2001-10-03 - Commission for Residents with Disabilities - Minutes Board or Commission: Commission on Residents With Disabilities
Document Type: Minutes
Meeting Date: 10/03/2001
Type of Meeting: Special Meeting
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BUFFALO GROVE COMMISSION
FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MEETING
OCTOBER 3, 2001
I. Call to Order— The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
It Roll Call —Commissioners present included Chairman Kahen, Commissioners Chorney,
Sussman, Verson, Slaw and Weiner. Also present were Liaison Versten Greg Summers. Martin
Sussman was a public attendee.
111. Approval of Minutes—A motion to approve the minutes of the 9/22 meeting was made
by Comm. Slaw and seconded by Comm Weiner. Motion Carried.
IV. Chairman's Report— Chairman Kahen reviewed correspondence— a thank you from
Chief McCann, a thank you from Northbrook's festival committee for serving as a model
disabilities festival program, a thank you from President Hartstein for BG Days efforts. Mr.
Versten circulated samples of the commendations and cover letters that will be sent to sponsors
of the Commission's programs.
Chairman Kahen then reviewed the Commission's BG Days involvement and accepted comments
on how to improve upon it for next year:
425 people attended the "Fun and Food" event.
Too many people walking into the carnival, bypassing registration process.
Too many people walking into food tent, we were unable to gauge whether they were all
participants of the program.
Signage should be clearer directing program participants on process, flow, and direction.
Extra bags for people that get prizes from carnival; can bags have Commission's name
imprinted on them?
Need water
Golf cart: Commission should be indicated on cart signage, handicap symbol could be
bigger; more visible
Chairman Kahen asked for a summation of the promotion that has been done to date on the
upcoming October 23rd ADA seminar to be given by Robin Jones of Great Lakes Disability
Business & Technical Assistance Center. Mr. Versten distributed a press release that had been
distributed to the media and to department heads at the Village. Mr. Versten indicated that the
seminar is being promoted over all Village media, including the newsletter, the web site, the
subscriber e-mail system, the electronic sign on Lake Cook, and the channel 6 bulletin board. An
article had also been carried in the Chamber newsletter. Mr. Kahen noted that the press release
had triggered an article in the Daily Herald within the past couple of days. He suggested that
seminar notices be sent to other communities in the immediate area.
V. Commissioners Reports
Cmmsr. Slaw asked whether the Commission could be briefed on the Village's emergency
response plans in light of recent tragedies at the World Trade Center and in Washington DC. He
suggested that all commissions and community leaders could probably benefit from some dialogue
on the subject. He suggested a community leadership meeting to discuss and input on the plans
and communicate with public regarding same.
VI. Sub-Committee Reports
A. BG Days Update— see above under President's Report.
B. Public Info Sub-Committee—Phil received an article from Sue Gottlieb to be included in
the Fall newsletter, regarding lack of State funding for disabilities programs.
C. Goal Setting Ad-Hoc— see Items for Discussion, below.
VII. Items for Discussion
Chairman Kahen encouraged Commissioners to bring ideas for next year's goals to the next
meeting. Some ideas given preliminary discussion in the mean time:
1. Ask or encourage businesses and/or landlords to volunteer additional space for
handicapped parking.
2. Address the issue of lines in grocery stores and the need for dedicated check out
assistance services to handicapped customers.
3. Encourage businesses to go above and beyond code in meeting the needs of persons with
disabilities. Create a positive award/recognition program.
4. Begin a Village-run shuttle service for persons with disabilities and seniors.
VIII. Staff Liaison Report - no report.
IX Questions from the Audience—Mr. Martin Sussman raised the following two issues:
A) Handicapped parking is too far away from the doors at Highland Park Hospital,
especially for handicapped persons that are not necessarily wheel chair bound. He suggested
that a landscaped"flower garden" area that is situated close to the doors could better serve as a
handicapped parking area. He wrote a letter to the Hospitals' Director of Clinical Support
suggesting same. Chairman Kahen asked staff to send a copy of that letter to his counterpart at
the City of Highland Park and to prepare for his signature a cover letter suggesting, in the spirit
of improving the region's disabilities issues, this situation be looked into.
B) When the lot was restriped in a local shopping center, one of the two handicapped spaces
in front of the White Hen Pantry at 1152 N. Arlington Heights Road was painted over. Now,
instead of two spaces clearly marked both on the ground and with posted signs, there is only one
handicapped spot there with a wall sign. Mr. Kahen asked staff to ask Ed Schar as to whether he
has inspected this and whether it is in compliance with ordinance.
X. Other Business—Chairman Kahen relayed that a member of the BG Days Committee had
suggested that there was a need for a volunteer program that would drive seniors around to meet
appointments, go shopping, visit, etc. This person told Mr. Kahen that he knew of five people
who would volunteer for such a program. The question arose as to liability. Chairman Kahen
indicated that he thought volunteers were covered by village policy whenever on village
business. He asked whether such a volunteer program be covered as well?
XI Adj ournment—Motion to adjourn made by Comm Chormey and seconded by Comm Slaw.
Meeting adjourned at 9 P.M.
Next gatherings:
ADA Seminar- October 23, 2001 at 7 PM in Village Hall council chambers
Regular Commission meeting, October 24, lower level conference room in Village Hall.