City of Santa Fe Mayor's Committee on Disability met Feb. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
10:02 AM
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Member Aurore Bleck
Member Hope Reed
Member Kendra Garcia
Member Kathlyne Gish
Member Pam Parfitt
Member Meriam Jawhar
Member Jose "Eli" Fresquez
Members Excused:
Member Victor Hughes
Member Angelique Montoya-Chavez
Others Attending:
Tom Graham, ADA Coordinator
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Member Parfitt moved, seconded by Member Garcia, to approve the agenda as presented.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Bleck, Member Reed, Member Garcia, Member Gish, Member Parfitt, Member Fresquez
Against: None
Abstain: None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. January 20, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Member Bleck wanted to add a line stating, “Member Bleck suggested that some motorists might want to brag about how high they could get the meter to go.” to the end of the item 7a minutes.
Member Bleck and Chair Gish pointed out 3 typographical errors.
Member Parfitt requested to change the amount referenced in item 4 of the first paragraph in item 7a from $30K to $20K.
All of these changes will be made to the final copy of the 1.20.22 meeting minutes before they are signed by Chair Gish and uploaded to the website.
MOTION: Member Bleck moved, seconded by Member Garcia, to approve the minutes as amended.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Bleck, Member Reed, Member Garcia, Member Gish, Member Parfitt, Member Fresquez
Against: None
Abstain: None
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS (15 MINUTES TOTAL)
a. Public Comments from Website
There are no members of the public present in the Attendee Room and no public comments were posted to the website.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. None
7. ACTION ITEMS: DISCUSSION
a. Noise Ordinance issues that require enforcement of current requirements (Pam Parfitt)
Member Parfitt summarized correspondence from Mayor Webber, Councilor Lindell and Director Ochoa of the Department of Health and Safety. She relayed that everybody is aware of the issue and looking into different options, but are running into roadblocks everywhere. She stated that Councilor Lindell has already introduced a proposal for changing the existing ordinance, but has run into opposition concerning increasing fines which is viewed as discriminatory.
Member Parfitt suggests re-writing the letter to focus on getting the Sound Level Meter (SLM) into the hands of our police officers and training them to use them, so that citations are enforceable in a court of law.
Member Parfitt explained that in addition to the sound created by loud vehicles, many of the events that are City sponsored and occurring in the Plaza, are exceeding safe levels of hearing. She also mentioned that the Noise Ordinance requires signage about the harm to people’s hearing that can be experienced over 100 decibels, but is vague in the requirements and not enforced.
Member Bleck stated that increasing fines in New Mexico can be problematic because of the poverty crisis in New Mexico. She also mentioned that getting caught may be considered a mark of honor to some. Member Bleck asked if this should be discussed with the Mayor by the entire MCD and said that the language needs to be included in City contracts with bands performing at City venues requiring adherence to levels and requiring signage warning people of the hazards.
Member Reed and Member Bleck discussed the benefits of having electronically metered signage such as used for traffic speed signage and Member Parfitt said she would check into it, but she’s not sure how possible it would be to include into a fun event on the Plaza.
Member Fresquez mentioned that Member Parfitt could take her concerns to the Quality of Life (QOL) Committee and see if they’re amenable to join forces and approve our letter to send out jointly from the MCD and the QOL Committees. Vice Chair Garcia and Mr. Graham provided information concerning the QOL meeting times and members. Member Fresquez, Member Bleck and Mr. Graham suggested that Member Parfitt could either contact the Chair of the QOL Committee to get on their agenda or participate through Public Comment, but the preferred method would be to get on the agenda and discuss the letter to see if they would be willing to send it as a joint committee effort.
Member Parfitt agreed to contact the QOL Committee for their input to improve people’s hearing quality at City Sponsored events.
Chair Gish agreed to striking the item in the letter concerning modifications to the ordinance and suggested that the letter include language about how this issue impacts people’s lives and creates disabilities. Chair Gish instructed Member Parfitt to move forward as the sub-committee and report back to the MCD, in addition to drafting the letter that can be voted on at the next MCD meeting.
b. Continuation reviewing 2019-2020 MCD Priorities and process to update priorities for 2022-2023 (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish requested a paragraph from each sub-committee Chair describing information about what the sub-committee does in relation to why they were formed and who could be contacted about the issue. She asked for discussion about the current draft priorities and edits required.
Member Bleck identified duplication and overlap of some Transportation Sub-committee’s priorities. She also provided clarification of a specific barrier on the Cerrillos sidewalk near the mall.
Mr. Graham offered that the barrier in question is included in the design plans for the Camino Entrada traffic circle that will be constructed soon.
Chair Gish said that it would remain on the priorities until construction removes the barrier and Vice Chair Garcia suggested noting it as “Pending – In Progress”.
Unassigned tasks were discussed where to organize them within the respective sub-committees and it was determined that the Transition Plan issues would be covered by the entire MCD with Chair Gish as the central contact, who can then collaborate with Mr. Graham in addressing them.
Mr. Graham stated to the entire MCD that any City barriers should be reported to him and he will contact the appropriate personnel to go about removing them.
Member Reed asked about the Transition Plan updates and whether that would require being done by an independent contractor.
Mr. Graham stated that before the pandemic began, he was contacting the Architectural Firm that provided the most recent Transition Plan about providing a proposal to update that Public Right-of-Way and City facilities, but of course that had been put on hold. He is now looking at the possibilities available to how this can be made to publicly update the software to track barriers that have been addressed through past projects done since its inception and will be done going forward as projects are completed and barriers removed. An overall survey will be requested again when time, circumstances and budget permit.
Member Parfitt asked about the maintenance of accessible elements that have deteriorated since original construction.
Mr. Graham said that accessible elements are required to be maintained and if anyone encounters any accessible elements at City facilities that are in disrepair, to please notify him with a description and pictures if able to provide them.
In regard to the educational aspect of the priorities, Member Parfitt offered to reach out to Andy Winnegar, a reporter for the New Mexican, about doing articles about people with disabilities in order to educate the general public and support the disabled communities.
Chair Gish will edit the list as discussed during this meeting and will bring it to the next MCD meeting to vote for adoption at that time.
c. Mayor’s Committee on Disability (MCD) webpage – review and update content (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish requested feedback about what has been presented in the packet so far.
Member Bleck said that being general is more inclusive and asked about the language regarding one citizen advocate.
Chair Gish asked Mr. Graham if that individual has been identified.
Mr. Graham said that he considers each member of the MCD a citizen advocate and said that language may need to be reworded in the new version of the MCD webpage.
Member Reed said we should include photos of things being done in town related to accessibility, such as the Water Street Restrooms that are under construction.
Mr. Graham mentioned that including current events on the webpage would require frequent maintenance to the website and offered to assist with an MCD member designated to ensure it stays current.
Member Reed also mentioned it could include Member Parfitt’s work with hearing issues, etc. could be updated monthly.
Chair Gish agreed that this is a good way to help others understand what the MCD does.
Member Reed believes there is a downtown area parking map of accessible spaces that could be linked and special events can also be linked to provide information about parking and restrooms.
Chair Gish discussed separate pages for MCD meetings information on one page linked from the main page. She would also like to add the dates that members were appointed to the MCD and a short biography about each member (if desired by the member, but not required). Another idea is possibly a link to a sub-committees page that describes what each sub-committee does and their priority items, etc.
Member Reed stated that a general statement about each sub-committee is a good idea.
Vice Chair Garcia said that she feels links are good ideas for simplifying navigation to areas of specific concern (less overwhelming). She likes bullet points for a step by step process of navigation.
Member Jawhar wrote that she thinks this is a good way for community members to know who they can contact relative to their issue.
Member Reed asked who maintains our webpage (Mr. Graham raised his hand) and asked if he received questions about the website now and doesn’t this create more work for him.
Mr. Graham identified that his contact information is all over the City webpages (not just the ADA pages that he controls) and that he can and has received questions as well as addressed concerns previously and will continue doing so.
Member Fresquez reiterated that small font and color contrast issues for low vision and color blindness are present in the City webpages and that he just wanted to flag these issues for correction.
Chair Gish stated that for these reasons, the entire city website should be upgraded to current accessible standards. She said she would reach out to Vice Chair Garcia concerning bullet points on the MCD pages.
Vice Chair Garcia said she would like to see a more updated picture than the one used representing the MCD on the new page.
Chair Gish stated that she too would like to possibly include a group photo or something more recent when able to do so in the future (post-pandemic). She intends to make edits discussed and make a final draft for vote approval by the MCD at the next meeting.
d. Discussion of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) training – Discussion of questions we need answers to (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish discussed her three questions and requested that MCD members Email her any additional questions or thoughts they may have regarding OMA in relation to the MCD meetings.
Her questions are:
1. Can a subcommittee chair contact each MCD member when doing research or getting feedback on a letter that was approved to be drafted during a meeting? (Things like assuring the content of the draft contains everything that was mentioned in the meeting).
2. Does a final draft of a letter have to be completed in written format and approved by vote, or can the proposed letter be approved, voted on, and sent in the interim between meetings without voting on the actual final draft.
3. How does a committee member receive accommodations? The OMA only states that guests to meetings will be accommodated, but nothing of the needs of committee members needing accommodations (like communication via email, etc).
Chair Gish mentioned that she viewed the archive online training provided by the Attorney General’s Office, but it did not address the concerns of the MCD.
Member Fresquez stated that the Attorney General’s Office has been very busy, but are offering training on February 25th to ask questions specific to our meetings. (Mr. Graham previously provided the registration information sent by Member Fresquez via Email to the MCD Members).
Vice Chair Garcia questioned whether she is allowed to communicate with Chair Gish to discuss issues.
Chair Gish informed Vice Chair Garcia that any members can communicate as long as there is not a quorum of members present.
Vice Chair Garcia requested confirmation of what is considered a quorum.
Chair Gish commented that for our committee (by statute) a quorum is achieved by 4 or more members.
8. OLD BUSINESS
A. MCD Sub-Committee Reports
Member Fresquez mentioned that he and Vice Chair Garcia worked on putting together a snow and ice removal information sheet that they sent to Mr. Graham and Brian Williams, the City’s Emergency Manager, who distributed through Notify Santa Fe to approximately 7,000 people. Mr Graham also provided an informational sheet to businesses. Member Fresquez expressed his gratitude to Mr. Williams for distributing this information.
Mr. Graham mentioned that his snow and ice removal information sheet was distributed through the Economic Development’s monthly newsletter to business owners. He also added a link to both of the information sheets on the Disability Resources webpage and expressed his gratitude to Member Fresquez and Vice Chair Garcia.
Member Bleck and Chair Gish thanked everybody involved and said great job.
Chair Gish stated that this reminded her to make note of linking Alert Santa Fe to the Disability Resources Webpage.
Mr. Graham is going to make this happen.
B. E-mails regarding MCD priority updates (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish received a response from Thomas Martinez, the Public Works Director of Operations and Maintenance, about the bus stop questions.
1. Second Street and Cerrillos Road Bus Stop. Fixing/replacing the currently inaccessible bus stop at Cerrillos Road and Second Street (service to Indian Hospital). The last update was that the project to fix the bus stop was awaiting BIA approval of the land use.
Reply: The second street stop is part of a larger plan connected to that stretch of Cerrillos road and is in the planning stages currently.
2. Bus stop benches. Adding benches where possible to bus stops that serve the elderly and people with disabilities, such as outside of medical service providers, and grocery stores. What plans exist to increase benches at bus stops, where none currently exist, and when?
Reply: We have some bus stop benches that we are working on a plan to put in place with more coming we are hopeful to revise that project in the next year but we are limited on our resources at the moment.
Chair Gish commented that this is a good time reach out and collaborate with Mr. Martinez to ensure that locations the MCD deems necessary are put on the list.
Member Bleck mentioned that it is normally request driven and the City has been pretty good at accommodating these requests.
Chair Gish commented that she requested bus stops to be provided at two locations in the past and the City was very responsive in a timely manner for both requests. She also stated that the previously mentioned responses were included in the packet as well.
9. MATTERS FROM STAFF
a. A link to the video recording of this meeting will be added to the Meeting Minutes for this meeting.
https://santafenm-gov.zoom.us/rec/share/IGunm7IV-8EjNiovCTMxfW2UToID5fmpq5oho7zhz8fVKfSjx5EKwQh4Oq157TOo.32b07-4x1EYJMZcY
(Passcode: mS7!oFk2)
10. MATTERS FROM THE COMMITTEE
Member Bleck stated that she filed a complaint with Constituent Services about an unusable disability parking space by the Co-op and got back a response that they had emergency approval to use the space because of COVID for outdoor seating.
Mr. Graham was told that the total number of disability parking spaces provided are in excess of the required amount, so they were able to use a disability parking space for outdoor seating and not be in violation of the required number of spaces provided.
11. NEXT MEETING: March 17 2022
12. ADJOURN
This venue is equipped with closed captions. Persons with disabilities in need of accommodations, contact the City Clerk’s office at 955-6521, five (5) working days prior to meeting date.
Adjourned at 12:09 PM
https://santafe.primegov.com/public/portal
