| Members present Jose Loera Will Brown Judy Watford Mary Ward Diane Bomar Malcolm Graham Jane Lansaw David Patterson Members Absent Amy Litzinger Cathie Schumacher | Guests/Public Present Scott Meyer Bob Chavarria John Perez Richard Villa Juan Munoz Pam Scott Tom Rasiska Mike Murphy Capital Metro Staff Present Andrew Murphy Nancy Crowther Rafael Villarreal Betty Cravens Bill Buford Meredith Highsmith |
The November 7, meeting of the Access Advisory Committee was called to order at 5:00pm by Ms. Mary Ward, Access Secretary.
Welcome and introductions were made. The new Access Advisory Committee members were introduced. 22 persons were in attendance.
The minutes of the October 3rd were approved as issued. The motion was made by Ms. Diane Bomar and seconded by Ms. Jane Lansaw to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Citizen's Communication: Mr. Scott Meyer presented Capital Metro Staff with a plaque showing appreciation for the support of Capital Metro with additional services at the annual White Cane Day celebration held October 15, 2007. Mr. Richard Villa voiced concerns related to the IVR; Ms. Pam Scott reported concerns for the Paratransit Eligibility Recertification forms being lost in the mail; and discussions were held regarding Fixed Route bus pass-bys, Montopolis and Riverside on weekends, and Paratransit escorts issues. It was reported that Mr. Aleman was in a serious accident. The Access Committee will send get well wishes for a speedy recovery.
Announcements/Community Events: There is a meeting on November 15 regarding the Brazos Street access improvements being designed. Access representatives will be attending and presenting a resolution on behalf of the committee to the Downtown Austin Alliance. The American Council of the Blind Austin Chapter meets the 3rd Saturday of the month at Threadgill’s at 11:30am. The NFB meets the 3rd Saturday at 10:30am. The Austin Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities meets the second Monday of the month at the City Hall, Commission’s room at noon. A schedule of disability-based community meetings was discussed and a calendar of meetings was requested to be a regular part of the Access agenda.
Access Officer Elections Judy Watford, Chair; Diane Bomar, Vice Chair and Mary Ward, Secretary were elected to fulfill the officer positions in representing the Access Advisory Committee.
The Access By-Laws ad hoc committee will be meeting after the November 28 subcommittee meetings and after the December 5 Access meeting.
Meeting times: it was requested that the committee review the by-laws and the scheduling of the current meetings. Meeting time changes will take effect from 5:30-7:30pm beginning in January 2008.
New Business:
A motion was made by Mr. Malcolm Graham: Whereas the sidewalks on Brazos Street are narrow, with numerous steps and steep inclines without curb cuts, and whereas these conditions pose a hazard to persons with mobility impairments, and whereas if the Brazos Street is repaired we still oppose the diversion of buses from Congress Avenue, therefore, be it resolved on this seventh day of November, 2007 by the Access Advisory Committee for Capital Metro, that we unanimously oppose the diversion of buses from Congress Avenue to Brazos Street, and be it further resolved that the Access Committee will advise the Mayor of Austin and other officials that any plan to move Cap Metro buses from Congress to Brazos will be vigorously opposed by the blind and mobility impaired communities. Ms. Jane Lansaw seconded the motion and the recommendation was passed.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:05pm.
The next Access Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for December 5, 2007.
Please Note: Meeting time changes from 5:30-7:30pm will take effect beginning in January 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Crowther staff liaison for
Mary Ward, Access Secretary
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
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