Approved Minutes

 

Santa Monica Disabilities Commission

                                    Regular Meeting: January 6, 2003

                                    Ken Edwards Center

                                    1527 4th St., Santa Monica

 

  1. Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 6:30 by Chair Bancroft

 

  1. Pledge of Allegiance led by Vice Chair Weller

 

  1. Roll call:

Present: Commissioners Agate, Arroyo, Bancroft, Boersma, Bogen, Hilton, Klein (arrived 6:50), Knauf (arrived 6:34), Parker and Weller. Absent: Commissioner Genensky (excused).

 

Staff Present: Janet Hand and Julie Rusk, Human Services Division

 

  1. Announcements:

Ed Aherne, WCIL Santa Monica Community Services Specialist, presented on his activities for December, announced the CCSM housing list was open and encouraged attendance at the January 11 Community Voices Gathering.

 

Member of the public Pro Se encouraged attendance at the Community Voices Gathering.

 

Staff Liaison Janet Hand announced that this year’s Boards and Commissions Dinner will be held May 5 and asked commissioners to save the date.  She also announced that this year’s Economic Interest Forms (Form 700s) are due to the City Clerk’s office April 1- they will be mailed out to all commissioners the first week in March.  She distributed the Commissioners’ i.d. cards and apologized for not doing it sooner.

 

Commissioner Hilton described AB 1421, called Laura’s Law, introduced by Assemblywoman Helen Thomson.  It allows for involuntary commitment to outpatient treatment in some circumstances for people with mental illness.  Commissioner Hilton provided a handout on the bill and emphasized that it took a lot of effort and lobbying to see the bill introduced.

 

Commissioner Arroyo announced that there will be a forum seeking input on the implementation of the Olmstead decision in California coming up and that he will keep the commission informed how they can participate.

 

Chair Bancroft announced a City “Budget Basics” workshop, to take place on January 9 and 23 at KEC.

 

Chair Bancroft also reminded all commissioners that the Community Voices Gathering takes place January 11 and asked all commissioners who are able to attend.  She has been asked to be one of the speakers at the event.6

 

  1. Approval of minutes (This Item was heard out of order, after Item 8):

Chair Bancroft moved and Commissioner Bogen seconded to approve the minutes of the November 14 and December 12 meetings as amended. Motion carried on voice vote.

 

  1. Update and discussion of and possible action on request to City Council to oppose closure of Rancho Los Amigo Rehabilitation Center: Staff Liaison stated that the letter from the City Council to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors opposing the closing of Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center will be sent this week.

 

  1. Update on and discussion of and possible further action on requesting City Council to support the Ninth Circuit Court decision in Barden v. Sacramento: Staff Liaison explained that the earliest the Commission’s request for the City Council to oppose Sacramento’s position in the Barden v. City of Sacramento case is February 11, and more likely February 25.  Commissioner Knauf said that the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet agreed to hear the case.  If they do not, there is no need to go to Council; the decision is expected this month or early in February.  If the case is not given cert by the Supreme Court, the item will be pulled from the Council agenda.

 

  1. Presentation on City’s budget forecast and budget process by Staff, with discussion of and possible action on recommendations to City Council lat the Jan. 14 budget hearing (this item was heard out of order, after item 4): Julie Rusk, Human Services Division Manager explained the City’s budget process as well as the current fiscal forecast for the next five years.  She also explained the Human Services Division’s Community Development grant program and invited the Commission to participate in reviewing grant proposals that will be sent to the City in February.  Action on this item was deferred for discussion on Item 9.

 

  1. Discussion of and possible action on priorities for the Commission: Discussion of priorities for the Commission occurred. 

Member of the Public Pro Se gave input.

            Further discussion ensued.  Commissioner Arroyo moved that Chair Bancroft address the City Council as the commission’s representative, and that the Commission’s position be that the City needs to maintain and reinforce all aspects of programmatic access to City services and programs. Seconded by Commissioner Weller.  Carried by voice vote. Chair Bancroft encouraged all commissioners to attend if it is at all possible for them to do so to speak as individuals who want to see funding for disability programs preserved, addressing individual concerns that the DC as a whole is not always able to.

 

10. Presentation from staff on Commission’s budget (continued from 12/12/02 meeting): continued to next meeting

 

11.    Further discussion of and possible action on report from By-Laws Ad Hoc Subcommittee (continued from 12/12/02 meeting): Continued to next meeting

 

12.    Review of recommendations in the Disability Community Accessibility Committee’s Final Report and City’s responses to them (continued from 12/12/02 meeting): Continued to next meeting

 

13.       Public Input:

Member of the Public Anita Phillips spoke about services available at Legal Aid.

 

14.       Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned by Chair Bancroft at 9:15 pm.

 

 

 

 

APPROVED:                                                             ATTEST:

 

 

__________________________                          ______________________

Elizabeth Bancroft, Chair                                         Janet Hand, Staff Liaison