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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Commission on Persons with Disabilities - Meeting Date: 9/15/2009 COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES GLENDALE MAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD ROOM 5959 WEST BROWN STREET, GLENDALE,ARIZONA Meeting Minutes September 15, 2009 6:30p.m. Members Present: Raymond Yaeggi Danielle Bohall (arrived at 6:41pm) Margaret Kulp Gary Charlson Shirley Galvez Rich Ray, Chairperson Members Absent: Mounib Shaaban, excused Erik Hendrix(resigned) Robert Muth, excused Gerald Zastrow, unexcused Staff Present: Sylvia Charters, Human Resources, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order and Welcome The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:30pm. A quorum was present. 2. Sneakers Ms. Valerie Lintz, Area Agency on Aging, Disabled Volunteers; Ms. Sue Reckinger, Area Agency on Aging, Homebound Citizens; Ms. Catherine Clarich, City Court Administrator; Mr. Sam McAllen, Code Compliance Director, and Ms. Christine DeSanti, Police Commander, Glendale Police Department Chairperson Ray introduced Ms. Valerie Lintz and asked her to begin tonight's presentation. Ms. Lintz provided background information about herself. She stated that approximately ten years ago it was discovered that those volunteers with disabilities were being overlooked. Disabled volunteers, with little training and minimal guidance, can be extremely beneficial to the community as able- body volunteers. Ms. Lintz explained that quite often those needing volunteers are uncomfortable or uneasy receiving assistance from a disabled volunteer. With patience and creativity, every volunteer can be placed in the most appropriate location. Ms. Lintz stated she oversees The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program or RSVP, which is one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation. The program connects local agencies in need of assistance with people age 55 and over who want to help. She explained the Maricopa RSVP assists older adults to discover productive uses for their creativity, energy and expertise. Recognizing that older adults have a wealth of experience and knowledge, staff assists volunteers in finding placement with non-profit organizations and public agencies. Maricopa RSVP works with over 150 organizations, which include Iibraries, senior centers, schools, museums, food banks, and primary healthcare facilities to provide a variety of volunteer opportunities that match the skills and interests of the volunteers. The program serves Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Phoenix, and Western Maricopa County. Ms. Lintz stated she could be reached at (602) 264-2255. She suggested to visit the following websites as well: jan.wvu.edu and serviceandinclusion.org. The Commission thanked her for the valuable information. Chairperson Ray introduced Sue Reckinger, Area Agency on Aging, Homebound Citizens. Ms. Reckinger began her presentation by explaining Duet was previously known as Beatitudes Center for many years. She distributed information to the Commission explaining the services provided to the homebound. She said transportation is provided to medical or social appointments one per week with a 3 to 5 day notice. Another valuable service is shopping. If a homebound client needs someone to shop with or needs someone to shop for them at the grocery, that can be provided once a week. Ms. Reckinger said friendly phoning and friendly visiting are other valuable and needed services provided to the lonely. Duet can also provided handyman services. This program provides minor home repairs that can be completed in one to two visits. Repairs as simple as changing light bulbs and filters to possibly changing washers in bath fixtures. The purpose is to keep people safe in their own homes. She added respite assistance is provided, and the newest service is computer assistance. She explained this program teaches homebound seniors basic email, Internet, and computers skills. This allows them the opportunity to research and have communication with the outside world. Computer training is provided one time per week for about two hours, with a minimum of 12 weeks. Commissioner Kulp asked if housekeeping services are provided. Ms. Reckinger stated at this time no housekeeping services are provided. Commissioner Bohall asked if evening visits were provided. Ms. Reckinger said yes, they do have volunteers that volunteer during the evening hours. misuse of handicapped and fire lane parking, as well as abandon vehicles. She stated this person has three volunteers that assist him. They respond to complaints regarding parking violations. She explained an incident at the Velma Teague Library where a United States Parcel Service vehicle was parking in a handicapped parking space. It was determined that the sign was not the proper signage for that particular space. The sign has since been replaced and will be monitored for violators. In addition, the mail carrier has been made aware of the sign and the possible fee. Commander DeSanti said approximately 20 to 25 parking citations are issues and about the same number in warnings. She said warnings are giving when the officer is about to issue a citation and the violator is coming to his vehicle. This gives the officer the opportunity to educate this person. Commander DeSanti explained that it would be difficult to post the fine on the sign. The sign is the responsibility of the property owner. She said there are thousands of signs throughout the city. If the sign included the amount of the fine, and the fine were to be increase, each of those signs displaying the fine would need to be replaced causing an additional cost to the property owner. Mr. Sam McAllen said the Code Enforcement Officers only verify the signs are displayed properly. They do not verify the amount, if any, included on the sign. Code ensures the spaces are property marked. He gave the example if a property owner were to repaved and strip their lot, Code would ensure the handicapped parking spaces were marked and striped property. Ms. Catherine Clarich stated she could survey the surrounding jurisdictions to find out the amount each charge for handicapped parking violations. Chairperson Ray explained the Commission did such a survey and discovered the City of Glendale's fees were on the lower end. She distributed a picture displaying a fine of$100 and another displaying a$532 fine. The higher fee was posted in Tucson, Arizona. Ms. Clarich said the courts are making improvements in the collection of fines. Previously, the city had no backing or 'teeth' to enforce collection. Now, these fees are sent to a collection agency where they are contacted by telephone and mail, late fees are assessed, credit bureaus are notified, and fees can be collected from income tax returns or lottery winnings. She added 84% of the money collected is returned to the state with the remaining 16%being awarded to the city. Commissioner Yaeggi asked if the volunteers have the authority to give citations. Commander DeSanti said yes. Commissioner Kulp asked if the volunteers were in uniform. Commander DeSanti said yes. Commander DeSanti suggested public education. She suggested possibly working to air public service announcements on KGLN, Channel 11. In response to a question from Commissioner Kulp, Mr. McAllen stated Code abides by the Building Code and the American Disabilities Act requirements. Chairperson Ray stated there are property owners that go above and beyond the minimum required parking spaces. Chairperson Ray and the Commission thanked all staff in attendance for taking the time to share and educate the Commission. Accessibility- Chairperson Ray stated she attended the City Council meeting of September 8, 2009. At this meeting, there was a consent agenda item requesting the Council approve funding for the renovation of twelve city facilities to make they ADA compliant. The cost was over $500,000. She explained consent items usually carry no discussion unless someone in attendance has an issue or concern. Chairperson Ray stated she did not want this important item to go unnoticed. She spoke at the meeting and expressed her appreciation of approval for on behalf of the Commission for these renovations. She thanked Council and the Departments involved for noticing the challenges the disabled community faces and for improving these facilities. In addition, The Glendale Star did a brief interview and will be printed in an upcoming newspaper. Chairperson Ray distributed a detailed listing of each facility to be upgraded and a list of the upgrades to take place. Commissioner Yaeggi wanted to thank Ms. Charters for providing him with last month's speaker information. He stated he appreciated the information regarding Autism that was provided at last month's meeting. He said although he was able to share the information with his coworkers and the information also assisted him when he had to substitute for a class of autistic children. Technology Chairperson Ray asked if anyone has the opportunity to review the survey. She asked the Commission to review the survey prior to the next meeting. 6. Other Business From the Floor Chairperson Ray asked for Other Business From the Floor. • Commissioner Galvez stated next month's speaker would be discussing the Alzheimer's disease. Chairperson Ray stated that Commissioners Yaeggi, Bohall, and Galvez would be attending Basic Training on Wednesday, September 16, 2009. Commissioner Yaeggi announced that he was working with the Disabled Veterans assisting the veterans and their families. He described their efforts and asked for any referrals of families that may be in need of assistance. 7. Next meeting- October 20, 2009 With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16p.m. Respectfully submitted, 4a/4414 1/5(tiPhiD�. scfr DFigueroa UU /