MINUTES
FLORIDA KEYS COUNCIL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (FKCFPWD)
THRUSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2005
STATE BUILDING - MARATHON
PRESENT: Michelle Wisnewski, Jim Malcolm, Gary Lowe, Cynthia McKnight, Elaine Higgins, Sandy Molina, Secretary & Treasurer
GUESTS: John King, Belinda Brown, Calvin Allen, Marc Dubin, Skip Haring, Debra Stucki, Jimmy Schmidt
Meeting called to order at 10:00 AM.
The meeting was opened by the Chairperson, Michelle. Everyone introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes and Agenda
Minutes and Agenda approved, with one change to the Agenda. Michelle reported that the new Liaison for the Disability Council, Sheila Barker, was not able to make this meeting due to other obligations. However, she has scheduled a meeting with Mrs. Barker and also with the new Deputy County Administrator, Debbie Frederick.
Report of the Chairperson
Michelle spoke about the Hurricanes. She also spoke about the Keys wide ADA celebrations and this Disability Council meeting being postponed due to the Hurricanes. She reported that we were still missing an Alternate (3 yr. Apppointment) to this Council and asked if anyone knew someone who would be interested to see her after the meeting.
Financial Report
Balance in account is $14,764.49. Guest, Marc Dubin, advised that the Justice Department has several people that could come down to the Keys, free of charge, including Architects and Technical Assistance personnel.
Report of the Committee on Awards
1. Michelle reported that Sabina Alfonso will receive the award at the Key West BOCC meeting on October 19, 2005. She will send the write-up to Sandy on Friday, September 30, 2005. Gary Lowe suggested that the Chevron Station on Summerland Key goes out of its way to help the disabled, and would like to nominate them for an award also. Michelle will check with them to get specifics and will get back to Sandy with the details and write up. The October 19, 2005, BOCC, Key West meeting would be the appropriate meeting.
Reports of the Committee on Monroe County ADA Upgrades
John King, Public Works – Ongoing Projects
John King reported that he has been working with the Supervisor of Elections office to get accessibility to all polls, by repainting and modifying some of the ramps, in the Lower Keys. They are working long term in the Middle and Upper Keys. He noted that there are some changes in running lengths of ramps. Public Works is looking at other options, such as rental of lifts, to have them available for voting days. Michelle reported that a Transition Plan is currently being written, and it must be done by Labor Day in 2006. John mentioned that the County has 11 respondent bidders to perform a County wide evaluation. John reported that they are now in the process of making a recommendation for the evaluation consultant. John will send everything they have to date to
Michelle, and noted that this was up for review for anyone who wanted to look at it. John reported that the County is in the process of paving Higgs Beach. He stated that they opened up some nice accessible parking that will connect the whole beach, including the Tennis Courts, bike paths, restaurant and restrooms. He mentioned that the County’s restrooms were recently rebuilt to compliance. He reported that the TDC has approved them to construct an “African Memorial Site”. John will bring the conceptual drawing to the next meeting. He mentioned that there will be an accessible ramp connected to the sidewalk to get up to the site.
Jim Malcolm – City of Key West
Jim Malcolm reported on Flagler Avenue. One concern is that the ramps that they are installing were supposed to be unidirectional. All they were concerned about is getting down Flagler, so there was no attempt, in the design phase, to make any connection to the City’s sidewalks that came into it. They were only concerned going down Flagler. He reported that in working with the Engineers and DOT they have redesigned some of the corners. It was also noted that there was no grading of the road, only milling and resurfacing of the road. Jim also reported on the new Key West High School, which is also located on Flagler Ave. He stated that the Sheriff’s Departments School Crossing Guard stands on the most difficult corner to bring into compliance because of
the radius of the curb.
Debra Stucki, DEP – Overseas Heritage Trail
Debra first explained what the Overseas Heritage Trail is and that it is currently funded through 22 – 23 segments, eventually connecting the entire length from Key West to Islamorada. She reported that they are upgrading the existing bike path along a 20 stretch of highway which is out to bid at this time that will repave Key Largo, Big Pine Key, Big Coppitt Key and Stock Island. Additional signage, tactile in the intersections and stripping will be done. They are also taking out tree roots that have become issues, and re-doing the bridges. Since this is federally funded, it is being designed with ADA accessibility. Since this project is very complex, Michelle suggested that they may want to get an ADA coordinator to help with the accessibility issues. It was also
suggested that maybe the Department of Justice could send someone down for a “different” point of view on things.
Jim Malcolm – City of Key West ADA Coordinator
The Stormwater Project that is being done around the City of Key West is still ongoing, because of them trying to meet a deadline. Facilities Projects have slowed down a bit since it being close to the end of the budget year and because of the storms, everything has been thwarted in other directions. They now have money for Flagler Avenue, and trying to push the City’s section of Flagler. They also have money available for Atlantic Boulevard Improvements. DOT is supposed to start South Roosevelt Boulevard in January, 2006. The City also has some monies for College Road. They also have money in the 5 year plan for Glenn Archer Drive/14th Street.
Michelle Wisniewski – Assn. for Disabled Americans Actions
Michelle reported that the Association is currently doing internal modifications and structure. She also reported that they have a number of cases pending that have not been resolved. Another 7 or 8 additional lawsuits have been filed. There has been 4 or 5 letters for action.
Unfinished Business
1. The ADA and the City of Layton, Florida
Michelle advised that according to the 2000 census, the City of Layton as a total population of 186 people. Skip Haring, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor was present at this meeting. Michelle advised Mr. Haring that since 1992, the City of Layton is required to have a Transition Plan for access under Title II of the ADA. She mentioned that out of the 186 people in the City of Layton, 68 persons are claiming disability. Mr. Haring is not aware of a Transition Plan within the City of Layton. Depending on how many people the City of Layton employees, they may not be required to have a Transition Plan, but are still under the Title II ADA. He stated that the City employees 3 part time people, therefore, not required to have a Transition Plan. Michelle also advised Mr. Haring
that the place where they hold their Council meetings must also be accessible. He stated that it is accessible. Mr. Haring mentioned that within the next 2 or 3 months, they will be re-doing the bike path.
2. Cancellation of August 26, 2006 Celebrations of the 15th ADA Anniversary
Development of our Third ADA Teaching Seminar for 2006
Michelle reported that due do Hurricane Katrina, the ADA Celebrations were all cancelled, throughout the County. Motion made and seconded to pay for advertising the ADA Celebrations, even though they were cancelled. Gary Lowe suggested that we wait until next year to hold the ADA Celebrations. Sandy suggested that maybe having the ADA Celebration and the Seminar together, saving the Council money on advertising costs. Cynthia McKnight suggested that if we do the ADA Celebration/Seminar next year, she asked that it be done in June, versus July/August. Since seminars have been held in the Upper and Lower Keys, the Middle Keys will be the site of this seminar. Several suggestions on where to hold the next seminar was discussed. Elaine Higgins suggested the Marathon
Airport. Hawks Cay, Duck Key, was also suggested. Michelle will visit Hawks Cay to check out their access. The Marathon Government Center, BOCC meeting room and the Stanley Switlik School were other suggestions. Michelle suggested that Gary and Cynthia could also have their vendors brought to this Celebration/Seminar. Michelle said that she knows of someone who does repairs on wheelchairs and would like to get his information out. Michelle stated that this would need to go out to bid, since it is a Government function. The topic of the Seminar was discussed. Suggestions from education, safety, emergency evacuation, fair housing, Title III, and employment training issues were among the topics of discussion for the seminar. It is suggested that since the first two seminars were geared toward businesses and government, this one should be geared toward the consumer.
New Business
Hurricane Survival as a Disabled Person in Monroe County
1. The evacuation process was discussed. It was mentioned that the 18 mile stretch should have been reversed for this purpose. Michelle stated that she has evacuated 6 or 7 times and has had no problem getting out, although it did get busy at times. It is also a concern about the people who will be left behind because of no buses or drivers. Michelle mentioned that since the Military has to leave anyway, why they can’t drive some of the buses out. Gary Lowe wanted to mention the MARC house and Peacock House residents. Gary explained that both of these agencies are denied County evacuation from the Special Need Registry. The basis of the rejection is that they say that these two agencies are a “program”. Gary, as its former director, said that
the Peacock is not a “program”; it is simply low cost housing for its residents. He feels that there is no justification in denying them evacuation transportation. Motioned made for Gary to draft a letter of support to the BOCC asking them to put these residents on the Special Needs Registry.
Announcements
The next Disability Council will be held on November 17, 2005 at 11:00 AM, GATO Building, 1100 Simonton Street, Downstairs Conference Room.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 PM.
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