Disability Advisory Committee - Regular Meeting

All right, you guys are good to go. Whenever you're ready.

Whenever you're ready. M. Yep.

Okay. Welcome to the disability advisory committee for the city of Charletown. Today is Monday, January the 12th, 2026 5:00 PM on the dot. This meeting is being live streamed by Under Production Multimedia. Uh let's begin with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Good evening, everybody. All right, let's get some attendance in. All right. Who do we have here tonight? Cindy Perkins Fraser. Present.

Present. And myself, Amy Benabitz. All right. And all right, we do have four members present and so we are good for a quorum. I just totally went brain dead.

Totally went brain dead there. Okay, we have an agenda that's been provided by myself tonight because we are currently without secretary. I need a motion to approve. Anybody? Anybody want to Cindy? A second. Cindy and Cindy. Yeah. All right. All in favor say I. I. I.

All right. Motion approved. All right. This meeting should be pretty short and sweet. We've got quite a few out. U just for the notes. Ashley is out and Christina. All right. Okay. Standing business. Our last meeting was uh November the 10th, 2025. Um, those uh notes have been uh sent to you guys by email. Did anybody have anything they needed to add or any changes to those? All right, we need to uh take a motion to approve those meeting notes. Anybody? Anybody? I'll take a motion to approve.

I will second. All right. All in favor say I. I. All right. Motion approved. All right. Okay. Oh, business. updates on any ongoing city projects that we've got going on out there. Like to update you. Do you have any? Yep. Yep.

Afternoon board. Um couple things to bring to your attention. Um and at least some that possibly need feedback. Tonight we have the public hearing on the proposed comprehensive plan immediately following this meeting at the plan commission meeting at 6:30. That document is available through our agenda center. Uh there is a link to it under the plan commission meeting for tonight to review the draft of that document in its entirety. The plan commission will be making a decision whether to recommend that forward to the council. So there's still an approve the council has to adopt it at their February meeting with whatever edit. So there's still time for you to review that. That's just the 10-year forward thinking plan that they've been gathering for several months now. So there have been a series of um listening sessions. There's been stakeholder groups. There's been a public survey. Um we had an outstanding response on the survey. Over 600 people responded to the survey. So encourage the board to pull up that link through the agenda center at the planning commission meeting for tonight or attend the hearing uh to make any recommendations before it gets approved by the council. Uh the commons is supposed to start construction anytime. You might have noticed they've already started staging the orange cones to preserve the parking there in front of the space. I that's the permanent event space that we're building out here on the square. Um I don't remember if I had a chance to update you, but the redevelopment commission did authorize the extra expense of the switchback coming up from Water Street. So that will be accessible from two entry points. um both of course the parking in front where there will be handicap spaces in front of the entryway here on the square but also through the switch back up off of Water Street. They expect to have that done by early June. So um you might have noticed that the handicap parking lot at um Greenway Park was completed. So that is 100% dedicated for handicap parking. It's only a matter. It's a very short distance from that parking to the

initial pave trail that allowed you to enter Greenway Park. So, that's done. We're pleased with how it turned out and it did get used a lot during the winter festivities this year. Um, the family activities part master plan that you helped provide feedback for was accepted by the redevelopment commission and we had received a debt reduction grant of $250,000 and they've started the they will start this year under construction the two additions to that park will start with the pickle ball court and a new basketball brand new basketball court in that location. But as additional phases were developed, they took your advice under consideration and have adapted that plan. And then the final thing I have for you, and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have for me, but the final thing I have is the city council is considering a parking ordinance for city streets. The the motive behind this came from a a positive and pure source in the sense that it is difficult for emergency vehicles, our large fire trucks, um our snow plows and or even our garbage trucks to get down some of our city streets because we have an issue with people parking on both sides of the streets. There are some that are worse than others, but our staff did the best they could on a first run of just going through the city and systematically over a three-year period evaluating every street for where parking could happen and where it couldn't. Now, this does not supersede subdivision controls. So, if you live in a subdivision where there's um a homeowners association, those rules apply. We're just adopting those rules for that neighborhood. But other streets have been designated as no parking or limited parking in that ordinance. That is available. Um if you go to the city's Facebook page, Brian put up a post where you can click the ordinance and read the amendment that the add amendment that goes with it that lists the streets. We encourage you to look at that from an accessible

standpoint and let us know any feedback. There is a jot form that you can click, but seeing as how you write advisory board, you can also just email me um any feedback you have. It is not the final document right now. It's just the initial first run of it. So, the council approved it on first reading just to get it floated out there and for consideration, but they hope to take it back up in their February meeting for final adoption with any edits that need to be made. So, I would encourage this board to go look at that parking ordinance and let us know of anything from the accessible standpoint that you see that we need to amend or just as residents in general. Um, and that those are the updates I have for you. Um, we can talk about upcoming events later in agenda if you want. Um, but I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

I don't have any myself. All right. Thank you. Thank you very much, Dr. Mayor Ta. We appreciate you. Uh, holiday events, comments, and suggestions. Did anybody have any uh She brought up the uh parking being done uh that was over at the OD in our lot. Does that parking lot have a name? We need a name. We are happy to provide a name if you're talking. Everything else has a name. So, right now it's named the old H&R.

I know it's like we but yeah, we need to come up with a good name for that parking lot. That's do some kind of a voting event. Uh but yeah, that we had a lot of I've seen a lot of different feedback. Some were happy, some were not. I I I think it's a good spot. It's I utilized it and I loved it. So, I did too as well with Morgan. I had no issues. I think it's close enough. It's paved. I don't know what else you would provide that would be better on at this point to access the park. Yeah.

Um I did post a very positive comment on the city's page as well because there was a lot of kickback on that. But um we're not going to make everyone happy as you all know. Um but I feel like I have pretty um I have a lot of needs with Morgan, you know, and getting her around and I did not have any issues. So I love it.

I agree. We used uh we uh we used it we've used it with Karissa walking down, you know, as well. And they there is, you know, the handicap parking as well over at the on Spring Street in in the bottom. You know, I I feel like that's just as good as well, too. I mean, you can't pull up to a park and just walk out to the bench and be right there. There's the point of a park is to be out and getting exercise and

and walking. But, you know, I I thought I think it's great. I was I'm very appreciative that uh the city was able and everybody involved in that uh push that through. It was a long project, but you know, I'm glad to see it. It's nice to when you actually can see one things be talked about and then be discussed and then actually be done and you be using it. So, um you know, we got to help with those suggestions for that. And I'm glad that that project is done and out of the way. Um on to the next one which shall be excited on the square as well with the switchback will be nice. That's going to be great. And that's going to meet up with um there's going to be we talked about that before. Um there'll be a walkway when you come down off the switch that can go across the highway to be able to get to that parking lot as well. So, that's going to be nice for people when they come to the event, you know, if to be able to get out of that parking and then just walk right up too. Um, other than that, did anybody else have any any comments or

I will say when I did pose when I did utilize the parking there, there were a couple that couple cars that were not handicapped and I think that might be an issue which you know I feel like is an issue you really encounter a lot. Yeah. So, that's something we just kind of need to keep an eye out. Like, if anybody's bad like I am, I forget to put my tag in the window. Yeah. I'm I've been yelled at multiple times.

I'm the opposite. I keep it I keep it in my window when you shouldn't. So, um so like I think that's just maybe on big like the big events like that just every now and then just have somebody walk through it maybe and just check and see. I don't know. Yeah, I had the opposite feeling about it because I parked there during the Halloween thing and it seemed like people were more they were aware this is just hand.

So watch look again before you back out or look twice before you pull in. Go slow. I just felt like people were being very considerate of of using the parking. Yeah. Good. I'm glad. Good. I'm glad you Yeah. Especially with when it was such a huge huge crowd because you know how bad the crowd was for

me. [laughter] All day the next day. Cindy met me at for the trailer treats and I I mean I don't even know how I don't know if anybody I don't think they were even doing an account. It was definitely way more than what was the year before and I thought that was a crazy amount of people but it was a lot we I we had we had a good time. I think it was fun. It was great. The weather was nice. I thought everybody was Yeah. you know, well behaved and appreciated. Well, except for, you know, some middle school kids who wanted to see how many times they could go to a booth. [laughter] That's kind of to be expected. Let's see how many times we can hit there.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It I think that I think it's definitely you can tell that every year that I've been like it's running a lot that it's running like I feel like it was a lot smoother this year than it was last year. We went through everything much quicker. It was a good flow. I think so, too. Yeah, I agree. A lot of the same vendors and so they know what what's going on and, you know, everybody's kind of picks their spot and they kind of stay there year to year and I think last year the park had just opened the equipment and it was very fresh and brand new and all the kids were there and it just Yeah, I feel like a lot just happening.

Yeah. Yeah, I think so too. But it definitely was a lot smoother. I think all the city, even through Well, I can't I can't give an opinion on how the Christmas stuff went because I was in the concession stand. So, I did not get to be a part of any of the outside world. I will not complain about that at all. Um, so I can't really voice my opinion on how it went for the reindeer night, the opening night, because I was in there making gallons and gallons of hot chocolate and throwing it out the window.

Wow. So, um, but I think just from what I've seen on, um, social media, it was a pretty good, um, both events for the opening of the light up and the, uh, the closing night of the reindeer were good events. um big crowds um and and not chaos. I don't think not, you know, no kind of chaotic or crazy events like it's it's nice that we don't have have any of that going on in our, you know, in any of our events, you know.

So, I I don't have anything to add at this point for next year for those events. I think they're, you know, running super smooth. Mhm.

Um they've done everything they can to accommodate I think with the parking with all the things that can be done for for the area. I mean I I don't know how it could be made any you know we do welcome anybody to have any suggestions to reach out to any of us and let us know. But um I mean just personally like I couldn't imagine you know myself being able to get in the park and get out any any easier than what what the uh city and the staff have worked on over the last few years to make uh accessible and and even not accessible just for everybody I think um you know uh because you know there's you have to think of everybody besides just uh the the uh disability community too. And I think all the there's all kinds of you know the parking and everything everywhere has gotten so much easier with these events. Um, so, um, if anybody has anything else to add or they don't, we can talk about I'll let Andrea talk about, um, she if she has any updates for the Beyond the Village parent support group that has kind of started back up. Um, so I have confirmed dates with Carrie. Um, we're going to say on the second Wednesday of each month at five o'clock. Um, I'm going to I'll get those dates to Brian. He can then put it on the city calendar. Um, typically I share uh a flyer basically that I create. Um, so you guys feel free once you see that I share it to share it out. I'll try to

send it to all of you. Um, yeah. Um, I think each time we've had it, we've had few different people and I'm looking forward to just continuing and I think it's a great time to get together. Um, talk about what we love, don't love, share ideas, and just um, you know, talk talk it out. Yeah. So, yeah. So, we'll say on the second Wednesday of each month.

Sounds excellent. And then we also welcome people even without any um disability as well. any any parent if they need um you know support and communication and just you know adult conversation about uh things and you know no matter what age or caregivers of any sort you know um we welcome

those people as well to the group. Uh Andrea does a good job at trying to organize a topic every month [laughter] and we we talk about that a little bit and then move on to whatever everybody's you know like she said we've had different people every time. So, we've kind of just let those new people um lead the discussion and and yeah, it's been a more of a let's get to know you, get to know like what are your challenges, where you coming from, you know, just general um back and forth and feeding off one another.

Yes. Yeah. Yes. I like to have a topic sometimes. I mean, that helps, you know, give us some direction. Um but usually that turns into other discussions and that's completely fine. So yeah. All right. So we will be having the one for January will be Wednesday. Yes. Wednesday 14th. Yes. Yep. 5 to 6:30ish. It's about at the A&E Center.

Yeah. Uh, and last time we just met right there in the lobby because um it was we just had to run in the building. So, it just depends. There is a meeting room. So, um depending on if there's other events going on whether we'll be like just sitting there kind of hanging out in the lobby or whether we'll be there to the when you walk in to the um left in that first room there on the left. Um but yeah, so if anybody wants to come out and join us for that uh Wednesday, we would love to have you there. Any any comments about that? Any questions? Anything? Okay, I think we can move on to new business, ladies. Um so our first uh thing with uh let's do the let's move the election of officers down a little bit and let's just do those other because there's just a couple little things on there and then that way we can do the election and then do the meeting schedule and then we'll be we'll be good to go. upcoming events. Um, I think we probably will have one more meeting before the spring stuff starts to kick in. That's that's the goal when we get get to the meeting schedule tonight. We're going to try to schedule those out for the rest of the year. Um, at least tentatively so that we can get them on the calendar and then if we have to make some adjustments, we can. But um what uh I think you know the first kind of round of events will be is the Easter Easter stuff. So

um it's still a little bit early that um u we kind of talked with uh Mayor Tao a little bit before and they're kind of working on some things still too with the Easter thing. So, we'll just have a better idea that way when we come in what we can do to help out for for Easter. Um, you know, is everybody good with that? Okay. Okay. And then, um, did anybody have any additional items that didn't get added to the agenda before we came tonight for new business?

Okay, good. And then um I would say I would open the floor to public comments at this time, but we've had some public comments. Uh uh Mua, do you have anything else you want to add? And Okay. All right. So we can uh go right on over that since we are pretty quiet tonight. All right. So um meeting schedule. Uh, I had a suggestion is maybe how would you guys at least preliminary what if we just set it up for the odd months. When I was thinking about the events kind of when they are those months seem to kind of would would work out if we were going to do anything, you know, to help out with anything.

Yeah. too because you have well goes on in June. We would have our Yeah, we would have it in May. So, yeah, I feel like it works out.

So, does that that sound good? And then it's it would be the second Monday 5:00 um of all the odd months. So, we would need to take a vote on that. So, I need a motion uh to approve the [clears throat] meeting schedule for 2026 to be in the odd months beginning in March. To approve that,

Cindy M. And can I get a I'll second for my second. All right. And so all in favor say I. I.

I. And okay. So motion approved. All right. [clears throat] All right. And then so uh the last thing on the agenda for tonight is the election of our 2026 officers. Um does anybody have a um where do we want to start? Do we want to start with secretary or how do we want to start it? Does it is is there a particular thing in order we have to go? I don't think so. Let's start with uh a secretary. Okay. Does anybody have a motion for uh the new 2026 secretary? I mean, I'll vote for Andrea. [laughter] Yeah. So, we uh Cindy would like to nominate Miss Andrea to be the new secretary. Uh how what are you good with that?

Yeah. Okay. So, we need to uh I guess we need to take a motion for that to approve that, right? Or do we just take No, we just take a vote for that, right? Okay. So, all in favor of Andrea being our lovely new secretary for 2026, say I. I.

I. And uh All right. Motion approved for well vote approved for that. All right. So, vice president is currently Ashley Tomes. She is out tonight. Um, I would like to nominate her to continue to be vice president. Um, I'd like to take a vote for that. Is everybody in favor for Ashley staying? Yes.

Everybody good? I favor. Okay. All right. And last but not least is the president. All right. Well, if you're good, I would nominate you. If you could, but you seem to have a really good handle on everything. I like the way you handle yourself. So, all right. Then I guess we need to take a vote on me continuing to be the president. All in favor say I. I.

I. All right. Vote approved. All right. So there are our officers for 2026 with our current members still being Cindy McNeil, Christina Gilkkey, and Cindy Perkins. And then we are actively looking for a number seven needs to be a city resident. Uh not just city address. That's where sometimes we come in with some issues um with that. But we do need if possible um we want to exhaust all efforts in finding a city resident. Um and this could be someone that lives with the disability, that is a caregiver for someone with the disability, that is a provider. Um yeah, all any of those three or all of the above, however it works out for you. Um, several of us are one, two, and all of the above. So, um, if any of you all have any suggestions, you can, um, you do not have to email me. You can email me with your suggestions and the contact information of that person and she she will uh, take care of of that. for us on figuring out about, you know, if that person wants to truly be on the board or not. I've reached out to several people trying to I just haven't really had everybody seems to be so much busy this year. It's been hard. But if you guys have anybody

in mind um like to get a mail to have have us, you know, we can find somebody um on the you know, we can I would think maybe that would be easy. Maybe I'd have to go to McDonald's and get morning coffee and strike up some conversation with some of the [laughter]

or copper kettle. Maybe I can go go out like who is this crazy girl looking? But yeah, so if anybody has any or anybody watching the meeting is interested or if you would reach out to um any of us or reach out to uh Mayor Ta and um and we'll we'll go from there. Um, so if there is no other uh new business, old business, anything. All right, then I need a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion to adjurnn.

Second that. All right. All in favor say I. I. I. All right. Motion approved. And it is 5:30. We are at I just realized that three of y'all's names start with A and three of y'all's names.