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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-06 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Friday, February 6, 2004, 10:30 a.m. Kona MayorÓs Office Conference Room PRESENT: Michael Gleason, Chair; Ted Yamanaka, Vice-Chair; Denise Cowdrey, Elizabeth Mason, Jack Matsui, James Souza, Laura Tobosa EXCUSED: Betsy Whitney, Secretary; Lawrence Scadden GUESTS: Tom Brown, Mass Transit Agency; Susan Golden, John Hartman, H.A.W.K.; Joan Lawhead, Volunteer Enforcement Officer; Andy Levin, MayorÓs Office; Alisa Mitchener, Recreation Specialist-Department of Parks and Recreation; Lee Pretsch, Teresa Spinola-Campbell, Personnel Program Specialist; Malina Thorpe, Interpreter; Robert Zirnstein, Volunteer Enforcement Officer 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 E. Mason made a motion to accept the minutes of December 5, 2003. L. Tobosa seconded the motion. The motion was passed. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ISSUES None. TREASURERÓS REPORT The treasurerÓs report was reviewed. J. Matsui made a motion to accept the treasurerÓs report as submitted. T. Yamanaka seconded the motion. The motion was passed. CORRESPONDENCE A. Letter to Chairman J. Arakaki and Members of the County Council from Mayor Kim appointing D. Cowdrey and J. Matsui to MCPD D. Cowdrey and J. Matsui introduced themselves and provided back information. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A. EDUCATION/PUBLIC AWARENESS SUBCOMMITTEE Î M. GLEASON No report. B. RECREATION SUBCOMMITTEE M. Gleason reported that MCPD is still seeking a committee member to spearhead this subcommittee. He will talk to the new members about serving on this subcommittee if they are interested. C. TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE Î B. WHITNEY T. Brown reported that last year the State selected a consultant (Weslin) to do the islandwide transportation plan for all the neighbor islands. Th public transportation (school buses, para-transit). The initial information gathering began in December 2003/January 2004 for East Hawaii. The inform will begin in February/March 2004 for West Hawaii. The study is scheduled to be completed in December 2004. E. Mason asked how is transportation going to be arranged for th no transportation to attend the meeting. T. Brown stated that he will see what he can do to make arrangements for transportation. In the past, a van was operated for transportation. One of the state requirements is that public meetings be held in Hilo, Kona, Puna, North Kohala, and Waimea. T. Brown reported that federal funds will be received to supplement the countyÓs transportation budget which was earmarked by Senator Daniel Inouye. The county will be receiving $2.4 million to upgrade the transportation services on the island. Senator Inouye tied in the congressional earmark with the ÐWar on IceÑ because congressional earmarks are usually for capital purchases. One of the transportation improvements will be for after school transportation. Secondly, para-transit service (Handi-Van service) will be implemented in West Hawaii. It will initially run 10 hours a day until demand is determined. An additional Kona/Hilo run will be added and three more runs within the Kona area. The Mass Transit Agency has gone back to using the Handi-Van which was re City and County of Honolulu. The Handi-Van is an 18-passenger van. But with two wheelchair riders, it will hold 14 passengers. E. Mason asked if an announcement was published in the newspaper informing the public about the new Handi-Van service. The news release should be done as a public service announcement. T. Brown responded that a press re on the radio. He explained that there are different ways to get information out to different groups depending on where you live. He prefers the radio because itÓs cheaper. Sometimes people help pass out notices in Pahoa. He h much success with public service announcements in the newspaper. J. Souza pointed out that hearing-impaired people are unable to hear the radio so he would prefer the newspaper. A. Levin referred T. Brown to Janet Snyder, Public Relations Specialist, about doing a public service announcement. J. Hartman suggested utilizing the local television station to make announcements. S. Golden suggested disseminating a flyer with the bus schedule, announcement of the meeting, or bus service change. 2 E. Mason asked if special hearings will be held on the grant for thought the $2.4 million will be divided into three rural areas. T. Brown clarified that the State of Hawaii has three rural areas (Kauai, Maui, Big Island) in the State. The funds were divided as follows: $2.4 million for the Big Island, $800,000 for Maui, and $800,000 for Kauai. The original request was for $3.75 mill got cut down to $2.4 million. Every council district will be receiving part of the funds. However, most of the funding will go towards the Puna area and Kona area. Out of the $2.4 million, $1 million will be used for 4 33-passenger accessible buses and 4 or 5 four-wheel drive vans. T. Brown reported that the Kona route operates from Fujihara Store in Kealia up to Makalei Golf Course. Another expenditure for the funding will be for the Ocean View area to implement daily service between there and Kona. Right now itÓs twice a week service. E. Mason asked if T. Brown has considered putting in signs that say Ðbus stopÑ or Ðcaution pedestrians crossingÑ along the highway so people can get to the bus stop. T. Brown said they are not allowed to have official bus stops along a public highway according to the State of Hawaii. However, the buses do stop on the highway wherever they are flagged down. T. Brown mentioned that they are working on a park and ride concept. He would like to set up this concept in county owned areas because itÓs easier owns the property. T. Brown reported that they have permission to go to the Kona airport at least two times a week. However, they do not have permission to go to the Hilo airport yet. He is working on getting all the Kona buses into the airport once the new routes are implemented. A. Mitchener thanked T. Brown for increasing the bus service to Puna. The route is more user friendly and she anticipates a lot more use by children. There is concern for kids with disabilities using the bus safely and independently. Is there any kind of awareness that is being shared with the bus drivers or the kids who are trying to use the bus service? T. Brown responded that all the buses on the Puna route are accessible. One of the groups that spearheaded additional service in Puna was a group of high school students in Pahoa. The drivers are aware and there hasnÓt been any special case of riders. Most riders are students and workers who work at Prince Kuhio Plaza. E. Mason suggested that T. Brown have a talk at some of the high schools in Kona because they lack the knowledge of what bus service could be. Secondly, she complimented T. Brown on his initiative for riding every single bus route at least twice a year. 3 UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. VOLUNTEER PARKING VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE Î A. LEVIN/SGT. APELE A. Levin distributed and reviewed the Volunteer Disabled Parking Enforcement Program quarterly statistics for the year 2003. The fourth quarter statistics reflect more man hours worked than the previous quarters. J. Lawhead reported that the increase was because they were allowed to put in more hours at different times of the day. In the past, they were unable to work after 4 p.m. They are now putting a minimum of 20 hours a month. In addition, they are receiving a lot of cooperation from various businesses with having their parking area painted and access aisle sign up. There are still only four volunteer officers in Kona. A. Levin reported that Sergeant R. Apele is now in the process of recruiting more volunteers for West Hawaii and new volunteers for East Hawaii. M. Gleason offered to initiate another request for Sergeant R. Apele to attend the Kona meeting and provide an update. J. Souza asked if West Hawaii includes Waimea. J. Lawhead responded that they have never been to Waimea and she is not sure if they need to get permission to patrol the area. They have gone as far as Captain Cook and past the industrial area by Costco. However, they went once to the KingsÓ Shops in Waiko J. Hartman asked if the police officers are using the volunteer officers for enforcement on accessible parking since they are not doing much of anything. A. Levin stated that every time this question has been raised the police department has said they will enforce the regulations if called or if they see a violation. B. UPDATE FROM DCAB Î C. FLEMING/N. OLESEN None. C. ADA COORDINATORÓS REPORT Î A. LEVIN A. Levin shared two notices that DCAB has printed for anyone to use to put on windshields of cars that are parked illegally. One notice is for the access aisle and the other notice is for disabled parking. DCAB will be printing more notices for interested people to use. J. Hartman asked if the parking notice was approved by the Corporation CounselÓs Office because MCPD printed some notices in the past and they re committee to put them on yellow paper because they looked too much like a ticket. A. Levin replied that he is not certain if the Department of the Attorney General approved the notice but DCAB is a state agency. A. Mitchener reported that the Department of Parks and Recreation printed the same notice on light blue and light yellow paper for park directors. Approximately 3,000 4 notices have been printed and distributed to the different park directors. If parks and recreation staff see that people without disabled placards are using the parking stalls, then they are to call the police dispatch phone number who will then send a police officer to issue a citation. Secondly, she is working on the idea of having volunteer officers help police the facility during large-scale events. Dexter Veriato, from community relations in the police department, will present tips on avoiding conflict when dealing with the public as part of a recreation training in enforcing accessible parking. Parks and Recreation has committed to taking a proactive role in parking enforcement. D. Cowdrey raised an issue regarding Goodwill Industries receiving a disabled parking placard as an agency since they provide transportation daily to their participants. A. Levin responded that DCABÓs position is that organizations should not get placards, they should be for individuals. If an organization is transporting an individual who is disabled, then the individualÓs placard should be used. J. Matsui expressed his concerns that when people are parked illegally in a disabled stall and the police are called, the person is normally gone by the time the police officer arrives. Secondly, he suggested that the county notify the security companies to be aware of accessible parking. M. Gleason stated that MCPD could revisit D. CowdreyÓs concerns when a representative from DCAB attends the meeting. A. Levin introduced T. Spinola-Campbell as the new ADA Coordinator. T. Spinola-Campbell provided background information about herself. The meeting was recessed at 11:35 a.m. The meeting was reconven 11:40 a.m. D. PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT Î A. MITCHENER A. Mitchener reported on the following: 1. Conducted ability awareness games with children during Winter Intersession. 2. Continue to include ADA issues in Parks and RecreationÓs strategic planning for the next five years. 3. Conducted Effective Communication Policy training for 12 park administrators which emphasized the commitment to provide effective communicati people with a variety of disabilities. Included DCABÓs ÐA Key to Resources Serving People with Disabilities in the State of Hawaii,Ñ resources for hiring sign language interpreters and publishing information in alternate formats, and ÐA Model for AccessibilityÑ created by the University Center for Disability Studies. 5 4. Initiated three action steps for Recreation staff to take a proactive role in accessible parking enforcement. A training on avoiding conflict/confrontation when dealing with the public will be offered February 27 with Dexter Veriato from community relations of the police department. E. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Î L. SCADDEN No report. NEW BUSINESS A. TRANSITION PLAN UPDATE, PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY TOOLKIT Î A. MITCHENER A. Mitchener reported that the transition plan requires MCPD to review the Program Accessibility Toolkit with the Department of Parks and Recreation. She emphasized the ÐTool kitÑ is not a collection of devices, but a commitment to effective communication that changes with time. She would like input from MCPD twice a year to determine community needs and best practices in communic people with a variety of disabilities. A. Mitchener mentioned that the Recreation Division updated its information on the County website (www.co.hawaii.hi.us/parks/recreation.htm) December 2003. M. Gleason suggested continuing discussion of the program accessibility toolkit at the next meeting. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ISSUES J. Hartman asked the status of the Kona Alii Condominiums/Alii Drive Crosswalk. A. Levin said he has been in contact with Mr. David Lacy and he says that they are redesigning. A. Levin urged D. Lacy to share the information so he can run it through DCAB to make sure the crosswalk is done right. J. Hartman stated that cars are parked on the sidewalk fronting Hale Halawai and they block the accessible route from the disabled parking. J. Matsui reported that the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame will be holding up signs twice a week in every district which says Ðdo not drink and driveÑ and Ðchampions say no to drugs.Ñ J. Hartman reiterated his concerns about motorcycles parking illegally in front of Durty Jakes on Alii Drive particularly on Sunday morning. A. Levin offered to send another memo to the Police Chief. E. Mason suggested that new members receive a copy of the transition plan. She gave her copy to D. Cowdrey. 6 ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Mitchener reported that ÐA Key to Resources Serving People with Disabilities in the State of HawaiiÑ publication has been updated. Secondly, the Tools for Life Expo and Conference will be held on July 9-10, 2004 on Oahu. J. Souza reported that the deaf community had a meeting with the Police Department and it was a very successful discussion. The police officer told them that they donÓt normally pull a gun if a deaf person is walking. The police officer is not threatening the deaf person and will instead walk in front of the deaf person. The next meeting will be held on Friday, March 5, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo. Location to be announced. MCPD thanked E. Mason for her services and presented her with a also thanked A. Levin for his support as the ADA Coordinator and presented him with a gift basket. E. Mason recommended one of her neighbors who is deaf and works Rehabilitation to replace her on the committee. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, _______________________________ JEAN VIERNES, STAFF SECRETARY 7