HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-05-COD-min Commission on Disability
Meeting Minutes
February 5, 2015
Members Present Victoria Buckley, Linda Vine (Assistant Town Manager), Julie Miller, Len
Morse-Fortier, Janet Perry, Michael Martignetti, Fred Lonardo (Building Commissioner)
Members Absent Susan Cusack, Nate Finch, Francine Stieglitz
Liaisons Absent Joe Pato (BOS), Harry MacKay (COA)
Guest Shaun Grady, Lexington resident and representative for the Photovoice Project
1 Minutes from the January meeting were unanimously approved.
2 Update on Photovoice
A The Photovoice exhibit opened at the library on Tuesday, with low attendance but the
posters will be up all month. Shaun Grady and Julie Miller are featured in the project.
The project highlights individuals, who have neurological disorders or traumatic brain
injury, and the obstacles that they face within the community The exhibit was seen by
Victoria who stated that the posters are very impressive and moving. Community leaders
and other individuals, who have a voice in effecting change and increasing community
awareness, are invited to a stakeholders meeting that will be held on February 26th There
was also discussion about showing the posters on Discovery Day
B Laura Lorenz is applying for a second grant from the Dana Home Foundation to do a
collaborative project with the Commission on Disability and COA One suggestion was
to form dyads of individuals who are elderly and/or have disabilities paired with people
who traditionally do not think they have much in common, like young mothers with
strollers The theme would be community integration and inclusion to coincide with
opening an inclusive new Community Center
3 Discovery Day - Members need an update from Francine who is checking to see if we
can have a booth.
4 Town Meeting Warrant - Article 4 which pertains to brick pathways will be presented at
the second Special Town Meeting. The warrant reads "To see if the Town will vote to
either amend the Code of the Town of Lexington, or request the Board of Selectmen to
establish a policy, to specify appropriate materials be used for public pathways, both new
and reconstructed, to ensure safe passage for citizens who have trouble traversing uneven
surfaces, or act in any other manner in relation thereto" Linda Vine explained that the
Board of Selectmen is sponsoring the article, and that the Commission should draft a
motion that will then be reviewed by Town Counsel Sue Cusack contacted Montgomery
County for their wording and forwarded it to members of the Commission. The
Montgomery wording was read aloud for review, as follows
Resolution. 16-931
introduced, bebruary 24 2009
Adopted: April,21 2009
COUNTY CO UN CIL
FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY,MARYLAND
By.Councilmembers Floreen, kndrews,Elrich,Ervin,Leventhal and Trachtenberg
SUBJECT Policy Regarding the Use of Bruck and Other Pavements in the Public Right-of-Way
Background
1 The Commission on People with Disabilities has noted that wheelchair users and others with
limited mobility find pavements of brick, chamfered and cobblestone pavers, and stamped
concrete to be extremely difficult to travel over and can increase injuries due to falls. The
Commission states that these pavements create harriers for people with mobility and visual
disabilities.
2 The County Department of Transportation has reported that brick pavements are more difficult
and costly to maintain than concrete or asphalt surfaces.
Action
The County Council for Montgomery County approves the following resolution
Chamfered and cobblestone pavers and stamped concrete may continue to be used in
public rights of way as edge treatments and decorative elements, but they must no longer be
installed in the paths of travel in the public right of way in Montgomery County,unless they are
included in a County capital improvement for which construction funds have been appropriated
prior to February 24,2009 or they are included in a requirement for a project plan, subdivision
or site plan approved prior to February 24 2009
Brick pavements may he constructed or substantially replaced in the paths of travel in
public rights-of-way as long as they are installed according to specifications to be developed by
the Department of Transportation that are in accordance with the Bethesda Streetscape
Standards. The specific installation requirements must he included on the plans required for
permits for brick pavement installation in public rights-of-way Brick pavements may be
installed only in urban districts charged with maintaining them or where there is a permanent
maintenance and liability agreement in effect that provides for their maintenance. These
provisions apply to any County capital improvement for which construction funds are
appropriated on or after Febniary 24 2009 and to any brick pavements required in a project
plan,subdivision or site plan approved on or after February 24 2009
This is a correct copy of Council action.
Linda M.Lauer Clerk of the Council
There was general agreement that the motion wording could draw on the Montgomery
Resolution wording but that it should be shortened. Linda Vine requested that the Commission
write a draft that she could forward to Town Counsel Victona and Len will work on a draft as
soon as possible
5 Other issues for Town Meeting—Linda Vine informed members that Karen Simmons,
Director of Recreation, would like to come to our March meeting. She is asking Town
Meeting to approve funds to do an ADA study of all parks and playgrounds Members
want to see all school playgrounds accessible first and wonder how extensive the rest of
the list needs to be Victoria will invite Karen to the March meeting.
6 New business —Fred Lonardo mentioned that Moon Hill is looking to upgrade their pool
and that he suggested that they talk to the Commission. Victoria asked Fred to encourage
the people planning the renovations to look at the Paint Rock Pool in the Turning Mill
area since they did a good job making their pool accessible
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 5th at 5 45pm in the Parker Room, G-15 of
the Town Hall
Meeting was adjourned at 6 45 pm
Minutes respectively submitted by Victoria Buckley