2002-09-25 - Commission for Residents with Disabilities - Minutes Board orCommission: ❑ commission on Residents With Disabilities
Document Type: 0 A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 09/25/2002
Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting
MINUTES OF THE BUFFALO GROVE COMMISSION
FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MEETING
September 25, 2002
L Call to Order—The meeting was called to order at 7 PM.
II. Roll Call— Commissioners present included Chairman Kahen, Commissioners Holm,
Sussman, Verson and Spallone. Also present were Trustee liaisons Jeff Berman and Jeff
Braiman, staff liaisons Phil Versten and Larry Swieca. Greg Ney of the Buffalo Grove Park
District was a guest throughout the discussion on Buddy Baseball.
III. Approval of Minutes — Commissioner Verson motioned to approve the meeting
minutes of May 22 and August 28. Commissioner Holm seconded. Motion Carried.
IV. Chairman's Report— Chairman Kahen reviewed the notion of a Buddy Baseball facility
in Buffalo Grove. The idea came from a discussion between Trustee Braiman and Dean
Klassman, a director of the local Buddy Baseball program. Chairman Kahen noted that Mr.
Klassman would like to see a field/facility dedicated to Buddy Baseball.
Greg Ney of the Buffalo Grove Park District participated in the following Commission
discussion, which included these items:
• Baseball fields are programmed only three or four months of the year. The Park
District always seeks to maximize use of space. The request, when formalized, would have to
be reviewed by the Park District.
• Use of fields/facilities as currently constructed could pose mobility problems for
persons with disabilities, especially when damp or wet. Wheelchairs do not move well on grass
and in mud.
• Can existing diamonds be fit, as needed, with temporary conversion systems to
accommodate the needs of a Buddy Baseball program?
• Some such systems exist, such as a "Jock Box," which consists of bricks raised up from
the batters box, covered with dirt and Astroturf. Do additional systems exist? What are they?
• Which diamonds are currently best suited for accessibility? Are the parking lot and
pathways to that diamond accessible?
• Grants are needed to cover costs. Options through the State can be pursued. The
Commission should also see if this is an area where the Northwest Special Recreation
Association can help with funding, expertise, and facility programming on a regional basis.
Mr. Klassman was unable to attend this meeting, but Chairman Kahen will relay the
Commission's discussion to him.
Mr. Ney was thanked and excused from the remainder meeting.
Chairman Kahen reviewed some remaining items recapping BG Days. The goody bags
that went unused due to the rain out will be stored at Village Hall and used next year.
We will check to see if the Park District's "Fall-O-Ween" is a program for the disabled
and offer them the McDonaldland cookies donated by Eileen Kushner for use in this
year's Fun and Food program.
Trustee Berman reminded the Commission that the location of next year's BG Days
festival is as of yet undecided. Potential mobility issues with Busch Grove Park, such as
a lack of paved pathways, etc. were noted.
Chairman Kahen thanked those present who contributed shift work on the shuttle:
Commissioner Verson, Larry Swieca &family, Trustee Berman, Phil Versten.
Thank-you letters will be sent out to individuals and business from the community who
donated to the CRD's programs during BG Days.
Chairman Kahen tabled the discussion on goals that was scheduled as part of this
meeting to the October meeting, citing the low turn out of Commissioners for this
meeting.
V. Commissioners' Reports — Comm. Spallone reported on upcoming events: Dyslexia
Association meeting coming up either October loth or 12th, and the Council for
Exceptional Children will gather at the Arlington Hilton on 10/31.
VI. Sub-Committee Reports — Commissioner Verson asked what we want to accomplish
with the schools and whether we would be contacting any parent associations. Chairman
Kahen reviewed the goals of this sub-committee. Mr. Swieca suggested that it would be helpful
if the Fire Department could get information on what types of special needs, where and whom—
for purposes of accommodating in the event of emergency transport. Committee will look onto
setting up a regular flow of such information between the schools and the Fire Department and
report back at the October meeting. The sub-committee will also look into lock down options
for this type of emergency transport(for wheelchairs, etc.).
The fall newsletter article from Commissioner Holm is all set. Commissioner Spallone may
write up something for the winter newsletter. Mr. Versten noted that the deadline for
that issue is just prior to Thanksgiving.
VII. Items for Discussion—None.
VIII. Staff Liaison Report—None.
IX. Questions form the Audience—There was no audience.
X. Other Business—Next regular meeting is October 23. The two meetings after that
will be special meeting dates of November 20 and December I S. All meetings at 7 PM in the
lower level conference room of Village Hall.
XI Adjournment — Motion to adjourn made by Comm. Sussman and seconded by Comm.
Holm. Meeting adjourned.