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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Commission on Persons with Disabilities - Meeting Date: 10/21/2014 City of Glendale Commission on Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting MINUTES GIendale Main Library 1st Floor Large Meeting Room 5959 West Brown Street Tuesday, October 21,2014 6:00pm Call to Order Chairperson Hirsch called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00pm. II. Roll Call Chairperson Hirsch, Vice Chairperson Lesser, and Commissioners Legendre, Hoerner, and Mander were present. Commissioners, Kumar and Seymour, were absent. Staff in attendance was Erik Strunk, Director, Gilbert Lopez, Community Revitalization, Paul King, Parks and Recreation, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary. One guest was present, Denise Rogers, residing in the Yucca District. III. Approval of Minutes-June 17,2014 Regular Meeting Chairperson Hirsch asked if there were any corrections or revisions to the minutes. Commissioner Mander made a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of the June 17, 2014 as written. Vice Chairperson Lesser seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously. IV. Business from the Floor Chairperson Hirsch called for Business from the Floor. There was none. V. Impediments to Fair Housing Study Mr. Erik Strunk introduced Mr. Gilbert Lopez, Community Revitalization Manager. Mr. Lopez provided the Commission with a summary of the Analysis of Impediments to the Fair Housing Study (AI) and its role in the Community Development Block Grant Five-Year Consolidated Planning Process. This is very important in that a portion of the plan addresses the City's need to be compliant with all Federal, State, and Local American with Disabilities Action requirements. Mr. Lopez distributed a copy of his presentation to the Commission. His presentation began with an explanation that HUD requires certification to affirmatively further fair housing by analyzing and identifying impediments to fair housing choices. He reviewed the Fair Housing Act for the Commission. Commissioner on Persons with Disabilities Page 2 Mr. Lopez stated some of the impediments are actions, omissions, or decisions taken because of protected class membership, which restrict housing choices or the availability of housing choices. Also, any actions, omissions, or decisions, which have the effect of restricting housing choices or the availability of housing choices on the basis of protected class membership. He continued by explaining the Analysis of Impediments Process. He provided examples of housing discrimination such as an agent refusing to sell, rent, or show available housing; a person only being shown housing in areas or neighborhoods of minority concentration; a landlord providing different housing services, or enforcing different rules for the disabled; a prospective tenant being told the dwelling is not appropriate for a family; or a dwelling has an available sign, but prospective tenants are told it is not available. He identified some of the impediments as lack of awareness and education on fair housing; affordability of housing; accessibility to housing for persons with disabilities; and growth and development patterns. Mr. Lopez concluded stating the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice draft is due January 15, 2015. The review by the Community Development Advisory Committee will take place on February 19, 2015. He stated he was available for questions. Commissioner Mander asked how this was enforced. Mr. Lopez said the City hires Community Legal Services (CLS), attorneys specializing in the fair housing law. If the City receives a complaint, the CLS would review the case to determine if there was discrimination occurring. Chairperson Hirsch asked if the CLS would need to have proof of illegal activity not just the word of the landlord. Mr. Lopez said that is correct, it must be based on fact. Commissioner Legendre noted these issues were occurring thirty years ago and are still taking place today. Commissioner Mander asked about the trend for complaints in Glendale. Mr. Lopez said they are currently looking into that and would be happy to provide feedback to the Commission if they wish. The Commission thanked him for his presentation. VI. Updates on Parks ADA Audit Report Chairperson Hirsch called for this item. Mr. Erik Strunk stated that in November 2013, the Commission on Persons with Disabilities conducted a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission to discuss and review recommendations related to a comprehensive Commissioner on Persons with Disabilities Page 3 analysis of all parks and recreation facilities. As the one-year mark of the study was approaching, Mr. Paul King, Parks Maintenance Manager, provided the Commission with an update as to the progress to date. Mr. King distributed information to the Commission listing park locations, a brief description of what is needed to become ADA complaint, and the approximate cost. He explained some of the items, which were taken care of in-house or by City staff for a minimal cost. He reviewed some of these revisions. The Commission thanked him for the information. VII. Review of Draft FY13-14 Action Plan Chairperson Hirsch called for the presentation of the FY13-14 Action Plan. Mr. Strunk stated this item was for review and to finalize the FY13-14 Final Report and to confirm the Commission's work plan for FY14-15. Chairperson Hirsch asked if Commissioner Kumar's suggestion of each Commissioner visiting two to three places to educate the population on the Disabilities Commission had been included. She said this should be included. Chairperson Hirsch stated she needed to move forward on activities regarding the Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden. The Commission agreed to remove the item regarding the Special Olympics. Mr. Strunk noted the Commission previously suggested a goal of the entire Commission assisting one day of volunteer service by assisting a local resident. Chairperson Hirsch stated this had been removed. Chairperson Hirsch asked for a motion. Vice Chairperson Lesser made a motion to approve the FY13-14 Final Report and confirmed the Work Plan for FY14-15 with revisions which would include to continue work at the Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden, and for each Commissioner to attend an event and report back to the Commission. Commissioner Mander seconded the motion,which was approved unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. VIII. Staff Updates Chairperson Hirsch called for Staff Updates. Mr. Strunk discussed four topics with the Commission. He began by stating there is an upcoming volunteer opportunity, the Rock-n-Roll Paint-a-Thon, the weekend of October 25. This will take place in a mobile home park and is a lot of fun. On Monday, December 8, there will be a new community playground built at Bonsall Park North. Mr. Strunk stated the equipment was received through donation from a national organization. The value of the equipment is approximately $90,000. Also, Mr. Strunk stated there is a new home being constructed through Habitat for II Commissioner on Persons with Disabilities Page 4 Humanity at 6825 North 61st Avenue. There will be a Wall Signing event on Friday, October 24, dedicating the home to its new family. Mr. Strunk also provided an update on a previous incident involving an unleashed service dog. Approximately one year ago, an individual released his service animal to run through a city park without a leash. There is a leash law and animals must be leashed at city parks. This individual was cited and found to be in violation of the leash law. This individual filed a complaint with the Attorney General's office. There were no findings of discriminatory acts against the individual by the City. He noted City staff is trained on the use and definition of a service animal as it relates to visiting a City facility. X. Commission Comments & Suggestions Commissioner Legendre asked that an item be placed on the next agenda. He suggested disabled seniors receive a discount at the City facilities. They do not use the facilities as other members and he would like to discuss this idea. He would also like to see the audible traffic signal brought into more locations. He was aware that they are located throughout the city, but not in the downtown area where many events take place. Commissioner Mander announced he was changing employers. His new work hours would not allow him to attend at 6pm. He stated that he admired and appreciated everyone on the Commission and what they do for the city. He said it was a pleasure serving. Chairperson Hirsch thanked Commissioner Mander for his contributions. Chairperson Hirsch commented that she had visited the new polling sites and all were in compliance. She added a new primary care facility had opened within the City. She noted that they are providing tours. She stated she would be visiting the facility and would provide them with information regarding the Disabilities Commission. XII. Adjournment Chairperson Hirsch called for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Hoerner made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Mander seconded the motion. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:33pm. The next regular meeting is Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 6:00pm in the Main Library, Large Conference Room.