Commission on Disabilities

COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 3RD FLOOR Dominick Pangallo SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 Mayor 978-619-5630 MINUTES OF THE SALEM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES April 22, 2024 A meeting of the Salem Commission on Disabilities was held on April 22, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., via ZOOM, an online video conference call system in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023. Present on call were; Commissioners: Debra Lobsitz, Rebecca Christie, David Moisan, Kerry Neenan,, Ezekiel Holt, Mandee Spittle, Lisa Cammarata, ADA Coordinator, HR Director;, and Morgan Sax. Attendees: Darky Perez, Michael Mynkoop, Tom Moore, William Anderson, Red Line Café, and Adam Shoemaker Absent was, Commissoners Darren Black and Kate Zuraw. 1) Introductions/welcome Cammarata called the meeting to order at 4:39 p.m. and she extended a welcome to everyone. Cammarata took a roll call of attendance. 2) Approval of Meeting Minutes of March meeting: Minutes will be approved in next month’s meeting. 3) New Business a. Outdoor Dining i. Boston Burger Company 1. A representative from BBC joined and reviewed plans for outdoor dining while the commission viewed submitted pictures. 2. The Commission reviewed what steps the restaurant would take for those with vision and hearing impairments – the response was that they offer hospitality as best we can, take their time and manager will assist. 3. Discussed that there is ramp access in back of patio. 4. No picture of accessible table was submitted. Representative will send picture of accessible table, and he they use that as last resort when seating customers. 5. 1 out of 7 table is accessible, 15% 6. The Commission unanimously approved with conditions: picture of current table and then smaller accessible table to meet % requirements. ii. Couch Dog 1. A representative from Couch Dog (Adam Shoemaker) joined and reviewed plans for outdoor dining while the commission viewed submitted pictures. 2. The Commission reviewed what steps the restaurant would take for those with vision and hearing impairments – the response was that 1  they are committed to reading the menu to anyone who may need that option, as well as having pen and paper on hand to those who may need, 3. No further questions from the Commission. 4. The Commission unanimously approved with no conditions. iii. Fountain Place 1. A representative from Fountain Place (Tom Moore) joined and reviewed plans for outdoor dining while the commission viewed submitted pictures. 2. The Commission reviewed that he is only at 9% accessibility tables, Mr. Moore will purchase another table. 3. The Commission reviewed that in the past Mr. Moore had used tap boards around the perimeter of his outdoor patio and he confirmed he would make sure to put those up again. 4. The Commission unanimously approved with conditions to purchase another accessible table and put up tap boards (Lisa going to email DPW director for tap boards). iv. Oneill’s 1. A representative from Fountain Place (William Anderson) joined and reviewed plans for outdoor dining while the commission viewed submitted pictures. 2. Mr. Anderson detailed they would be replacing tables and umbrellas – was advised when looking at options to review universal design and try to avoid having just one table for accessibility. 3. Lisa going to look into jersey barriers on either side of parking spots at end of patio. 4. The Commission reviewed what steps the restaurant would take for those with vision and hearing impairments – the response was that they offer QR menus for those with aids on their phone to be able to use as well as server assistance. 5. The Commission unanimously approved with conditions of replacing tables and umbrellas that meet ADA compliance. v. Red Line Café 1. A representative from Red Line Cafe joined and reviewed plans for outdoor dining while the commission viewed submitted pictures. 2. Detailed that there were going to be 5 tables total, 2 chairs. The distance between the two rows of tables is 60 inches, while table to table is 50 inches. The 50 inches between each table does not account for chair space. 3. The commission reviewed that they do not have an accessible table as the legs of each table are angled– Red Line to purchase a chair and send invoice to Morgan. 4. The Commissioners expressed concern with some of the spacing so Commissioner Mandee Spittle offered to review ordinance and will go meet with owners of Redline Café tomorrow (April 23). 5. Approved with conditions of purchasing accessible table, placing tap boards and reviewing use of space with Commissioner Mandee Spittle. vi. Village Tavern 1. No representative from Village Tavern was in attendance. b. Request for funding Salem Willows Phase II 2  i. Robyn Lee presented the plans for the Willows Phase II construction activities. ii. Ms. Lee presented cost breakdown of overall funding they are looking for and invited the Commission to review and see what they could offer to fund. iii. Commission asked for more specific break down on what Robyn is looking for in regard to accessibility. iv. Robyn request that she be able to attend the May meeting with updated funding request. c. Request for Variance i. Michael Wynkoop came in front of the Commission to request a variance for sink requirement for new housing development. ii. Sink requirement is no deeper than 6 inches, they are requesting 10 inch sinks for units with option in lease to swap out sink within 30 days. iii. The development will change sink for any unit at any time if situation changes for tenant. iv. Mr. Wynkoop confirmed that there will be 6” sinks on site for replacement requests. v. David Moison made a motion to approve the variance request, Becky Christie seconded the motion and the Commission approved unanimously. 4) Old Business i. No old business on Agenda for April 22 as Commission met with Outdoor dining applicants to review their applications. 5) Announcements/Questions/General discussion/ideas for future meetings 6) Next meeting: May 21, 2024. 7) Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission on Disabilities this evening, Mandee Spittle moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by David Moison. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion was carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:29p.m. Respectfully submitted, Morgan E. Sax Commission Clerk Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25 and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033 3