Title
Coral Gables Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting of March 1, 2023.
Body
CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting was called to order 8:01am
MEETING ABSENCE:
Haley Moss
MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL:
March 1, 2023
Motion by: Blake Sando / 2nd Samantha Duran / All approved unanimously
SECRETARY’S REPORT: None
BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Moon Over Miami - Ms. Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike advised the board of this upcoming event and had reached out to parks department regarding making it accessible.
OLD BUSINESS:
Audible Crosswalks & Granada Golf Course - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta introduced Ms. DeZayas; the city’s Sr. Transportation Engineer and advised after a brief recap she will have Ms. DeZayas address board. Ms. Elejabarrieta provided board with a recap regarding requests for audible cross walks on Miracle Mile. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised of past ongoing discussions with the county which had taken the position that the request had to be done by someone who was visually impaired or needed the actual accommodation. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised at that time the Transportation Advisory Board proceeded with the request; however, the county identified the request was not from a person who was visually impaired, and it was required to be from a person who needed accommodation. Ms. Elejabarrieta spoke of a 2014 email regarding Light House for the Blind to request it, however no further correspondence regarding if this was done has been located and no other action was done.
Ms. Elejabarrieta stated this subject came up once again approximately six months ago and Ms. DeZayas reached out to the county. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated Ms. DeZayas advised the county’s position remains the same. Ms. Elejabarrieta explained that if it were to be completed, it would be via the city. Ms. DeZayas then provided information regarding what is needed to proceed and the cost of the project.
Ms. Dietz stated there was discrepancy in the history provided, such as this has been personally requested by multiple residents of the city at public meetings and it was promised and budgeted during the design of streetscape.
Dr. Janice Bartleson stated this request was made many years ago which resulted in one being installed in Biltmore Way and on LeJeune. Dr. Bartleson stated she agrees with the statement that it had been promised during the renovation of miracle mile. Dr. Bartleson advised three years ago on Channel 10, the city promised they would address her request for additional audible signals, and nothing has been done.
Ms. Elejabarrieta stated she thought this would be a simpler issue, however cost, determination of which intersections would be best and involvement of multiple agencies, requires the city to further conduct review.
Ms. DeZayas stated knowing now this history, she will commence looking into what is available in the streetscape project plans, review what has been done already, see how this can be best moved forward as well as which would be the appropriate locations. Dr. Bartleson stated great locations would be the major intersections such as Andalusia/LeJeune, Alhambra/LeJeune, and Ponce/Miracle Mile.
Commissioner Anderson stated several years ago, former city manager was addressed regarding these audible signals. Commissioner Anderson spoke regarding Valencia/LeJeune along with others mentioned. Commissioner Anderson advised of the dangers in the Valencia/LeJeune location. Ms. DeZayas advised this location will be reviewed as well.
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised if the board would agree, this item will be added as a standing item on agendas going forth to discuss updates and for board to provide further input, assuring project is moving forward. Mr. Sando asked if the board is consensus regarding intersections to be considered.
Mr. Dietz stated it is important to have Dr. Bartleson be part of ongoing discussions regarding audible crosswalks and the project going forth.
Ms. Elejabarrieta stated discussion will be placed on April agenda as well as going forth and will be set as a priority for board.
Granada Golf Course Path - Ms. DeZayas
Ms. DeZayas addressed the board regarding an ongoing project in conjunction with the county. Ms. DeZayas advised the county will be installing a roundabout at the intersection of Coral Way/Anderson. Ms. DeZayas advised in conjunction with this, the city will be installing new crosswalks at all four legs of intersection, north, south, east, and west. Ms. DeZayas advised there will also now be a traffic control measure at this intersection. Ms. DeZayas stated the last information she received was that this project was supposed to commence at the end of this year.
Ms. DeZayas stated to obtain additional crosswalks to provide accessibility to the path, the city is currently working on a separate project with a consultant regarding design of addition of crosswalk on northwest corner Coral Way/Segovia.
Mr. Dietz stated the pathway on Coral Way side of golf course was constructed without any thought of accessibility. Mr. Dietz stated on the connection proposed for Segovia/Greenway on Coral Way is dangerous to begin with. Mr. Dietz stated that there should be a crosswalk on N. Greenway at the end of the path as he believes that is much safer. He believes that the residents in that area do not want a pathway going through their easement. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated that the reason why a crosswalk cannot occur on N. Greenway is because there is not enough space at the end of the current pathway. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated by recommendation of city engineers and professionals that it is not safe to place a crosswalk in that area. Ms. DeZayas advised that the Florida Design Manual stipulates that if there is a plan to place a mid-block crosswalk there needs to be at least a 300ft distance. Ms. DeZayas stated in her engineering judgment, it is always safer to have an accessible crosswalk where there is a stop control (such as in Segovia and Coral Way) versus an uncontrolled crosswalk. Ms. DeZayas stated the location identified; someone crossing does not need to go into the circle if they would like to access the sidewalk on the north side. Ms. DeZayas stated there is a little island, crosswalk is being placed where there is currently a stop signal, the patrons can go onto the island and then cross the street on the north side without going into circle, accessing the North Green Way side. Ms. DeZayas stated there is currently a stop sign therefore vehicles would have to stop.
Mr. Dietz stated he feels there is no one that can look at that traffic circle and state it is safe. Mr. Dietz stated he himself avoids the area.
Ms. Samantha Duran spoke regarding difficulties she has had regarding mobility in a wheelchair as well as not been seen due to height when in a wheelchair. Commissioner Anderson spoke as well of her sister being struck by a vehicle due to not being seen by vehicle.
Commissioner Anderson spoke regarding having flashing lights in asphalt at crosswalks and perhaps having them be part of existing crosswalks.
Chamber April Breakfast - Ms. Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she is concerned regarding an upcoming event and who should be the speaker at this upcoming breakfast. Ms. Palacio-Pike spoke to staff having reached out to Miami Dade County School Board regarding one of their representatives speaking at breakfast about Project Victory, but no response has been received. Ms. Palacio-Pike also suggested perhaps having Ms. Haley and Ms. Shelly Baer conduct a presentation like that done at the Director’s training session. Ms. Liebl spoke regarding creating something such as a flyer which can be placed on their table to take with them. Dr. Durocher stated UM would be glad to assist with the flyers, however they do need ample notice.
Parks & Recreation Update: Ms. Catie Hastings
Ms. Hastings advised the board of parallel event which will be held on 4th of July for individuals with disabilities in conjunction with the actual 4th of July event.
Project Victory New Hire - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised the board that a participant of Project Victory has been offered an employment opportunity with the City of Coral Gables Human Resources Department. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised he is currently in the process and will commence shortly after background has been completed.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
NEXT MEETING: April 5, 2023
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 11:05am