Title
Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting of June 7, 2023.
Body
QUORUM:
Quorum was
STAFF:
Raquel Elejabarrieta - Human Resources Director
Eglys Hernandez, Human Resources
Catie Hastings - Park & Recreation - D.E.I. Coordinator
Vivian Pires - Parks & Recreation P/T D.E.I. Counselor
GUEST:
CITIZEN ADVISORS:
PUBLIC GUEST:
CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting was called to order 10:00am
MEETING ABSENCE:
Blake Sando
Samantha Duran
MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL:
May 3, 2023
Motion by: Philippa Milne / 2nd Haley Moss / All approved unanimously
SECRETARY’S REPORT: None
BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Scheduling of July 2023 meeting - Ms. Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she believes it would be best to hold July meeting due to August being more of a month where families travel. Board agreed to schedule meeting for July 5, 2023.
Disability Acceptance Month October 2023
Ms. Palacio-Pike spoke of upcoming event Ms. Milne has been providing updates on and how it has been the start of many more ideas. Ms. Palacio-Pike advised board of a runway show held at Wynwood where the models participating were people with disabilities. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she shared this information as well for other folks such as the Coral Gables Museum, which have expressed interest in perhaps having a similar event as well as other entities. Discussion was conducted regarding store fronts. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised of the city’s plans to take pictures of people with disabilities doing various activities throughout the city to be utilized for promoting of upcoming events.
Discussion regarding what type of people would be used for the pictures. Ms. Palacio-Pike spoke regarding how to best include people with invisible disabilities. Ms. Liebl spoke regarding perhaps including a #hashtag to identify being inclusive to all disabilities, including invisible ones.
Ms. Milne advised of a t-shirt worn by Starbucks baristas regarding their disability program stating they are a disability activist which was worn during the month and perhaps the city can have something like this available which can be worn by the employees. Ms. Milne stated she would be contacting Mr. Bertini to find out for what month will his event take place and will speak with him perhaps including language which will also reflect those without visible disabilities.
It was discussed Ms. Liebl will approach the folks from the runway show regarding perhaps doing one within the city and provide further information in July meeting. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised to find out what they would need to better determine how city can provide assistance.
OLD BUSINESS:
Parks & Recreation - Wheelchairs for Swings
Ms. Hastings advised at this time there was no update information due to difficulties encountered when trying to communicate with suppliers and will try to provide update at later day.
Update regarding Audible Crosswalks / Path Granada Golf Course - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Audible Crosswalks
Ms. Elejabarrieta provided update on behalf of Ms. DeZayas. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised thou unable to mention all the crosswalks by name, all intersections on LeJeune from Coral Way to Miracle Mile were looked into being created as audible crosswalks. City determined to commence on the LeJeune side, which those are regulated by DOT, and nothing has change from last update. DOT will review the city’s request and provide their recommendations in July.
Path Granada Golf Course - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised regarding traffic circle being placed by county at the Anderson side, this request will be going forward to the city commission at upcoming Tuesday, June 13, 2023, meeting. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated this request requires an amendment to the historic street grid for it to be installed and hopefully this gets approved. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated once this is approved, the county receives the go ahead to go through procurement process and expect to commence construction within the next six to twelve months.
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised regarding the Segovia side, that the county provided some comments which the city addressed, and it is anticipated construction will begin within the next three months on the Segovia side, connecting it to the existing pathway. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated everything is moving as planned, no changes.
Update from Parks & Recreation regarding 4th of July - Ms. Hastings
Ms. Hastings provided update regarding the sensory sensitive 4th of July event taking place and advised only seven people have signed up. Ms. Hastings stated it is open to all ages. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised the flyer will be once again provided for distribution.
South Miami Saturday Sensory Lab - Ms. Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike advised board the South Miami Saturday Sensory Lab will be taking place again on June 17, 2023. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated if it would be possible for board to discuss perhaps having something like this in the Coral Gables area. Ms. Milne spoke regarding high cost of these types of programs and if there would be anyway to have them available at lower cost. Ms. Palacio-Pike asked if it would be possible for city to provide a space for someone who has a license to conduct service can do so. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised this would require further research. Ms. Hastings explained that when “free” programing was provided, enrollment has been low, however once a small fee was put into place, enrollment was higher. Ms. Hastings stated the feedback received from people interested in the programming was that they would prefer a small fee to be put into place.
Accessibility in Garages - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised under city’s transition plan, all city garages have been audited and issues being addressed. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated regarding garage discussed by Commissioner Anderson, garage one, elevator has not been functioning for a very long time, however building was to be demolished and not sure if city would like to dedicate resources to the repair. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated additional accessible parking spaces will be added. Ms. Dietz asked reference timeline when more accessible spots will be added, and Ms. Elejabarrieta advised she will research and advise.
Ms. Dietz stated the sidewalk made across the street from City Hall is amazing. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated it was made to be able to get more use of the area with upcoming events. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised the availability of the application Aira, aiding for blind people.
Ms. Palacio-Pike advised board of pediatric care available within the city accepting Medicaid, Little Giants PPEC.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
NEXT MEETING: July 5, 2023
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned 11:00am
Recommended Action