OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
117 WEST DUVAL STREET, SUITE 425
4TH FLOOR, CITY HALL
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32202
904-630-1377
Transportation, Energy
and Utilities Committee Special Meeting Minutes
May 15, 2017
Immediately following
2:00 p.m. regular committee meeting
Topic: Projects to
improve intersections and crosswalks for the disabled community and
transportation for handicapped and elderly
Location: City
Council Chamber, 1st floor, City Hall – St. James Building, 117
West Duval Street
In attendance: Council Members Al Ferraro (Chair), Greg Anderson, John
Crescimbeni, Doyle Carter, Anna Lopez Brosche
Also: Paige Johnston - Office of General
Counsel; Kim Taylor - Council Auditor’s Office, Jordan Elsbury - Mayor’s
Office, Colleen Hampsey - Council Research Division; Samantha
Lane -Legislative Services Division.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 3:13
p.m.
Kevin
McDaniel, Chief ADA Coordinator delivered a presentation on disability projects
within the city. Mr. Daniel spoke about the importance of effective
communication with persons with disabilities in the sidewalk/street crossing
environment in order to implement regulations for Title II of the ADA, which
covers state and local governments. Effective methods of communication include:
Detectable warning mats at pedestrian street crossings, Delineators at flush
transitions where pedestrian crossing is not intended, Accessible Pedestrian
Signals, and Wayfinding Technology for Visually-Impaired. Mr. Daniel also
explained the safety concerns associated with pedestrian access to the right of
way, where protruding objects act as barriers for a person who is visually or
physically impaired.
Mr.
Daniel discussed the White Cane Law, which stipulates that “It is unlawful for
any person, unless totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated, while
on any public street or highway, to carry in a raised or extended position a
cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red”. The
law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at intersections if a
pedestrian is crossing.
Mr.
Daniel spoke briefly about the organizational structure of the Disabled
Services Department. The Chief ADA Coordinator is charged with the coordination
with all City departments and agencies to ensure compliance and provides a
check and balance process to City partners and other Departments with ADA
Compliance under Title II and Title III of the ADA. The ADA Project Manager conducts
field inspections of city-owned facilities and properties during new
construction, reviews construction plans for compliance, and manages compliance
documents and submits reports to the Department of Justice. The Disabled
Services Division also identifies grants to improve accessibility throughout
the City’s streets and crossings, to include adding Accessible Pedestrian
Signals and tactile and Braille communication as needed.
The
meeting was adjourned at 3:43 p.m.
Colleen
Hampsey, Council Research Division
Posted
5.17.17 12:00 p.m.