2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
Gavin Newsom
Mayor
Susan Mizner
Director
Jul Lynn Parsons
F. Ross Woodall
Co-Chairs
Raphaella Bennin
Benito Casados
Harriet Chiu Chan
Joseph Fong
Elizabeth Grigsby
Tatiana Kostanian
Sarah Estes Merrell
Denise Senhaux
Vincent Webster
Mayor’s Disability Council
Minutes
16 January 2009
1 ROLL CALL
Mayor’s Disability Council Members Present: Ralphaella Bennin, Harriet Chiu Chan, Joseph Fong, Tatiana Kostanian, Sarah Estes Merrell, Denise Senhaux and F. Ross Woodall.
Excused Absence: Elizabeth Grigsby and Jul Lynn Parsons
Absent: Benito Casados and Vincent Webster
Mayor’s Office on Disability: Susan Mizner, Director; John Paul Scott, Deputy Director for Physical Access; Ken Stein, Program Administrator; and Howard O. Wong, Council Clerk.
F. Ross Woodall, Co-Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.
2 SPECIAL REPORT ON THE CITY BUDGET. PRESENTATION BY MONIQUE ZMUDA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE CONTROLLER’S OFFICE.
Ms. Zmuda reported that last year’s budget deficit was a difficult one due to the economic downturn causing reduction in revenues, high unemployment and other economic indicators. Her office projected the current year’s deficit to be between 90 – 125 million dollars. For the
2009/2010’s budget, the estimated deficit is expected to be 250 million. She pointed out that most tax revenues come from property and hotel taxes. The City’s budget is different from the State and Federal because we are required to stay balanced, which has resulted in the Mayor’s requesting City departments to make additional cuts. It is now anticipated that there may be a $576 million dollar deficit, requiring further reductions in expenditures and forgoing raises. The Board of Supervisors will consider new tax measures and restructuring of City services.
She said it is difficult to say right now how the budget would affect the disability community because it depends on the proposals from various departments that serve this community. However, she noted in the past that there has been reduced spending on the infrastructure resulting in project delays. She noted that programs and services are being reduced or cut in the Department of Public Health and Human Services Agency.
3 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The Council approved the agenda of the January 16, 2009 MDC Meeting.
4 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The Council approved the Minutes from the November 21, 2008 Meeting (There was a holiday party in lieu of the regular December MDC Meeting).
5 PUBLIC COMMENT
Charles Esler thanked the Mayor’s Office on Disability (MOD) for its assistance in helping him to have his service animal in the SRO (single room occupancy) hotel he resides in. Mr. Esler informed the Council that he was served an eviction notice today inspite of that. Susan Mizner, Director of MOD, responded that MOD would provide him with additional assistance in this matter.
Walter Park, Chair of the Access Appeals Commission provided a brief update on destination-based elevators. The Commission is reviewing the 5th draft on the local standards to require accessibility in elevators for people with disabilities. Mr. Park said that the Commission is continuing to review the draft. For updates and/or questions about this matter, e-mail [email protected]
Ed Evans spoke about his concerns regarding the removal of 2 bus stops on Geary Boulevard due to complaints of drug trafficking in those areas. Mr. Evans noted that there continues to be drug activity and said that he would like the bus stops to return to benefit seniors and people with disabilities. He also expressed his frustration that bus operators let others board before allowing people with mobility devices to board. Co-Chair Woodall urged the public to continue to use 311 to file complaints with MTA.
Phyllis Porter expressed her anger and frustration that she feels discriminated due to her being an African American and because of her disability.
6 REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
Co-Chair Woodall reported that Council Member Merrell has been appointed to be the Chair of the Disability Disaster Preparedness Committee. He encouraged the public to attend the monthly MDC Meetings to voice their concerns on issues facing the disability community.
7 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE ON DISABILITY
Ms. Mizner reported on the following:
* Economic Stimulus Package – MOD has submitted requests for curb ramp construction and public right-of-way improvements in the economic stimulus package.
* Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Update - These dispensaries have been beneficial to people with disabilities, including those with cancer and immune system disorders to assist with chronic pain management and increasing appetite. MOD has been working closely with the owners of the dispensaries to make them architecturally accessible. All MCD’s that have been actively participating in the permit process are in line to get approvals.
* MOD Staff Update - Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director of Programmatic Access, is currently on medical leave; Ken Stein, Program Administrator for MOD, will continue to work for MOD instead of moving to DAAS; Carla Johnson, ADA Compliance Officer, recently joined MOD to assist with plan reviews and disaster preparedness.
8 UPDATE ON THE ADA TRANSITION PLANS AND DISABILITY COMMUNITY PRIORITIES GIVEN THE CURRENT BUDGET CRISIS. PRESENTATION BY JOHN PAUL SCOTT, MAYOR’S OFFICE ON DISABILITY.
Mr. Scott explained the American with Disabilities Act requires City governments to identify physical barriers to its programs, and create a funding schedule and timeline to remove those barriers. This is the City’s ADA Transition Plan for Facilities.
In 2000, the City began a new Transition Plan and conducted surveys on more than 700 facilities. The projected cost to remove all barriers was more than $121 million dollars. In 2004, John Scott conducted a comprehensive re-evaluation of the Transition Plan, allocating work to Enterprise Departments and departments with bond money. The remaining work to be funded through the city’s General Fund was only $26 million for 83 projects.
Overall, the City has completed 89% of the work identified in the initial Transition Plan. The work identified for General Fund financing has proceeded on track, but more slowly, with 49% completed. The plan is affected by the current economic situation. Due to budget cuts, MOD is looking at reducing the ’08-’09 capital budget for the ADA plan for facilities. It will not be eliminating it, but stretching it over a longer period of time. MOD is still working with the Department of Public Works to secure funding for curb ramps and sidewalks.
9 TRAINING ON ARCHITECTURAL ACCESS REQUIREMENTS, AND UPCOMING CHANGES IN THE CODE. PRESENTATION BY JOHN PAUL SCOTT, MAYOR’S OFFICE ON DISABILITY.
Mr. Scott provided a list of codes and new accessibility standards to be enacted in the near future. He pointed out that the ADA and accessibility guidelines are not building codes, but civil right laws. These codes include “ANSI” (American National Standards Institute), an access standard for commercial buildings and facilities with some limited application for housing; “ABA” (Architectural Barriers Act); and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act which only provides for limited numbers of accessible housing units and provides nationwide application when an entity builds housing with Federal funds.
Mr. Scott explained that the original ADA/ABA did not include an accessibility standard. However, the new 2009 ADA/ABA provides a uniform accessibility standard for all state and local governments as well as commercial facilities. Among other things, it combines all Federal standards into one document; limits the exceptions for alterations; increases the number of accessible van spaces; creates a dimensional scale to include more reach ranges and sizes suitable to women and children; and provides alterations on van spaces, dimensional scale, unisex toilet, and reach ranges. In addition, it creates visual cues to improve signage for the blind and low visions communities.
Mr. Scott noted that there are upcoming changes in the code with new standards for judicial facilities, recreation routes, playgrounds, swimming pools, boating and fishing docks and piers; golf and miniature golf; amusement rides and future public rights-of-way, passenger vessels and cruise ships; and transportation vehicles.
10 REPORT FROM THE PHYSICAL ACCESS COMMITTEE
Howard Chabner, Chair of the PhAC, reported that the committee has been discussing the ADA Transition Plan and how the budget cuts affect it. The committee also invited several staff from the Transbay Joint Powers Authority to speak to them about The Transbay Center. It is a temporary terminal, a five-year project that includes architectural access, and is currently near the end of the schematic design phase. Mr. Chabner reported that there was also an introductory conference call with two access consultants from two architectural firms working on the Transbay Center. They are seeking input from the disability community. He noted that some of the agenda items for future meetings include shared public rights of way, update on the San Francisco General Hospital rebuild, and an update on Recreation and Park bond projects.
11 PUBLIC COMMENT
William Farrell expressed his concern about the State budget cuts affecting people with disabilities in health services, affordable housing, and employment.
12 CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence.
13 COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Co-Chair Woodall made a closing comment that “we will keep positive thoughts and positive energies flowing to Juls (Co-Chair Parsons) and Joanna” (Deputy Director for Programmatic Access) during their time of illness.
14 ADJOURNMENT
Co-Chair Woodall adjourned the meeting at 3:50PM.
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