COMMISSION ON INCLUSION AND ADAPTIVE LIVING
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2024
CITY HALL STAFF CONFERENCE ROOM
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
9:00 A.M.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2024
CITY HALL STAFF CONFERENCE ROOM
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
9:00 A.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Chair Randall called the meeting to order at 9:14 a.m.
2.
Roll Call
NOTE: One or more Commission members may be in attendance through other technological means.
NOTE: One or more Commission members may be in attendance through other technological means.
| PRESENT: CHAIR RANDALL COMMISSIONER BECKER COMMISSIONER DORMAN COMMISSIONER EISENBERG COMMISSIONER PURRINGTON COMMISSIONER SIMUKONDA COMMISSIONER SMITH |
ABSENT: |
3.
Recommended Protocol for Members and Other Participants
All commissioners should have their microphones on mute to keep the background noise out of the chat room. The chair of the meeting should ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak if they would like. Commissioners should use the chat function to inform the Chair they would like to make a statement and the Chair will announce the Commissioners to speak in the order they appear in the chat.
All commissioners should have their microphones on mute to keep the background noise out of the chat room. The chair of the meeting should ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak if they would like. Commissioners should use the chat function to inform the Chair they would like to make a statement and the Chair will announce the Commissioners to speak in the order they appear in the chat.
4.
Discussion and Development of Commission Work Program and Areas of Focus
On-Demand Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles: The commission discussed the lack of on-demand which impacts over 3,000 residents. While ParaTransit exists, service gaps remain, and with no current taxi service is providing this option. There is an effort to seek interest from private agencies to supply a wheelchair-accessible vehicle and ADA-certified drivers. With eight letters of support already secured, the Commission plans to request a City Council presentation in October, aligning with Disability Awareness Month, to raise awareness and encourage participation.
Disabled Representation in City Recruitment: The commission discussed the need for an emphasis on increasing representation of differently abled individuals in City staff. Few employees disclose disabilities on the City’s annual survey, raising concerns about underrepresentation or negative perceptions of reporting. The Commission suggests reviewing survey results with Human Resources, addressing confidentiality, accessibility in recruitment, inclusive messaging, and exploring partnerships and training opportunities.
Sidewalk and Street Accessibility: The commission discussed concerns about sidewalk and street accessibility, including the need for pedestrian walkways and signaling devices. There are ongoing concerns about issues like snow, trash cans, shrubs, and vehicles blocking pathways, but reports to Code Compliance and the Police Department are rarely resolved or followed up on. They are also concerned about snow plowing operations and conditions that prevent access to obtain medical and emergency services. The commission is exploring ways to improve reporting, enforcement, and education. They emphasized that sidewalk accessibility is a city responsibility, calling for more staff, better communication, and meaningful action to make the community more accessible. They plan to invite city staff to future meetings to address discuss the issues.
A break was held from 10:32 a.m. through 10:38 a.m.
Accessibility Audits: The commission discussed the potential for conducting accessibility audits of public buildings to ensure inclusivity and compliance with ADA standards. They considered involving students for practical experience and suggested that an inclusion coordinator could facilitate this process.
Therapeutic Recreation: Commissioners Purrington and Smith are working on drafting a letter for therapeutic recreation, focusing on short and long-term goals for the city to enhance recreational programs inclusively. The commission will continue discussions with PROSE, emphasizing the need for accessible festivals and events, including ADA-compliant restrooms, unlocked city facilities, and temporary solutions like platforms for grassy areas at Wheeler Park. They recommend the City hire an Inclusion/ADA Coordinator to oversee accessibility across events, programming, volunteering, and recruitment. Expanding adaptive equipment and opportunities for participation is seen as a key step toward broader inclusion and growth.
Disability Awards Event: The commission would like to hold an awards event to honor members of the community who support inclusion. They discussed how the event could be structured. Commissioner Purrington suggested student involvement in planning the event.
Intergenerational Programs: Chair Randall raised the idea of intergenerational programs at Joe Montoya Senior Center, suggesting that such initiatives could foster community and inclusivity. The discussion highlighted the potential benefits of involving students from NAU in city recreation programs. Other communities offer stronger senior and intergenerational programs, and rebuilding ties with NAU could help expand Flagstaff’s programming after challenges from the recession and pandemic. They also raised concerns about limited recreation center hours, noting the Youth Center is closed on weekends and the Aquaplex on Sundays.
Disabled Representation in City Recruitment: The commission discussed the need for an emphasis on increasing representation of differently abled individuals in City staff. Few employees disclose disabilities on the City’s annual survey, raising concerns about underrepresentation or negative perceptions of reporting. The Commission suggests reviewing survey results with Human Resources, addressing confidentiality, accessibility in recruitment, inclusive messaging, and exploring partnerships and training opportunities.
Sidewalk and Street Accessibility: The commission discussed concerns about sidewalk and street accessibility, including the need for pedestrian walkways and signaling devices. There are ongoing concerns about issues like snow, trash cans, shrubs, and vehicles blocking pathways, but reports to Code Compliance and the Police Department are rarely resolved or followed up on. They are also concerned about snow plowing operations and conditions that prevent access to obtain medical and emergency services. The commission is exploring ways to improve reporting, enforcement, and education. They emphasized that sidewalk accessibility is a city responsibility, calling for more staff, better communication, and meaningful action to make the community more accessible. They plan to invite city staff to future meetings to address discuss the issues.
A break was held from 10:32 a.m. through 10:38 a.m.
Accessibility Audits: The commission discussed the potential for conducting accessibility audits of public buildings to ensure inclusivity and compliance with ADA standards. They considered involving students for practical experience and suggested that an inclusion coordinator could facilitate this process.
Therapeutic Recreation: Commissioners Purrington and Smith are working on drafting a letter for therapeutic recreation, focusing on short and long-term goals for the city to enhance recreational programs inclusively. The commission will continue discussions with PROSE, emphasizing the need for accessible festivals and events, including ADA-compliant restrooms, unlocked city facilities, and temporary solutions like platforms for grassy areas at Wheeler Park. They recommend the City hire an Inclusion/ADA Coordinator to oversee accessibility across events, programming, volunteering, and recruitment. Expanding adaptive equipment and opportunities for participation is seen as a key step toward broader inclusion and growth.
Disability Awards Event: The commission would like to hold an awards event to honor members of the community who support inclusion. They discussed how the event could be structured. Commissioner Purrington suggested student involvement in planning the event.
Intergenerational Programs: Chair Randall raised the idea of intergenerational programs at Joe Montoya Senior Center, suggesting that such initiatives could foster community and inclusivity. The discussion highlighted the potential benefits of involving students from NAU in city recreation programs. Other communities offer stronger senior and intergenerational programs, and rebuilding ties with NAU could help expand Flagstaff’s programming after challenges from the recession and pandemic. They also raised concerns about limited recreation center hours, noting the Youth Center is closed on weekends and the Aquaplex on Sundays.
5.
Adjournment
The Commission on Inclusion and Adaptive Living meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.