Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 11/19/2013CITY OF GLENDALE—SPECIAL MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION AND COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES GLENDALE ADULT CENTER, 5970 W.BROWN STREET TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 19,2013 6:00 P.M. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert Portillo, Chair Mike Buettner, Vice Chair James Baribault Barbara R. Cole David Moreno MEMBERS ABSENT:John Krystek Samantha Johnson COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES MEMBERS PRESENT: Laura Hirsch, Chair John Fallucca, Vice Chair Samuel Hoerner Ryan Mander MEMBERS ABSENT: Alika Kumar Kelly Ausbun Diane Lesser OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Gregory,Park Manager Roger Boyer, Project Coordinator Lori Bye, Recreation Manager Gwen Benoit, Senior Secretary John McGovern, Recreation Accessibility Consultants, Inc. I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Hirsch called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Roll call was conducted and absences were noted. III. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR None. 1 IV. 2012-2013 PARKS AND RECREATION COMPLIANCE SURVEY: ADA ACCESS Mr. McGovern from Recreation Accessibility Consultants, Inc. gave a presentation on the results of the compliance audit required by the Department of Justice in regards to ADA access in parks and recreation facilities. Highlights of the presentation include the following: Who We Are o Recreation Accessibility Consultants,LLC o John McGovern—President o W-T Engineering—Family of Companies What We Do o Access Audits of Parks and Facilities o Transition Plans o Policy Reviews o Project Reviews o Inclusion Process What is the ADA? o Became effective January 26, 1992. o Provided comprehensive civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in the areas of Employment Public accommodations—nonprofits and businesses State and local government services Telecommunications Title II o Title II governs the parks and recreation services that are provided through cities, counties, and other local governments. o Access to existing sites and facilities. o Program access and inclusion. o New design and construction. o Audit based on 2010 Standards which went into effect on March 15,2012. Process for ADA,Audits o 92 sites — City Hall, Recreation Centers, skate courts, golf courses and linear, regional, community and neighborhood parks. o 3 trips—August 2012,November 2012 and February 2013 o February preliminary report was given to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and the Commission on People with Disabilities o Teams of two to measure and record o Multiple checklists used on each site to explain what is wrong and what is right. o 5,184 access deficits found,measured, recorded and picture taken. o More than 50,000 times access was done right. o Each facility and park has its own site report. o Checklists, deficits and images all hyperlinked to the site reports. o City of Glendale received all site reports and all checklists in digital and hardcopy formats. Our Recommendations o Phase 1: Fixes or projects that can be done with current staff and resources or retrofits of non-compliant new construction or alterations. o Phase 2: Recreation sites such as playground,pools, sports fields,golf and more. 2 o Phase 3: Sites not yet governed by a Standard, such as trails, or those which are complex, costly or involve a partner. Implementation of Recommendations o Capital Improvement Projects where feasible o Replacement and repaving schedules o General operations Mr.McGovern displayed photographs of examples of things to change, such as: Sand surfaces in playgrounds which lack a ramp/transfer system for a wheelchair. Picnic tables surrounded by grass which is not easily accessible due to uneven surfaces. Round doorknobs which must be changed to lever doorknobs. Single water fountain bowl which should be changed to a high-low bowl for access by the wheelchair bound. Restroom signs which are posted on the restroom door, but must be wall-mounted on the latch- side of the door. Mr. McGovern displayed photographs of examples of access done well, such as: Ample and compliant accessible parking. Playground with a poured-in-place surface which works well for accessibility and/or transfer. Accessible picnic tables. A perfect restroom. Mr. McGovern stated that the City of Glendale did very well in comparison to many cities in which he has performed compliance audits. Commissioner Cole inquired if all playgrounds were required to be fully compliant within a specific timeframe. Mr. McGovern stated that the standard is for one of every three existing playgrounds to include accessible components. Mr. McGovern suggested that accessibility standards can be implemented over a cross-section of parks and facilities. Mr. McGovern stated that it may be wiser for the City to use funds to create some areas of accessibility in a multitude of parks rather than utilizing all available funds to make one park completely accessible in all areas. Mr. McGovern explained that the Department of Justice understands that accessibility improvements are dictated by budget and feasibility. Mr. McGovern added that there is an ongoing federal mandate to address existing sites separately from new construction. Chair Portillo inquired if there were requirements for specific types of material to be used, for example for playground surfaces. Mr. McGovern replied in the negative but added that there are requirements for measurements and dimensions. Mr. McGovern stated, as an example, that there are at least three designs for accessible picnic tables and they are all very good. Commissioner Fallucca inquired if all of the audit recommendations had to be completed in total to fully satisfy the Department of Justice. Mr. McGovern stressed that because the City of Glendale has an implementation plan in place,the Department of Justice will be satisfied as long as the plan is utilized and tasks are completed as feasible. Mr. McGovern added that the City also has many accessibility features already which puts the City in a very good position. Mr. McGovern distributed an implementation and transition plan to the Commissioners. 3 Mr. Gregory discussed the factors in prioritizing the implementation of accessibility repairs/retrofits/improvements as follows: 1. Cost 2. Expertise, similarities of various trades,mobilization discount 3. Convenience, such as can a task be performed in house 4. Geography and location 5. Severe deficiencies 6. Incorporate with general operations Mr. Gregory stated that Phase I tasks have been prioritized and Phase I will begin in January 2014. Staff is in the process of prioritizing Phase II tasks. Mr. Gregory added that some of the costs will be funded by operational funds and some smaller costs will be absorbed in the departmental budget. Mr. Gregory asked the Commissioners to review the transition and implementation plan information. Mr. Gregory stated that staff will keep the Commissioners apprised of the progress of the implementation. V. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Hirsch opened the floor to public comment. No comments were made. Chair Hirsch closed the floor to public comment. VI. COMMISSION COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS Commissioner Moreno wondered who would determine any changes in the slope of the park sidewalks and whether or not to use landings or handrails. Mr. Gregory stated that City departments such as Engineering, Building Safety and Facilities will work together to meet the ADA standards for specific projects in the transition and implementation plan within budget. Chair Portillo asked if the vacant community center buildings needed to be updated. Mr. Gregory explained that the buildings were assessed but because they are not being used, they will be addressed at a later time. Chair Portillo inquired as to the timeframe for completion of the implementation plan. Mr. Gregory stated that Phase I would begin in January 2014 and should be completed by December 2016, which is a very aggressive timeframe. Chair Hirsch announced that on October 8, 2013, Mayor and Council proclaimed October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. VII.ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. by consensus. The next regular meeting for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will be on Monday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Municipal Complex, Room B3. 4 a The next regular meeting for the Commission on Persons with Disabilities will be on Tuesday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room at the Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown Street. Respectfully submitted, Denise Kazmierczak 5