Disability Advisory Commission

City of Fresno 2600 Fresno Street 2nd Floor, Meeting Room A (2165) Meeting Minutes - Final Fresno, CA 93720 Disability Advisory Commission Chairperson Frances Reyes Acosta Board Member (ex officio) Carlos Duarte Board Member Ken Elvington Board Member Heather Flores Board Member Dr. Jenelle Pitt Board Member Mary Beth Randall Board Member Susan Coulter Board Member Norman Norwood, Jr. DAC Secretary Shannon M. Mulhall Tuesday, September 12, 2017 10:00 AM City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Regular Meeting 1. Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 10:04am. Present 7 - Chairperson Frances Reyes Acosta, Board Member (ex officio) Carlos Duarte, Board Member Ken Elvington, Board Member Heather Flores, Vice Chair Mary Beth Randall, Board Member Susan Coulter, and Board Member Norman Norwood Excused 1 - Board Member Dr. Jenelle Pitt 2. Approval of Minutes On motion of Vice Chair Randall, seconded by Board Member Elvington, the above item was approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chairperson Reyes Acosta, Board Member Elvington, Board Member Flores, Vice Chair Randall, Board Member Coulter and Board Member Norwood Excused: 1 - Board Member Pitt 3. Member Reports and Comments City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 12, 2017 Commission Chair Reyes Acosta congratulated community Member Glenna Gammel for receiving the Community Advocacy Award at the Resource for Independence Central Valley Dinner. Chair Reyes Acosta announced that RICV would soon be hosting their annual self advocacy conference. For more information contact Mai Tue Yang. Vice Chair Randall shared that October 6 - 8 there would be a variety of events hosted by the California Council of the Blind, including a walk at 9am, storytime at Barnes & Noble, and a book signing by a local author. Member Flores shared that LARCS is hosting their "bundles" event, collecting blankets and coats to benefit the Arc Pantry. for more information visit www.larcfresno.org. She further announced that the Wayfinders Black & White Gala would be occurring on September 22. For more information contact the FSU Wayfinders program. Member Coulter shared that there is a new law related to over the counter hearing aids which will make them cheaper. The next set is for the FDA to set up guidelines, but this is a big step forward. She noted that most insurances do not pay fully for hearing aids and the Hearing Loss Association of America is actively advocating for this. She further shared that Deaf Awareness Week is approaching; for information about events see the flier or visit www.dhhsc.org. ID17-1271 Approval of the Disability Advisory Commission Minutes from August 8, 2017 On motion of Vice Chair Randall, seconded by Board Member Elvington, that the above Action Item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chairperson Reyes Acosta, Board Member Elvington, Board Member Flores, Vice Chair Randall, Board Member Coulter and Board Member Norwood Excused: 1 - Board Member Pitt 4. Secretary's Report Secretary Mulhall reported that long range planning is in need of task force City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 12, 2017 Commission participants for two new area plans. Interested individuals should contact Mulhall for more information. Mulhall shared that the city-county Joint Access and Functional Needs Work Group hosted guest speakers from the California Office of Emergency Management and the Office of Access and Functional Needs. They provided a case study of the Oroville Spillway incident with an emphasis on lessons learned sheltering people with access and functional needs. Mulhall stated that during the next meeting she hopes to be able to provide an update to the Facilities Transition Plan. Former DAC member Tiffany Potter has been appointed to the California Commission on Disability Access (CCDA), and is the first representative from the Central Valley to sit on the statewide board. Fresno will be the host of one of their quarterly meetings in the new year. 5. Unscheduled Communication / Public Comments Glenna Gammel addressed the commission to share that she recently went to an orthopedic Center where they have heavy doors and it is challenging to get in and out. Kenny Claussel, Valley Center for the Blind President and California Council for the Blind member, addressed the commission to share that on 10/14 they will host a run-walk at Woodward Park, in lieu of the typical White Cane Day events. The event is $30 to participate and more information is available at valleycenterfortheblind.org Stephanie Crosby, newly appointed DSP&S Director at Fresno City College, introduced herself, sharing that she looks forward to partnerships with commissioners. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 12, 2017 Commission This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons desiring to address the DAC on any matter not on this agenda (presentation are limited to 3 minutes per person). The DAC is generally legally prohibited from taking any action on information presented in unscheduled communication until subsequent meetings. 6. Action Items 6-A. ID17-1262 2017 DAC Achievement Awards Member Elvington motioned that the Airports Department under the leadership of Vicki Calderon and Melissa Garza-Perry be selected for the City Department Award. Member Randall seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Member Randall motioned that Brian Barr be selected for the City Employee Individual Award. Member Flores seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Member Randall motioned that John Bowers be selected for the Community Individual Award. Member Elvington seconded. Chair Reyes Acosta recused herself from the vote. The motion passed unanimously. Member Elvington motioned that Sunnyside Bicycles be selected for the Organization Award. Member Randall seconded. Chair Reyes Acosta and member Flores recused themselves from the vote. The motion passed unanimously. 6-B. ID17-1272 Review of DAC meeting schedule The commission discussed the current schedule, deciding to keep it as is. It was noted that Member Pitt has a conflict of schedule through December, however commissioners indicated a preference for her to continue to sit on City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 12, 2017 Commission the commission. On motion of Board Member Flores, seconded by Board Member Elvington, that the meeting schedule remain the same. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chairperson Reyes Acosta, Board Member Elvington, Board Member Flores, Vice Chair Randall, Board Member Coulter and Board Member Norwood Excused: 1 - Board Member Pitt 7. Subcommittee Reports 7-A. Outreach Subcommittee Chair Reyes Acosta reported that once they connect with Member Pitt, they will continue to progress with the project. 7-B. Transportation Subcommittee Member Duarte provided updates on the Bus Rapid Transit, also known as "Q." Currently buses are being tested and the stops are still under construction. Member Elvington asked for an update on the use of night hours on Handy Ride. Member Duarte shared that they average about eight riders per month using the night hours. It was suggested that Handy Ride do a push to promote the service. Member Randall suggested that Handy Ride add an announcement on the hold recording on the reservation line. Member Elvington asked how this has compared to fixed route ridership numbers during the same time frames. Member Duarte indicated he would get an estimate for next meeting. Member Flores asked if Fresno busses allow riders to pull a cord to stop anywhere along the route, not just the bus stops. Member Duarte stated that drivers have the ability to do this if they determine that it is safe to do so. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 12, 2017 Commission Chair Reyes Acosta asked if the City has marketing staff. Duarte responded that FAX has a staff member who does that, as well as their public affairs staff. Reyes Acosta suggested that they investigate free opportunities to advertise and sending a notification to all current Handy Ride users. Member Elvington asked if Handy Ride users have been notified of the extended hours, noting that he did not recall receiving notification. Duarte responded that the hours are available in the guide to ride and that they have created a tactile map that is available at the center for the blind and the Handy ride office. Duarte asked if a tactile map could be provided to the DOR office as well. Elvington agreed. Member Norwood asked if FAX was working with the Public Works street maintenance division on improving the sidewalks and routes to the bus stop. Secretary Mulhall responded in the affirmative, sharing about the Right of Way Transition Plan and the pending Bus Stop Transition Plan. Community Member Chenier Derrick suggested expanding to weekends. Member Duarte indicated he will look into it. Chair Reyes Acosta asked about a transportation grant that Fresno State had received. Mulhall stated that she will look into this. Adjournment On motion of Vice Chair Randall, seconded by Board Member Elvington, the Meeting adjourned at 11:23 am. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chairperson Reyes Acosta, Board Member (ex officio) Duarte, Board Member Elvington, Board Member Flores, Vice Chair Randall, Board Member Coulter and Board Member Norwood Excused: 1 - Board Member Pitt City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 12, 2017 Commission The Disability Advisory Commission welcomes you to Meeting Room A (2165N), located in City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, California 93721. The City of Fresno’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. The meeting room is physically accessible. If, as an attendee or participant at the meeting, you need additional accommodations such as interpreters, signers, assistive listening devices, or the services of a translator, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (559) 621-7650 or clerk@fresno.gov. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda and related staff reports are available at www.fresno.gov, as well as in the Office of the City Clerk. La Comision Consultiva de Discapacidudes le da la bienvenida al Cuarto de Junta A (2165N), ubicado en la Alcaldía (City Hall), do piso, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, California 93721. El objetivo de la Ciudad de Fresno es cumplir con la Ley de Americanos con Discapacidades (ADA) en todo aspecto. La sala para juntas es físicamente accesible. Si usted, como asistente o participante de la junta, necesita acomodaciones adicionales coma intérpretes, lenguaje de señas, aparatos auditivos, o los servicios de un traductor, por favor comuníquese con la Oficina del Secretario Municipal llamando al (559) 621-7650 o al clerk@fresno.gov. Para asegurarse de la disponibilidad. Se le recomienda llamar y hacer su petición por lo menos 48 horas antes de la junta. La agenda y los reportes de personal correspondientes están disponibles en el www.fresno.gov, o en la Oficina del Secretario Municipal. Tso Disability Advisory Commission tos txais koj rau Meeting Room A (2165N), nyob rau hauv City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, California 93721. Lub hom phiaj ntawm nroog Fresno yuav ua kom tau txhua yam raw li txoj cai American with Disabilities Act (ADA) kom fwm txhua tus. Lub rooj sab laj txhua tus yuav tsum muaj feem koom kom tau, txawm yog cov tuaj koom, cov muaj feem rau lub rooj sab laj, yuav tsum kom muaj kev pab rau sawv daws xws li txhais lus, piav tes, tej twj mloog pob ntseg los yog ib tug txhais lus, thov hu rau Office of the City Clerk ntawm (559) 621-7650 los sis clerk@fresno.gov. Yuav kom paub tseeb tias npaj tau rau koj, koj yuav tsum tau hais ua ntej 48 xuab moos ntawm lub rooj sab laj. Daim ntawv kom tswj thiab tej ntaub ntawv cov ua dej num yuav coj los ceeb tshaj muaj nyob rau ntawm www.fresno.gov, los sis ntawm Office of the City Clerk. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 7