Disability Advisory Commission

City of Fresno 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 www.fresno.gov Meeting Minutes - Final 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, January 9, 2018 10:00 AM City Hall, Second Floor, Meeting Room A (2165) Regular Meeting 1. Call To Order Chair Reyes Acosta called the meeting to order at 10:11am. Member Flores arrived at 10:25am. Present 7 - Chairperson Frances Reyes Acosta, Board Member Ken Elvington, Board Member Heather Flores, Board Member Dr. Jenelle Pitt, Vice Chair Mary Beth Randall, Board Member Susan Coulter, and Board Member Norman Norwood Absent 1 - Board Member (ex officio) Carlos Duarte 2. Approval of Agenda On motion of Vice Chair Randall, seconded by Board Member Pitt, the above item was . The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chairperson Reyes Acosta, Board Member Elvington, Board Member Pitt, Vice Chair Randall, Board Member Coulter and Board Member Norwood Absent: 1 - Board Member (ex officio) Duarte and Board Member Flores 3. Approval of Minutes City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2018 Commission 18-0082 Approval of the Disability Advisory Commission Minutes from December 12, 2017 On motion of Vice Chair Randall, seconded by Board Member Coulter, that the above Action Item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chairperson Reyes Acosta, Board Member Elvington, Board Member Pitt, Vice Chair Randall, Board Member Coulter and Board Member Norwood Absent: 1 - Board Member (ex officio) Duarte and Board Member Flores 4. Member Reports and Comments Member Coulter reported that she recently attended the Voters Choice Act meeting in Madera County, where community feedback was provided and seemed to be well received. She spoke with Charity at RICV who stated they are hoping to have in Fresno County in the future. She further reported that she has signed up for the RICV Community Leadership Academy (CLA) and is looking forward to what she will learn. Member Reyes Acosta encouraged members of the community to take part in the RICV CLA if they have an opportunity. She also encouraged the community to continue to comment to the FCC about Net Neutrality issues, stating that the CA Attorney General is trying to maintain neutrality and there are two pieces of legislation in the Senate responding to the repeal. 5. Secretary's Report Secretary Mulhall reported that the City is currently updating their emergency plans, in particular the Continuity of Operations Plans. On January 17 at 8:30am will be an Accessible Fresno training on ADA Compliance for restaurants, put on in partnership with SCORE Central Valley at the Small Business Administration. On January 17 at 11am Vocations Plus Connections, Inc will host a Law Enforcement Town Hall to bring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and police officers together for discussion and connection. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2018 Commission Next month there will be a presentation by the Airports Division. 6. Unscheduled Communication / Public Comments Yonas Paulos, Disabled Veterans and homeless advocate, addressed the commission. He shared that he brought a book "Dispatches from the War Zone" if anyone is interested. He is interested in assisting the City with the Points in Time survey and will be attending those meetings. He still attends the Housing Authority meetings and is looking to also provide representation at the Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging. Sarah Harris, California Council of the Blind and RICV Bridges Youth Transition Coordinator, addressed the commission. Bridges will have a Flapjack fundraiser on April 21. CCB will have a meeting on Friday, January 12 at 6pm at Denny's. Harris expressed gratitude to Member Coulter for her comments at the Voter meeting. Larry Wanger, new RICV Executive Director addressed the commission and provided an introduction of his background. He is pleased to hear about steps that the Police Department is taking as this is a nationwide effort. He further encouraged the DAC to stay involved with this. 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. 7. Action Items 18-0081 Approval of the Corrected 2018 DAC Schedule City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2018 Commission On motion of Board Member Flores, seconded by Board Member Elvington, that the above Action Item be approved as amended, further correcting the Transportation meeting dates to reflect August 7 and December 11. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chairperson Reyes Acosta, Board Member Elvington, Board Member Flores, Board Member Pitt, Vice Chair Randall, Board Member Coulter and Board Member Norwood 8. Presentations 18-0083 Update on MTC Interior ADA Remodel FAX Capital Development Specialist Leena Mendoza provided an update on the progress to address accessibility inside the Manchester Transit Center. The project had been delayed because they went through two rounds of unsuccessful bidding. Currently they are in the design phase and are focusing on the restroom accessibility. The overall design should provide more visibility for the customer service staff. Some of the other elements include new tile and lighting. Harris asked if FAX has taken into consideration contrasting colors, as the background color of walls can be important for individuals who have low vision. Mendoza offered to connect with with Harris about the color choices. Member Norwood asked if they were planning to have power assisted doors for the restrooms and exterior, both of which he recommends. Mendoza stated that staff at the site will have a button to unlock the restrooms for patrons. Not sure if they will have the power doors but if not, the doors will swing both ways and/or in compliance with the weight requirements. She stated that they currently do not have exterior doors, just a sliding gate-like area to lock it when closed. Member Norwood asked if they had been aware of an issue with overturned shopping carts at bus stops being used for seating and blocking sidewalk access. Mendoza responded that they have increased stop maintenance and if called will respond immediately to situations like this. She encouraged collective community reporting on these kinds of issues to City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2018 Commission improve service to everyone. Member Norwood spoke to the accessibility of hand dryers, particularly the new Dyson air blade kind. He noted that they can be an issue to reach into, depending on the size. It is also a challenge to reach towels when there is a trashcan placed directly underneath. Norwood offered to assist with reviewing the upgrades and to go on site as needed for testing. Veronica Hernandez shared an incident in which she had pulled a cord to be let off the bus. The bus driver stopped, didn't see anyone stand, so did not call out the stop and started driving again. Hernandez did not stand because it was not called out, thinking it was a red light, and then was brought much further than her intended stop. Mendoza noted that she will convey this information. Member Norwood stated that he would like to see the City provide trash bags to the homeless, noting that since the grocery bag law came into effect there seems to be more trash and broken glass on the sidewalks. Mulhall suggested that homelessness and related efforts be an agenda item at a future meeting. 9. Subcommittee Reports 9-A. Outreach Subcommittee An Outreach subcommittee meeting was held earlier this same day, during which a task force focused on the Media Resource Guide was formed. If members of the community are interested in participating on the task force please notify the chair or Secretary after the meeting. The goal is to find an intern and professionals in the community who are willing to work in the project. Ideally this will be an online guide for community benefit organizations to use to know how to best contact the media outlets. 9-B. Transportation Subcommittee No report. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2018 Commission Member Elvington stated that in Los Angeles they have priority paratransit for people with disabilities who are employed as well as for certain kinds of medical appointments. He suggests that FAX Handy Ride consider implementing something like this as well. The floor was opened for public comment. Sarah Harris addressed the commission stating that she has heard reports that the transfer card and change cards are not printing which card it is. She also noted that there are inconsistencies with expectations of arrival times to destinations. Sometimes she is very early and other times not. Harris was encouraged to file a formal complaint, not just to report it over the phone. Phone call complaints are logged as informal inquiries and do not carry the same weight as written formal complaints. Member Flores asked if the forms are available on the buses, as well as the compliment forms. Mulhall responded that they are both supposed to be available on the busses. Glenna Gammel addressed the commission stating that Carlos has said to call him directly when there are issues. Mulhall responded that that is a good option too, however the written formal complaints create a tracking mechanism and can lead toward change. Adjournment On motion of Board Member Elvington, seconded by Vice Chair Randall, the meeting was adjourned at 11:21 am. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chairperson Reyes Acosta, Board Member (ex officio) Duarte, Board Member Elvington, Board Member Flores, Board Member Pitt, Vice Chair Randall, Board Member Coulter and Board Member Norwood City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6 Disability Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2018 Commission The Disability Advisory Commission welcomes you to Meeting Room C (2120), 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