01-15-2008 - Addition of Five New Handicapped Stalls at West Covina Senior Centera . City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager ITEM NO. D-7b
and City Council DATE Jan. 15, 2008
FROM: Michele McNeill, Community Services Director
Community Services Department
SUBJECT: THE ADDITION OF FIVE NEW HANDICAPPED STALLS AT THE WEST
COVINA SENIOR CENTER
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.
DISCUSSION:
The Senior Citizens Commission made a recommendation to the City Council to add up to five
additional handicapped stalls in the parking lot. Staff researched the matter and brought the item
before the City Council on November 20, 2007. City Council requested that staff conduct a
study to evaluate disabled parking needs at the Senior Center. The outcome of the study
supported the need to convert five standard parking stalls into five new handicapped parking
stalls adjacent to the main entrance (see Attachment No. 1). The project will require 4-6 weeks
to complete and will include landscape work, sprinkler relocation, installation of a new sidewalk,
curb cut outs, relocation of an irrigation box, and the installation of handicapped signs. The
project will utilize $25,000 in approved CDBG funding for improvements at the Senior Center
and will not impact the General Fund. The following information will support staff s decision to
complete the project.
Surveys were distributed to patrons that visited the Senior Center during the weekdays in the
month of December, excluding 12/24 and 12/25. (Attachment No. 2) Patrons were encouraged
to complete the survey only once. Providing the survey during the entire month of December
ensured that less frequent visitors to the Senior Center were also provided with the opportunity to
complete the survey. In addition at 10:00 a.m. each day, staff recorded the actual usage of
existing handicapped stalls in the parking lot. (Attachment No. 3)
The parking lot at the Senior Center is shared with park visitors and Fire Department visitors.
There are a total number of 174 parking stalls including 25 handicapped parking stalls.
Specifically, there are 18 handicap stalls located near the center's main hall entrance, 4 stalls
located near the center's north wing entrance, and three handicap stalls located in the adjacent
parking lot for the Fire Department.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicle, disabled persons' parking
placards/plates are available to those with the following conditions:
• Medically certified impaired mobility.
• A diagnosed disease or disorder that significantly limits the use of lower extremities.
• The loss, or loss of the use, of one or both lower extremities or both hands.
• Heart or circulatory disease.
• Lung disease.
• Specific documented visual problems, including low -vision or partial-sightedness.
Disabled veteran license plates are available to veterans who meet any of the following
conditions as a resultof an injury or disease that occurred while. on active service with the U.S.
Armed Forces:
• Disability rated at 100 percent by the U.S. Veterans Affairs or the military service that
discharged the veteran due to a diagnosed disease or disorder that substantially impairs or
interferes with mobility.
• So severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of an assistant device.
• Lost, or lost the use of, one or more limbs.
• Is permanently blind, as defined in § 19153 of the Welfare Institution Code.
Andrew G. Pasmant, City0ager •
and City Council
January 15,.2008
Page 2
Survey Results
A total of 388 surveys were returned to staff. Of the 388 surveyed patrons, 32% (126) of patrons
indicated that they were assigned a . disabled placard, disabled plate, or disabled veteran license
plate from the DMV. This finding is consistent with 2000 Census data, which reports that almost
44% of West Covina's population 65 years or older had a disability.
Almost half of the patrons with disabled placards/plates (58) also report that they have a difficult
time finding handicap parking at the West Covina Senior Center. This same group is also more
likely to drive alone, arrive during the morning hours, and visit on a weekly basis.
Relatively few respondents (9) reported that they require a wheelchair when participating in
activities at the Senior Center. However, most patrons (8 of 9) that require a wheelchair also
report difficulty in finding handicap parking at the Senior Center.
Table 1 presents survey respondents' frequency of visits during the past six months. Overall, a
large number of respondents visited the Senior Center on a daily (16%) or regular (24%) basis.
The majority of respondents (46%) reported that they visited the Center between 1 to 2 days per
week. The respondents' frequency of visit does not appear to be related to the ability to find
disabled parking.
Table 1
Frequency of Visits
No DP
DP with
DP without
Total
parking
parking
Respondents
difficulties
difficulties
Daily (5-7 days per week)
13%
27%
23%
16%
(33)
(16)
(15)
(64)
Regularly (3-4 days per week)
27%
21 %
17%
24%
(71)
(12)
(11)
(94)
Weekly (1-2 days per week)
45%
48%
48%
46%
(119)
(28)
(32)
(179)
Monthly (1-2 days per month)
7%
2%
6%
6%
(18)
(1)
(4)
(23)
Occasionally (6-11 days per year)
3%
0%
5%
3%
(8)
(0)
(3)
(11)
Never/Rarely (0-5 days per year)
1 %
0%
2%
1 %
(3)
(0)
(1)
(4)
Other / No Answer
5%
2%
0%
3%
(12)
(1)
(0)
(13)
Total
100%
100%
100%
100%
(264)
(58)
(66)
(388)
Table 2 presents survey respondents' typical arrival time at the Senior Center during the past six
months. A large majority of respondents reported that they typically arrive at the Senior Center
during the early (29%) or late morning (40%) hours. Respondents with disabled plates/placards
are less likely to report parking difficulty if they arrive during the early morning (38%) and late
morning (35%) rather than the afternoon hours (20%).
Andrew G. Pasmant Ci terana •
tY g
and City Council
January 15, 2008
Page 3
Table 2
Typical Arrival Time
No DP
DP &
DP & no
Total
parking
parking
difficulty
difficulty
Early Morning (7:00 — 8:59 a.m.)
28%
28%
38%
29%
(73)
(16)
(25)
(114)
Late Morning (9:00 — 11:59 a.m.)
46%
21%
35%
40%
122
12
(23)
(157
Afternoon (12:00 — 4:59 p.m.)
14%
48%
20%
20%
37
28
13
78
Evening (5:00 p.m. or later)
1 %
2%
2%
1 %
3
1
(1)
(5
Multiple Times
6%
2%
3%
5%
17
1
2
20
No Answer
5%
0%
3%
4%
12
0
2
14
Total
100%
100%
100%
100%
264
58
66
388
Table 3 presents survey respondents' typical mode of transportation to the Senior Center. A
large majority of respondents (73%) reported that they typically drive alone to the Center
followed by driving/riding with others (10%). The mode of transportation does not appear to be
related to disabled parking difficulties.
Table 3
Mode of Transportation
No DP
DP with
DP & no
Total
parking
parking
difficulty
difficulty
Drive Alone
76%
62%
67%
73%
202
36
44
282
Drive/Ride with others (carpool)
10%
33%.
27%
16%
27
19
18
64
Walk
1 %
0%
0%
1 %
2
0
0
2
West Covina "Go West" Shuttle
3%
0%
3%
2%
(7)
(0
2
9
West Covina Dial -A -Ride
3%
2%
2%
3%
7
1
1
10
Access Services
0%
0%
0%
0%
8
0
0
0
Multiple / Other
3%
0%
0%
3%
0
0
0
10
No Answer
4%
0%
2%
3%
10
0
1
11
Total
100%
100%
100%
100%
266
56
66
388
Staff Handicapped Parking Lot Observation Results
As previously noted, staff measured handicap stall usage at 10:00 a.m. each day. The result of
those observations is that on 13 of the 19 business days there was no handicap parking available
at 10:00 a.m. at the group of handicap stalls near the main hall entrance.
•
Andrew G. Pasmant, Cityfanager
and City Council
January 15, 2008
Page 4
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Receive and file this report. While other alternatives have been considered for the
expansion of handicapped stalls in the senior center parking lot (see Attachment No.1),
the law requires that they be placed close to the main entrance. The recommended
location is the closest achievable area where five handicapped stalls can be added.
2. Maintain current handicapped parking limits.
3. Provide alternate direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost -for this project' is $25,000 for the addition of five (5) handicapped stalls. The
installation of these stalls will be funded from existing CDBG appropriations, and included as
part of approved capital improvement projects: CIP #'s BP06306 and BP07315.
SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
Beginning in May 2007, discussion began at the -Senior Citizen's Commission meetings
regarding the possibility of adding additional handicapped parking stalls. It was brought to the
attention of the Commission that seniors with handicapped placards do not have enough parking
options. Over the following months information was collected to determine whether the lot met.
existing code requirements and additionally whether there was a collective voice from the seniors
to pursue the handicapped parking stalls. In July of 2007 the Commission unanimously approved
the motion to refer this item to the City Council in order for it to be considered during the 2008
CDBG planning process.
Prepared by: Scott Smilo
Community Services Manager
Revk�4
ie ed/Approve by: Michel . M Neill
Co unity Services Director
Reviewed/Approved by:
Finance Public Works a 5 r" �--)
• Attachment No. 1: Aerial Map of the West Covina Senior Center Parking Lot
• Attachment No. 2: West Covina Senior Center Parking Survey
• Attachment No. 3: West Covina Senior Center Parking Survey, Number of Open Stalls
Attachment No. 1
Aerial Map of the West Covina Senior Center Parking Lot
47 r w. .. .. .,,.. u.. i... 7, _4 $_. 4_7 :.1y�..•
I1:`J
Recommendation: Remove five standard parking
stalls and make adjustments to surrounding curbs, to
create 5 new handicapped parking stalls with close
proximity to the main entrance as required by law.
Cost: $25,000
Note: One handicapped.stall is equivalent
to 1..5 standard parking stalls.
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Itemative A: Remove two standard parking stalls and
t e service delivery area to create two handicapped
arking stalls; three less than requested by the Senior
ommission. Cost: $2,000
Alternative & Remove six standard parking stalls, to
create 4 new handicapped parking stalls. This option
would be a considerable distance from the main en-
trance. Cost: $3,000
AAA ID#
Ast Covina Senior CeAr
Parking Survey (December 2007)
Attachment #2
The West Covina City Council requested that staff survey Senior Center patrons to evaluate Senior
Center parking needs. The infbrmation you provide will be kept confidential; however, you may ship
any question that you do not wish to answer. Please return your completed survey to Senior Center
staff at your earliest convenience, but before December 31, 2007. Thank you.for your time.
2
3
91
I
Have you been assigned a disabled person placard, disabled person license plate, or a disabled
veteran license plate from the DMV?
Yes
No
Application Pending
If :yes, do you have a difficult time finding handicap parking at the West Covina Senior Center?
Yes ' No Not Applicable
Do you require a wheelchair when participating in Senior Center activities?
Yes
No
During the past six months, how often did you typically visit the West Covina Senior Center?
Daily (5-7 days per week)
Regularly (3-4 days per week)
Weekly (1-2 days per week)
Monthly (1-2 days per month)
Occasionally (6-11 times per year)
Never/Rarely (0-5 times per year)
What time of the day do you typically arrive at the West Covina Senior Center?
Early Morning (7:00 - 8:59 am)
Late Morning (9:00 - 11:59 am)
Afternoon (12:00 - 4:59 pm)
Evening .(5:00 pm or later)
What form of transportation do you typically use to come to the West Covina Senior Center?
Drive Alone
Drive/Ride with Others (Carpool)
Walk
West Covina "Go West" Shuttle
West Covina Dial -A -Ride
Access Services
Remember to return your survey to staff before December 31, 2007. Feel free to write any additional
comments on the reverse side of this survey. Thank you again for your time and cooperation.
n
-
West Covina Senior Center — Parkirig Survey
(Number of Open Stalls @ 10 am, Mon -Fri)
December 2007
Monday
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Sunday
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