Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Commission on Persons with Disabilities - Meeting Date: 1/19/2016 City of Glendale Commission on Persons with Disabilities Room B-3 of City Hall 5850 W Glendale Avenue Tuesday, January 19, 2016 6:00 p.m. MINUTES I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:06 p.m. II. Roll Call Commissioners Steiger, LeGendre, Pirooz, Cox, Vice Chairperson Kumar, and Chairperson Lesser were present. Erik Strunk, Community Services Director, Patrick Sage, Transportation Planner, and Michael LaBianca, Project Manager, HDR, were present. III. Approval of Minutes — November 17, 2015 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Cox made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Pirooz seconded the motion, which was approved with a vote of 5 to 0. Vice Chair Kumar noted a minor grammatical correction to the minutes. IV. Business From The Floor Chairperson Lesser called for any business from the floor. There was none. V. Presentation and Discussion of New Transportation Master Plan Erik Strunk, Community Services Director, provided a brief introduction to the item and stated that a Transportation Master Plan public input survey will be passed out for the Commission to fill out. He encouraged the Commission to ask questions and provide input. Mr. Michael LaBianca with HDR gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Commission, briefing them on an update, the New Transportation Master 1 Plan which is examining all modes of transportation in Glendale and involves light rail. He said the purpose of the presentation was tointroduce the item to the Commission and seek their perspective. Mr. LaBianca stated that in the summer of 2015, the city started an update to its 2009 Transportation Master Plan. He explained that this plan will help define how the city's transportation system will improve and change over the next 25 years. He noted that Transportation Plans are generally updated every five to 10 years. He indicated the plans include addressing changes in demographics and travel forecasts to ensure that Glendale continues to provide a plan for its residents. Additionally, the Transportation system will address all modes of transportation including vehicular, non-motorized transit and aviation with particular focus on the interconnectedness of the overall transportation system. He indicated that a particular concern they will be assessing is identifying any gaps that can be addressed to improve overall system performance. He noted the plan process kicked off in July of 2015 and was scheduled to last 18 months. He stated key points for input will be assessed in the fall of 2015 and in late spring of 2016. Commissioner LeGendre inquired as to why city owned easements near Bethany Home Road were not being utilized for this project. He wondered what they will end up doing with that property. Mr. LaBianca noted that he was not familiar with that project, therefore could not speak about it. Mr. Erik Strunk, Community Services Director, stated he was somewhat aware of that project, which had been a MAG funded project. He remembered it being very problematic and not a viable option. He will provide more background information on that project if the Commission would like. Commissioner LeGendre expressed interest while discussing light rail noting that he would like to see plans having it continue to Westgate which was the ultimate goal. He asked why they were having it end in downtown Glendale. Mr. LaBianca explained that long term goals for that project will be evaluated. Vice Chair Kumar asked if they could provide a copy of their presentation. Mr. LaBianca replied yes. Vice Chair Kumar also inquired if this information was on-line on a website. Mr. LaBianca replied yes and provided the information. Vice Chair Kumar inquired if they were having focus groups and gathering public input. Mr. LaBianca said he was pleased to report they've been talking to the community, organizations, businesses, and government agencies in order to gather as much information and input as possible. 2 They are trying to incorporate into the project as much of the input and the important issues brought forth by residents and agencies. Vice Chair Kumar asked when they project starting their projects. Mr. LaBianca explained they will start recommending projects for the short term which was up to five years. These projects will have to go through approval by City Council and adopted into the city's Transportation Improvement Plan. He added they will also be recommending longer range projects that will be five, ten, or even more years out. The larger valley projects will require regional or federal funding. Commissioner LeGendre commented on the challenges regarding bus strikes and how it affects the public. He asked how the city plans to address this issue. Commissioner Cox stated that they do not control labor issues noting that they have a bus contract with Phoenix. Mr. Strunk explained the Valley Metro contract discussions that happen every year between Glendale and City of Phoenix. Discussion on FY15-16 Commission Goals Mr. Strunk reviewed the progress to date on the objectives of the FY15- 16 Commission Goals. The Commission discussed details on an upcoming community-wide event, which they plan to host in April of 2016. Mr. Strunk passed out a sheet with some key points the Commission discussed at the last meeting for the Disability Awareness Event. • Invite the disabled community. (Invitations) • Recognize outstanding contribution. (Plaque/Nomination Form) • Invite keynote speaker. • Forum for attendees to provide feedback. (Town Hall setting) • Educate the community. (Goal) Mr. Strunk suggested the Civic Center as an option for the venue. He indicated he would like to push this event with the departments and was willing to secure some funds to hold the Civic Center if the Commission was in agreement to having it there. He wants this event to start the right way in order to start gathering community support. He envisions the first part of the event as a meet and greet, welcoming attendees by the Chair, Commissioners and possibly the Mayor and Council. He recommends the awards would come next acknowledging the recipient's accomplishments. The keynote speaker will continue the event and engage the attendees. He said next they would have a forum for attendees to provide their feedback. 3 Chairperson Lesser suggested they pass out the input handouts at the beginning of the event and get it back later either after the event or when attendees have a chance to look it over at a later time. Commissioner Kumar recommended having a roaming microphone for people to ask questions such as in a Town Hall setting. She said someone could be writing down suggestions, comments and any ideas. Everyone agreed. Mr. Strunk provided some sample questions that could be asked by the public. He asked the Commission to review them and offer input. Commissioner Kumar also suggested having a "mini expo" and inviting other departments with resources that can help the disabled community. The departments can have tables set up with information readily available for people attending. Mr. Strunk agreed stating they could have departments such as Dial-a-Ride and the Salvation Army to name a few. Commissioner Cox stated that having resource tables for the disabled was very important since most do not know what is available to them. Commissioner Kumar inquired if they should charge the expo participants for a booth. Chairperson Lesser disagreed with that idea and noted that for at least the first time they should see how it goes first. Mr. Strunk stated he was happy with the progress made today locking down many of the suggestions and was ready to move forward with their plans. He reminded them that this event was being hosted and sponsored by the Commission on Persons with Disabilities so their input and ideas were the ones that will define this event. Mr. Strunk thanked the Commission and stated he will start the ball rolling using the discussion they had as a spring board for the event. He encouraged the Commission to ask questions and continue providing ideas. The Commission also discussed possibly catering the event. VI. Staff Updates Chairperson Lesser asked for any staff updates. Mr. Strunk introduced Ms. Stephanie Miller, new Senior Management Assistant, to the Commission. He stated she will be a welcoming addition to the department. 4 Mr. Strunk presented information regarding a new Western Area Branch Library. He asked the Commission to provide any input regarding the proposed library. He stated he will invite Michael Beck, Chief Librarian, to speak to the Commission and make a presentation on the Western Area Branch. Mr. Strunk announced that the Commission will start receiving emails with departmental information and public events. Mr. Strunk provided an update on CDBG. He stated that it will be wrapping up tomorrow and will be recommended to City Council for approval. Mr. Strunk commented on the upcoming budget process starting in February and March. He will keep the Commission updated on any pertinent developments. Mr. Strunk invited anyone preparing for U.S. Citizenship to attendclasses at the Velma Teague Library, 5 p.m. every Monday, January 11 to March 28. He said this was sponsored by the International Rescue Committee. He said classes will cover government structure, political systems, and history of the United States. He noted that classes were free and open to the general public, but require prior registration. Mr. Strunk stated the 2016 Point-in-Time count was fast approaching. He explained that this was a process that was directed to conduct sheltered and unsheltered counts for the homeless. He said these counts were an important benchmark to reflect the community and national efforts to end homelessness. He noted that Ms. Miller, new Senior Management Assistant, will be helping on this project. Mr. Strunk invited the Commission to a new home dedication on Saturday, January 30 at 10:00 a.m. for the Medina Family. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, organization that builds homes for people in need. He said this was a neat event to attend. VII. Commission Comments Chairperson Lesser asked for Commission comments. Commissioner Cox recommends the Commission have a discussion on what defines a person with disabilities. Mr. Strunk suggested the Commission put this item as an agenda item for further discussion. VIII. Adjournment 5 With no further business, Chairperson Lesser asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Cox made a motion to adjourn. Vice Chair Kumar seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. IX. Next Meeting The next regular meeting will be held on February 16, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at Glendale Main Library - 1st Floor Large Meeting Room, 5959 W. Brown Street. 6