
from the various groups have included a “speakers meeting” ahead of time to work out presentation details
and room arrangement changes to better accommodate a large crowd. Harper suggested a designated place
for photographs and assigning a photographer.
ADA Anniversary Celebration Event. In recognition of the ADA Anniversary, the Committee hosted an ice
cream social for the 600+ concert attendees at the Brookings Summer Band Concert in Pioneer Park on
July 23. Miller, Bayer, Buboltz, Harper and her husband Larry Rogers, Kuechenmeister, City Manager Jeff
Weldon, Mayor Keith Corbett, and Thornes scooped ice cream. The Mayor spoke regarding the importance
of the ADA, ABLE award winners, and the Committee’s efforts. Former member Kathy Heylens always
took care of the event. The group discussed the need to create a written process and checklist.
Additions for next year will be coolers to keep the ice cream from melting and a committee banner for the
table.
Durable Medical Equipment Drive. Miller and Bayer said we have plenty of walkers and crutches, but still
need shower chairs and wheelchairs. The committee discussed a social media campaign and a feature story
in the newspaper.
Technical Assistance for local hotel. Tabled until next month when Minor is present.
Public Education Subcommittee | Emergency Management & Accessible Design Workshop. The
Committee will sponsor training on accessible design and emergency management/preparedness with
Richard Sternadori, Great Plains ADA Center, as the speaker. The target audience include official officials,
Fire, Police, first responders, County, SDSU Architecture, Brookings County Pandemic Planning and
Coordination Committee (PPCC). The proposed date was September 28, 2017; however, Committee
discussed the timeline and agreed that it would be best to move it to 2018.
Review goals and priorities for remainder of 2017. The Committee reviewed the status of the 2017 goals and
made adjustments.
City ADA Coordinator’s Report.
Sexauer Campground Bathrooms – The City has decided against a kit design and has hired JLG Architects
to prepare plans for a new facility. The Committee will review plans at the August meeting.
Parking issues:
Brookings Activity Center parking lot – Thornes worked with the City Engineer and Park & Recreation
Director to redesign the accessible parking space design in front of the facility. The previous layout
had spaces that were not wide enough and some were inaccurately marked.
Library parking –Thornes reviewed the current parking at the Library for possible accessibility
improvements.
Farmer’s Market accessible parking - The market organizers are interested in adding more accessible
parking. Thornes recommends use of temporary signage to add spaces. The City Street Department
has four signs, but suggests the Market purchase their own. The Committee discussed purchasing
signs for use for special events.
Downtown @ Sundown accessible parking – The Committee discussed ideas for additional accessible
parking. They recommended contacting the Brookings Register regarding use of their lot for special
event parking.
Summer Arts Festival accessible parking – Thornes said the City received a complaint regarding the
lack of accessible parking at this year’s event. The Committee will reach out to the event organizers
to discuss ways to increase parking in 2018.
Carnegie Open House – Committee members are invited to attend the private open house event on
August 10th.
New Election Automark machines – The County is purchasing new accessible voting machines that the City
and School will be able to use in their elections.
SDCCD director retiring – Shelly Pfaff, longtime SD Coalition for Citizens who have Disabilities, is retiring.
The Rocky Mountain ADA Center Director position vacant and they are currently interviewing for the
position.
2018 National ADA Symposium, Pittsburgh, June 17-20, registration open January 5
ADA Coordinator Training – KS – October 2 & 3
Nathan Ziegler was hired as the new SDSU Director of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Access.
City Diversity Training – The City is hosting its first ever diversity and inclusion training on August 10th. It is
mandatory for management personnel. Additional sessions will be offered on November 30th.
Correspondence/Announcements/ Calendar
Sept 10-12 Center for Disabilities Symposium 2017, Sioux Falls
December 7 Mayor’s Holiday Party
Meeting adjourned at noon.
Submitted by Shari Thornes