HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-2013_Minutes MDACMilton Disability Awareness Committee
Meeting Minutes
April 10,2013
Committee Members In Attendance: Ken Woods, Van Black, Dudley Arnold, and Tass
WeIch.
MDAC Liaison: Sudie Gordon
Guests in Attendance: None
Tass Welch called the meeting to order.
The committee members reviewed the meeting minutes from the March 13th, 2013 meeting.
Several minor, primarily typographical , edits were recommended. Sudie Gordon agreed to
incorporate the edits into an updated minutes release. Ken Woods moved to approve the minutes
with edits, Van Black seconded the motion, and the revised minutes were approved by unanimous
vote.
Old Business:
• Ken Woods attended a public meeting to review proposed new designs for Deerfield
Park. About 25 members of the public participated in the meeting. Two designs were
proposed:
1. An exercise park. Drawings and photographs of this proposal were
shared at the meeting. Universal type equipment that can be used by
nearly anyone would be provided at the park.
2. Develop a park with a "Memorial" theme. This would be a memorial for
service veterans associated with the City of Milton. A fund raiser to
promote this theme would be associated with this proposal.
• Ken Woods described that the proposed Deerfield Park plans included three
entrances . Two of the entrances are planned by the city and would be accessible via
wheelchair. The third entrance would include steps. There will also be at least one
wheelchair accessible bench at the park.
• Several other general comments were also made at the public meeting. Because
Deerfield Park is in a well developed area, people who reside in this part of town are
looking for true "green space" where they can go to relax. Another suggestion was
made to develop a park that would preserve the "heritage of Milton". The public was
asked to provide written input regarding the development of the park.
• On a side note, at the meeting, Ken Woods was approached by a legally blind citizen
who walks in Milton a great deal and stated that there are a number of low hanging
limbs overhanging the sidewalks. The citizen runs into these limbs. She did not
specify exactly where these problems occur. Sudie will determine ifthe Public Works
department can resolve this issue.
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Jim Cregge showed the proposed Deerfield Park plans to Tass Welch and indicated that he would
like to share the plans with the MDAC committee, possibly at the May meeting.
Jim has scheduled a meeting for May 15th regarding Bell Memorial Park. Residents who live
near the park and other concerned citizens are also invited. Ken Woods will represent the MDAC
committee at this meeting.
Other parks will be enhanced as "LOST" funds become available.
All MDAC committee members agreed that Milton parks should be diverse and allow different
citizens with different interests and different abilities to be accommodated. All portions of all
parks do not need to be accessible to all people.
New Business:
Tass Welch and Sudie Gordon have completed the design and order of MDAC informational
cards. These cards will be available for the Milton Earth Day celebration. The MDAC committee
was shown the finalized design and layout of the cards. These cards will allow Milton citizens to
be more aware of the role of the MDAC committee and will allow the citizens to get related
concerns addressed and questions answered.
The MDAC committee will not be specifically represented at the Milton Earth Day celebration.
The cards mentioned in the bullet above will be available to the public, however.
Sharon Lockwood has requested that a wheelchair accessible picnic bench be built for Friendship
park. Tass Welch has a contact who can build the benches. Tass will investigate this idea further.
The City of Milton will have a dedicated Senior Center. The Senior Center will be ultimately
located at the Hopewell House which is at the comer of Birmingham and Hopewell roads. Some
specifics follow:
• Operations at the formal Milton Senior Center at the Hopewell House are scheduled
to begin April, 2014. Senior Center operations in Milton, however, are scheduled to
begin this May, 2013 at the Fellowship Hall of Tass Welch's church. The Fellowship
Hall is completely accessible, including restrooms. Johns Creek citizens will also be
permitted to use the Milton Senior Center.
• Fulton County is prime for the Milton Senior Center. They will fund the center, staff
it, and provide for a dedicated director. Volunteers will also be utilized at the center.
Fulton County will pay the insurance required for the Senior Center. There will be no
fee for citizens to use the Senior Center.
• The Milton Senior Center will be open from 8:30AM until 1:OOPM three days a
week. Lunch will be provided by Open Hands. Fulton County will provide
transportation to and from the facility through a third party. The center can be open
later than 1:OOPM for certain activities.
• The minimum age required to utilize the center is 55. Citizens who use the Senior
Center must be residents of Milton or Johns Creek. There are no other requirements
to use the Senior Center.
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• There will be a large range of activities at the Senior Center. Computers will be
available. There wiLL also be exercise programs, card games, and other activities.
• A strong outreach program will be required in Milton to make senior citizens aware
of the Center and to get senior citizens to use the Center. There are estimated to be
about 3,000 senior citizens in the City of Milton.
• When hired , the Milton Senior Center Director will meet with the MDAC committee
and explain the program further.
Van Black moved to adjourn the meeting. Ken Woods seconded the motion. The vote was
unanimous to adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8th, 2013.
Minutes Submitted By: Van Black ~
Minutes Approv ~~ ~
Tass Welch, Chair
Date Approved: _----'m S'____/t-'U '--=-~~~_...... "--=----'I3
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