2002-12-18 - Commission for Residents with Disabilities - Minutes Board orCommission: ❑ commission on Residents With Disabilities
Document Type: 0 A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 12/18/2002
Type of Meeting: ❑ Special Meeting
MINUTES OF THE BUFFALO GROVE COMMISSION
FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MEETING
Special Meeting, December 18, 2002
I. Call to Order—The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.
IL Roll Call— Commissioners present included Chairman Kahen, Commissioners Chorney,
Dumrauf, Gottlieb, Morton, Sussman, Klassman, Verson, and Weiner. Also present were
Trustee liaison Berman and staff liaison Versten.
III. Approval of Minutes—A motion to approve the minutes of the 10/23 meeting was made
by Comm. Sussman and seconded by Comm. Gottlieb. Motion Carried.
IV. Chairman's Report— Chairman Kahen approved the request by the
Business/Community Awareness Sub-Committee to nominate Astro Amusement for the
Golden Bison Award for their years of contributions to the Fun and Food program during
Buffalo Grove Days.
Chairman Kahen noted that he had received a communique from David Kuriniec, a
young man who is active in disabilities issues. Mr. Kuriniec, who uses a wheelchair, has
offered to come and speak to a group.
Chairman Kahen noted the London School Bridge (over Dundee Rd. in Wheeling) was
the subject of another recent newspaper article, and that this repair project will now
NOT be moving forward.
Chairman Kahen recounted his conversation with David Robb, staff coordinator of the
disabilities program for the Village of Arlington Heights. Mr. Robb did not agree with
Chairman Kahen that the Arlington Heights Library should attempt some type of
accommodation for persons with disabilities who wait in long lines to check out books.
Buffalo Grove Postmaster Mike Wingstrom has left Rick a couple of nice voice mails in
response to the letter sent to him by Mark Weiner requesting that special
considerations for persons with disabilities waiting in long post office lines. Although
they have not yet been able to discuss the issue, Chairman Kahen anticipates that they
will have the chance some time soon after the holidays.
V. Commissioner's Reports - none
VI. Sub-Committee Reports—
Community Service and Accessibility Sub-Committee
Chairman Kahen updated the Commission on the plight of Marla Levy who has MS and
has been having trouble getting her scooter past the curb of her driveway in order to
get to the mail box stand, and to board the Pace bus, etc. Her homeowner's association
approved the curb cut she desires contingent upon the Village approving it. Rick will
follow up with Trustee Berman on working this through the proper permit, spec, code
and approval process.
Roberta Bronstein, an older resident with macular degeneration, contacted the Village
seeking information on programs for seniors and information on services related to the
visually impaired. Rick stated that he had provided her with contact info for Terri
Ebner, the Park District's senior program coordinator. He also asked Comm. Chorney
to call her to discuss her issues and offer information about pertinent resources.
Pam Palicko is a resident seeking employment assistance for her brother, who is
disabled. Rick will provide her with pertinent contact information.
Business/Community Awareness Sub-Committee - Commissioner Weiner is following up
with Walgreen's and Jewel on the shopper program. Mr. Versten supplied him with
contact information for the three Dominick's stores in Buffalo Grove.
Public Awareness Sub-Committee - Versten noted that Commissioner Spallone's article is
published in the Winter Newsletter and that the deadline for the spring newsletter is
mid-February. Commissioner Klassman will write an article on Buddy Baseball for the
upcoming issue.
Schools Sub-Committee - Commissioner Verson asked again whether Mr. Swieca had
reported anything in regard to restraints for transporting individuals in wheelchairs in
ambulances. Mr. Swieca is reviewing the materials with respect to applicability, cost,
and if they can be installed properly. Mr. Swieca will report at a future meeting.
Mr. Versten noted that Mr. Swieca has been unable to attend the last couple of meetings
due to emergency response and schedule conflicts. He will forward the questions to Mr.
Swieca.
Commissioner Verson is also awaiting to hear whether Mr. Swieca had reported
anything in regard to the need for the Fire Department to be aware of where children
with special needs gather in school emergencies or even how many children with special
needs are in each school. Fire Department Liaison Swieca had indicated in a prior
meeting that the Fire Department was not and that the schools were reluctant to
provide the information, and that the Fire Department also had trouble inspecting
schools for code compliance because the schools fall under state, not local, jurisdiction
despite their location within the village.
Commissioner Verson asked if the draft letter and survey she distributed at the last
meeting was moving forward. This letter concerns the emergency evacuation from the
schools of students with disabilities.
Mr. Versten is awaiting comments from Mr. Swieca of the Fire Department for review
and input on the letter, the survey, and the overall notion. If Mr. Swieca approves and
provides his input, Mr. Versten will arrange for the typing and sending of the letter.
Legislative Sub-Committee - No report.
VIL Items for Discussion—
Buddy Baseball — Chairman indicated that he and Commissioner Klassman need to meet
with Mike Rylko in the interest of moving forward; a funding strategy should be
developed and a multi-agency approach needs to be planned and coordinated.
Trustee Berman noted that the Village Board had recently been presented with a
request to relocate Safety Town to a spot behind the Alcott Center that may be ideal for
the type of baseball diamond that could also accommodate Buddy Baseball when it is not
used for Safety Town.
The adequacy of and access to handicapped parking and washroom facilities were briefly
discussed.
Chairman Kahen will E-mail Mike Rylko to discuss.
Commissioner Klassman expressed some concern about a perceived lack of awareness
about the Buddy Baseball program. Commissioner Verson suggested flyers and letters
be sent to the local school districts' special education coordinators. Commissioner
Sussman stated that Dr. Beth Dalton was the special ed. Coordinator for District 96.
Sue Gottlieb will e-mail Mr. Versten with contact info for District 103. Dean will write
an article for the spring Village News. Other possible promotional avenues were
discussed.
Surveys — Phil found all the surveys from 1999. Rick will distribute them for follow up
calls at the January meeting.
VIIL Staff Liaison Report — Mr. Versten noted that annual reports are due at the end of
January. Chairman Kahen noted that the two of them would meet next month on this
issue.
IX. Other Business—Trustee Berman updated the CRD on some items before the Plan
Commission.
X. Adjournment — Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Sussman and seconded by
Commissioner Weiner. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2002 at 7:00pm,lower level conference room, at Village Hall.