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Home My WebLink About2004-03-05 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Friday, March 5, 2004, 10:30 a.m. Aupuni Conference Room PRESENT: Ted Yamanaka, Vice-Chair; Denise Cowdrey, Jack Matsui, Lawrence Scadden, James Souza, Laura Tobosa EXCUSED: Michael Gleason, Chair; Betsy Whitney, Secretary GUESTS: Cecelia Adams, Goodwill Industries; Sergeant Randy Apele, Police Department; Tom Brown, Mass Transit Agency; Bob Dunkley, ADA Coordinator Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; Andy Levin, MayorÓs Office; Leonard McGhee, Coordinated Services; Sonia Scadden, Teri Spinola-Campbell, ADA Coordinator (Personnel Program Specialist); Donald Thomas, Hawaii Disability Rights Center CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 10:35 a.m. An introduction of committee members, staff, and guests was made. APPROVAL OF MINUTES L. Tobosa made a motion to accept the minutes of February 6, 2004 as submitted. D. Cowdrey seconded the motion. The motion was passed. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ISSUES None. TREASURERÓS REPORT The treasurerÓs report was reviewed. L. Scadden noted that the two annual budgets that he has seen since being on the committee had some line item categories that never seemed to have expenditures, things like subscriptions and memberships, contract services, and other miscellaneous expenses. He wondered if this was historically true, and if so, knowing that other categories seemed to be low each year, if it would be prudent when developing next yearÓs budget (something that probably will be done relatively soon) to reconsider the needed categories and reallocate funds. He was very aware that may be a required template used throughout the county government; he just was wondering aloud. J. Viernes responded that it was possible to move around the budget if needed and the budget template was a standard format. J. Matsui made a motion to accept the treasurerÓs report as submitted. L. Scadden seconded the motion. The motion was passed. CORRESPONDENCE A. Resignation letter from Elizabeth Mason B. Letter to Lawrence Mahuna, Police Chief, from A. Levin regarding illegal parking in front of coconut grove in Kona C. Email to MCPD members from M. Gleason, regarding A Model for Accessibility booklet L. Tobosa suggested tabling this issue since she had some questi M. Gleason. MCPD agreed. D. Copy of a letter to Lawrence Mahuna, Police Chief, from Ron Amundson, Disability Rights Hawaii regarding power wheelchair user who was issued a ticket L. Scadden requested a clarification with respect to the statewide traffic code and whether people in wheelchairs are considered pedestrians. T. Spinola-Campbell responded that she will follow up and keep the committee informed of any developments. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A. EDUCATION/PUBLIC AWARENESS SUBCOMMITTEE Î M. GLEASON No report. B. RECREATION SUBCOMMITTEE No report. C. TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE Î B. WHITNEY T. Brown reported that the County of Hawaii is proposing a fuel tax increase of 6 cents. Of the six cents, two cents would be earmarked for the transit agency for increased public bus service. Proposed programs include: Puna bus service expansion North Kohala to Hilo and Kona bus run Two additional bus runs in Kona Additional run between Hilo and Kona Handi-van services in Puna Handi-van service for Ocean View, Pahala, and Naalehu Shared-ride taxi service Increased bus parts fund Matching funds for Federal grants for bus purchases These proposed programs would provide additional and accessible transportation for riders without transportation alternatives. 2 UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. VOLUNTEER PARKING VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE Î SGT. R. APELE Sergeant R. Apele reported that he is still recruiting for volunteers. Today is the deadline to apply. He has received four or five applications. Currently, there are three to four volunteers working in Kona and one in Hilo. There is a possibility that the deadline may be extended another week or so if recruitment is not successful. A person applying to be a volunteer needs to meet minimum requirements such as a background check, 21 years of age, and be a high school graduate L. Tobosa asked why there were less applicants in Hilo than Kona. Sgt. R. Apele said he was not sure. J. Matsui reported that he encountered a problem at Hawaiian Cablevision in the Hilo Shopping Center with regards to accessible parking. The office manager complained that people are parking illegally in the accessible stalls. J. Matsui suggested a large awareness sign be posted at the front counter in Hawaiian Cablevision. B. UPDATE FROM DCAB Î C. FLEMING/N. OLESEN Report attached. C. ADA COORDINATORÓS REPORT Î T. SPINOLA-CAMPBELL Report attached. D. PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT Î A. MITCHENER No report. E. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Î L. SCADDEN L. Scadden reported that he met with Troy Kindred, Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator, to discuss how people with disabilities were included in the CountyÓs emergency preparedness plan. He learned that there isnÓt a truly developed plan for the County, only broad guidelines. T. Kindred indicated that there are two areas of concern regarding people with disabilities (along with many older people) when considering times of emergency. First, as materials are developed to guide County citizens in preparing for natural or civil emergencies. First, what will be the special needs of this population that should be addressed in these materials? For example, some disasters (like earthquakes) will occur without any warning. All citizens should have plans in place for their own safety because emergency respo possibly be able to reach all those in need immediately. That means that people with disabilities, along with everyone else, must have contingency plans in place for dealing with things like evacuations. Second, what are the most appropriate means of reaching people with disabilities at the time of emergencies? People who are deaf will not hear sirens or listen to radios; blind people will not see subscripts at the bottom of TV broadcasts. He and T. Kindred discussed the need for meetings with disability leaders and advocates for the purpose of investigating these issues so that 3 the County can develop the most appropriate plans and materials implement them prior to future emergencies. L. Scadden stated that T. Kindred had given him a copy of a Braille pamphlet on preparing for hurricanes. T. Kindred had heard that the Braille but L. Scadden read it and it is perfect and should be distributed. The material relates to preparing for a hurricane, but the information is suitable for preparation for any other kind of disaster preparedness. D. Cowdrey asked how these Braille pamphlets could be obtained and distributed, and L. Scadden said that contact should be made with the Civil Defense Agency and that all organizations with memberships made up of people with disabilities would be appropriate for distribution, and libraries should have copies. F. TRANSITION PLAN UPDATE, PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY TOOLKIT Î A. MITCHENER No report. NEW BUSINESS A. MODEL FOR ACCESSIBILITY MANUAL Tabled. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ISSUES D. Thomas introduced himself and provided background information organization. T. Spinola-Campbell asked Sergeant R. Apele if only officers in the Traffic Division and the volunteer enforcement officers give tickets for illegal parking or do officers in Patrol Division also issue tickets? Sergeant R. Apele replied that all officers enforce the law for illegal parking. However, the law is enforced for accessible stalls that have correct signage, marking, and wording. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting will be held on Friday, April 2, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. in Kona. Location to be announced. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, _______________________________ JEAN VIERNES, STAFF SECRETARY 4 March 5, 2004 MEMORANDUM TO:Members of the County of Hawaii, Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities FROM:Debbie Jackson Program Specialist SUBJ:Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) Activities Update 1.DCAB has hired a new staff person to assist with the management of the Accessible Parking Program and the new Parking Space Design Notification Program. Her name is Adele Ching. She started with DCAB in December 2003 and works full time in DCAB’s Honolulu office. Part of Ms. Ching’s job is to respond to technical questions regarding the parking program and assist with general information and referral calls. 2.The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) project being administered by the Office of Elections (OE) and DCAB is proceeding on schedule.The county precinct officials were trained on surveying polling sites by DCAB Facility Access Unit staff. County staff is currently surveying Big Island sites. All surveys and solutions to overcome identified barriers to access will be reviewed by DCAB designated staff. The OE’s deadline for completing surveys statewide is April 15, 2004. 3.The Legislature opened on January 21, 2004, and DCAB continues to monitor bills impacting persons with disabilities. DCAB has taken positions on many bills this year; however, not many measures impacting individuals with disabilities have been introduced this session. Some bills followed by DCAB include: HB 2769, HD1- Relating to Parking for Persons with Disabilities HB 2531 HD1 - Relating to Incapacitated Persons SB 3037, SD1 - Relating to Respite Services SB 3068, SD2 - Relating to State Funds (an omnibus bill that includes an appropriation, from the State’s “Rainy Day Fund,” for money to continue Donated Dental Services for 1 more year HCR 16 – Requesting the Auditor to Assess the Social and Financial Effects of Requiring Health Insurers to Offer Coverage for Cognitive Rehabilitation Today, March 5, 2004, is first decking which means that all bills must be reported out of all committees to be prepared for third reading in the originating body (Senate or House). After the third reading the bill crosses over to the non-originating body for the next round of hearings. 4.The Special Parent Information Network’s (SPIN) annual conference is scheduled for April 24, 2004 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Campus Center. The theme of this year’s conference is “Take a Spin Through Hollywood.” Neighbor island scholarships are available for families. Registration is currently being accepted. Please call SPIN toll free at 974-4000, ext. 6-8126# for registration information and speak with Jan or Susan. 5.Tools for Life Expo is scheduled for July 9 and 10, 2004 at the NBC in Honolulu. Workshops featuring speakers from the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Access Board will be conducted in conjunction with an EXPO of products and services for persons with disabilities. More information is available on the DCAB web site at www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab/. An all day pre-EXPO th workshop on July 8 will discuss the new ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and will be directed to the architectural and engineering community. 6.Debbie Jackson will be the DCAB staff person assigned to coordinate information dissemination to the counties. Updates to the Mayor’s Committee will be provided by Ms. Jackson beginning with this report. ADA Coordinator Activities March 5, 2004 st 1 - Mahalo nui loa to Andy for making the transition smooth and sharing information with me. He's been very helpful. Parking Issues: Problems -Hilo Medical Center Van; Durty Jakes - improved;Quinn's, Kona- parking on the sidewalk; Restriping of Kailua-Kona Municipal Lot and also Hale Hawai (one additional spot)- interim measures until compliant stalls and routes can be constructed Kona Ali'i Condominium Sidewalk/Ali'i Drive Crosswalk - I just sent a letter to David Lacy, introducing myself and asking for an update, reaffirmed Andy's offer of a meeting Disability Rights Hawaii - Ponahawai St - Liliu'okalani Driveway County will repair driveway Big Island Substance Abuse Driveway makai side - they will repair County is looking at Kinoole Street fronting Farmers' Exchange Problems with curb cuts at Kinoole & Hualalai, Kilauea & Barenaba are being investigated No funds for sidewalk between G. Carvalho Park and Hilo Medical Center; no funds to improve sidewalk Komohana and Punahele One complaint of police warning a person in a powerchair, he was in a "vehicle" and had to travel with traffic, on a street w/o sidewalk - research, Statewide Traffic Code 291C, plus consultation with the Access Board. Ron Amundson wrote to Chief Mahuna, stating people who use wheelchairs are considered pedestrians ID Cards for Persons who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf Blind will be issued Statewide by Aloha State Association of Deaf Board I signed off on drawings for Hoolulu Park Complex, which DCAB was satisfied with; Piilani Complex came back with changes needed; also North Kohala Seniors' Complex specs need more work Update - January 2004 Schedule 1: Onekahakaha Beach Park, Waimea Park, Aunty Sally's Luau Hale (Seven Seas), Papaikou Community Center, Konawaena Pool and Hookena Beach Park are completed. Construction of Pahoa Park, Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields substantially completed. Under Construction: Laupahoehoe Pt. Park, Honoka'a Park, Kahalu'u Beach Park, Greenwell Park County is in the process of updating website, making it better; TTY numbers have been added to some Department Home pages; Police Website now shows that 911 is TTY accessible - if you have any suggestions, please send them to me and I will forward them to Data Systems spincam2004@yahoo.com Question I was asked to put to the Police for clarification by a citizen - do only officers in Traffic Division and Volunteers give tickets for illegal parking or do officers in Patrol Division also issue tickets? Pau Teri Spinola-Campbell