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2002-10-23 - Commission for Residents with Disabilities - Minutes Board orCommission: ❑ commission on Residents With Disabilities Document Type: 0 A e g nda 0 Minutes Meeting ate: 10/23/2002 Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE BUFFALO GROVE COMMISSION FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MEETING OCTOBER 23, 2002 I. Call to Order—The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. IL Roll Call— Commissioners present included Chairman Kahen, Commissioners Chorney, Holm, Sussman, Spallone, Verson, Weiner, and Gottlieb. Also present were Staff Liaison Summers and Fire Department Liaison Swieca. Michael Rylko of the Buffalo Grove Park District, Dean Klassman of Buddy Baseball, and Michael Minton a Democratic Candidate for the State Senate in the 27th District were also present at the meeting. III. Approval of Minutes—A motion to approve the minutes of the 9/25 meeting was made by Comm. Verson and seconded by Comm. Sussman. Motion Carried. IV. Chairman's Report— Chairman Kahen reported that Wheeling Township was hosting a "fun fair" for children with disabilities on Saturday, October 26. The flyer for the event was included in the agenda packet for tonight's meeting. Chairman Kahen indicated that Liaison Versten had sent the thank you letters to those who contributed to the Buffalo Grove Days Fun and Food program. Chairman Kahen reviewed an email from Sue Bauer, of Special Kids Special Families, indicating an upcoming meeting on December loth where the topic will be raising a disabled child and dealing with disabilities during the holiday season. Chairman Kahen informed the commission that he had met with Edward Schar, Village Building Commissioner, and reviewed the plans for the Family Entertainment Center in the Buffalo Grove Town Center. He indicated the plans did include ramps up to the concourse and down to the bowling lanes. Comm. Verson suggested the facility also purchase the bowling ball ramps used to allow individuals who cannot hold the ball the opportunity to bowl. Commissioners' Reports — Comm. Verson presented information regarding restraints for transporting individuals in wheelchairs in ambulances. Fire Department Liaison Swieca indicated typically these individuals are removed from the wheelchairs and transported, but he is aware of the specific situation that Comm. Verson is referring to in which some disabilities require that the individual remain in the wheelchair. Comm. Verson provided a packet of information she had researched on wheelchair restraints in ambulances to Fire Department Liaison Swieca. The materials will be reviewed with respect to applicability, cost, and if they can be installed while maintaining the ambulance a hermetically sealed and sterile. The discussion evolved into whether the Fire Department is 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 indicated 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. Michael Minton suggested checking with the Village of Mount Prospect regarding their requirements for schools to submit information on students with special needs. The commission agreed that they also needed to update the 911 survey typically placed in water bills to include question about where the children attended school and share this information with the Police and Fire Departments. Chairman Kahen asked if the village still had copy of the 911 surveys done two years ago. He suggested the updates should be done annually. He also asked if the survey could be announced or made available in as many formats as possible, including but not limited to: water bill mailing, non-water bill customer mailings, the village newsletter, website and channel 6. Chairman Kahen indicated he would like a copy of the previous version of the survey attached to the next meeting agenda and included as an item for discussion. VI. Sub-Committee Reports—None. VIL Items for Discussion—Dean Klassman reviewed the Buddy Baseball program and the commission discussed possible field locations and surface treatments. Dean Klassman indicated using a rubberized surface for base paths would cost approximately $32,000 for a 60 foot base path (3 feet wide) field and that it would make the field dedicated to this type of program as opposed to multi-functional. Michael Rylko expressed concern with where the rubberized edge would meet the infield playing surface and the consequences if a ball hit on that edge. It was decided the best approach would be a rubberized surface for the entire infield with the edge being the transition to grass. Due to the cost of such an option a donor for the surface will be pursued from both companies manufacturing the material and/or independent companies who may wish to sponsor the field. Mr. Rylko indicated the Park District really could not sacrifice an existing field as a dedicated Buddy Baseball field but that the Park District would work with the commission to locate a site for the dedicated field. The site should include at least 40 parking spaces (preferably 80-100 spaces) near the playing field and handicapped accessible restrooms. In the interim Mr. Rylko indicated the continued use of the Willow Stream fields was acceptable and that the Park District could expand the dugouts, at nominal cost, to accommodate all players and buddies especially because some fencing work is already slated to be undertaken at the fields. Discussion of Goals for 2002 — Chairman Kahen reviewed the goals on a sub-committee by sub-committee basis asking the sub-committees to re-review their goals and let him know which items would be completed and which items would need to be deferred to calendar year 2003. VIIL Staff Liaison Report—None. IX. Questions form the Audience—None. X. Other Business—Michael Minton, an audience member at the meeting, stated that Illinois was the 9th wealthiest state but was 48th in senior services spending. Mr. Minton reviewed the recent state budget cuts in the areas of disability services and stated his goal was to restore at least a portion, if not all, of those funds. He has a personal interest in the area because he has parents, siblings, and children who need these services just as many others statewide need the services. Mr. Minton distributed a "Commitment to Caring"pledge to Chairman Kahen and asked that it be reviewed. XI Adjournment — Motion to adjourn made by Comm. Sussman and seconded by Comm. Corney. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.. Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 20th, 2002 at 7:OOpm, lower level conference room, at Village Hall.