HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ADA_04.11.2018Minutes for the Meeting of the
Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Advisory Board
and the Governing Body
of the City of Georgetown, Texas
April 11, 2018 at 6:00 PM
at 300-1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown, Texas 78626
The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance in participation at a public meeting due
to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable assistance, adaptations, or
accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City at least four (4)
days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512)930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 81h
Street for additional information: TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Board Members: Jonathan Dade — Chair Person, Anya Juan Risco — Vice -Chair Person,
John Oliver — Secretary, Barbara Bender — Member, Erin Curra-Spurger — Member,
Cynthia Eisman — Member, Levera Patton - Member
Board Members Absent: NONE
Staff Present: Octavio Garza, Ed Polasek, Laura Wilkins
Others Present: Michael Jacobe, Visitor; Ann Marie Garcia, Visitor (the Arc of Texas);
Kara Prior, Visitor (The Arc of Texas)
Regular Session
(This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for
any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas government Code 551.)
A. Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by Dade
The Board may, at any time recess the Regular Session to convene in Executive
Session at the request of the Chair, a Board Member, The City Manager, Assistant
City Manager, General Manager of Utilities, City Council Member, or legal
counsel for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas
Government Code Chapter 551, and are subject to action in the Regular Session
that follows
B. Introduction of Visitors - All Board members and staff introduced themselves
Legislative Regular Agenda:
C Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the
March 14, 2018 ADA Board Meeting. -- Laura Wilkins, Board Liaison
MOTION by Oliver, second by Curra-Spurger to approve the minutes as
presented. —APPROVED 7-0
D Review and possible recommendation regarding the City of Georgetown FY17
ADA Transition Plan, elements related to Title VI and Go Geo operations.
Edward G. Polasek, AICP
Polasek explained the TIP — completely new elements. TxDOT Civil Rights
Division contacted us when we started the GoGeo bus program that we had to
have a Title 6 Program. Our current ADA program did not cover all
requirements for Title 6. We did a separate plan document to cover all Title 6
requirements. We had to complete online analysis and online reporting. We
must show that we have internal complaint program. We are talking to HR how
to get that done. Highlights — had to have a formal complaint procedure. All
complaints to the PW Director. Monitor external complaints — provide training
for staff. Most monitoring is happening in Customer Care. We have added
Spanish version. — The languages needed are based on Census numbers. This is
important to the TxDOT Civil Rights Division. Question by Dade what types of
complaints have we had? Answered by Polasek - We have not had any
complaints. But for instance if we have a public meeting and we know that we
will have persons attending with limited English proficiency, then those public
meetings would need to have a translator if we know in advance it will be
needed. For Georgetown the language would be Spanish based on the Census
numbers. We had to document that we have implementation measures in place
to handle the lack of English proficiency. Beginning to document calls. In 2016 -
856 calls came in that transferred over for Spanish translation. In 2017 it was
over 1,000 calls. Question by Dade - Is there a non -electronic way to make
complaints or ask questions? Like a box on the busses or a mailing address to
send it in? CARTS administers the ADA program for the bus system — but we
give the hard copy forms to HR — but we can work on a better way to manage the
manual part of this. Question by Juan Risco — is there a place where someone can
come in and do in person complaints? Answered by Polasek — yes — the Public
Works Department takes those complaints. If a translator is needed — then we
work with Customer Care to assist with that for Spanish, Sign Language and
larger print for visually impaired.
Included in annual report: accomplishments for last year — no data/complaints to
report. TxDOT Civil Rights Division is easy to work with so we will be able to
complete this in house. Question by Bender - She has heard that some people
say they do not want to put in a complaint because they do not want their driver
to get in trouble. Customer Service complaints — call CARTS. Bender clarified —
they are not concerned about their driver — but about the serviced itself. Polasek
— that is the next item.
Para Transit — dedicated stops — number of riders has drastically increased.
When CARTS handled anyone could call and get a trip. Now on GoGeo - If you
qualify for para transit customers sign up a day ahead — and GoGeo comes and
picks the customer up and transports them to a specific destination in our service
area. Not on fixed route. GoGeo system does not transport/deliver people
outside the service area — like Round Rock. This is due to the federal
requirements since Round Rock is a recipient of different federal funds so we
cannot transport to Round Rock outside our para transit service area.
GoGeo ADA Transit Plan — Went over the report — various questions and
discussion. Part of the transit development plan — federal requirements — mid-
summer statistics 96 applicants 90 have been approved; 2 denied; 2 live outside
the urbanized area; and 2 are still in process. Approved riders had 380 trips in
February — up from 260 trips in January. Steady increase in ridership on para
transit. Performance measures for same time limit on ADA as the transit.
CARTS evaluates applications out of their San Marcos Office.
No Action on this item.
Adjournment
Motion by Curra-Spurger, second by Juan Risco to adjourn the meeting.
Approved 7-0
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.
Approved:
'lonathan Dade — Chair PE