MINUTES

Santa Monica Disabilities Commission

Special Meeting:  March 7, 2005

Ken Edwards Center

1527 4th St., Santa Monica

 

 

1.      Call to Order

 

Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.

 

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

 

      As there was no flag, the Pledge of Allegiance was not said.

 

3.  Oath of Office for New Commissioner

 

      The Oath of Office was administered to Commissioner Berg by Staff Liaison Hand.

 

4.  Roll Call

 

      Present:  Commissioners Agate, Arroyo, Berg, Bogen, Genensky, Hilton, Parker, Richardson and Weller

 

      Absent:  Commissioners Boersma and Knauf

 

      Also present:  Stacy Rowe, Human Services Administrator; Janet Hand, Staff Liaison; Denise Weddle, Staff Assistant, Human Services Division

 

5.  Approval of minutes of February 7, 2005 meeting

 

The minutes were tabled to the next meeting.

 

6.      Report from WCIL’s SM Outreach Coordinator

 

Julie West reported on the referrals that WCIL had received during February, their attendance at the Gang Violence Workshop and the availability of shelter and housing information.  She then introduced Carlos, a WCIL intern.

 

7.      Announcements and Correspondence

 

Staff Liaison Hand reminded the Commissioners that their Form 700, the Financial Disclosure form, is due to the City Clerk’s Office.  She also reminded the Commissioners that the Board and Commisisons dinner will be on March 28th and urged them to submit their RSVPs.  The filming of the video to be shown at the dinner will take place on Thursday, March 10th at 2:00.  Staff Liaison Hand requested the Commissioners to attend the taping if they were able.

8.  Public input:  The Commission will hear from the public on topics of interest to the Commission that are not on this agenda.  Each speaker is limited to two (2) minutes.

 

      Members of the public Pro Se and Anita Phillips spoke.

 

Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Weller seconded to change the order of the agenda to hear Items 10B and 10C after item 8 and then return to the original order of the agenda.  The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.

 

10B.  Presentations by Joan Ling (Executive Director, Community Corp.) and Peter Mezza (S.M. Housing Authority Administrator) on affordable housing in Santa Monica, including tenant complaint resolution and tenant satisfaction.

 

      Staff Liaison Hand announced that Peter Mezza was not able to attend the meeting.

 

            Joan Ling gave background of the Community Corporation, the number of units they oversee, the process for obtaining one of their units and the accessibility of the units.  She explained the process of surveying the tenants and the complaint process that the tenants have available.  Discussion ensued.

 

            Member of the public Pro Se spoke

 

10C.  Presentation by City Staff on the 2005-2010 Consolidated Plan

 

            Stacy Rowe, Human Services Administrator explained the City’s need for public input in developing the Consolidated Plan which is required for HUD Funding.  Discussion ensued.

 

            Members of the public Pro Se, Barbara Harrison and Carlos Salazar spoke.

 

            Stacy Rowe stated that the comments and suggestions from the Commissioners and members of the public will be incorporated in the Plan.

 

9. Old Business:  Discussion of and possible (further) action on:

 

A.     Report from Ad Hoc subcommittee on housing information

 

Chair Arroyo announced that the 6th Annual Housing Rights Summit would take place on April 8 in Downtown Los Angeles and suggested that the Disabilities Commission should sponsor one of its Commissioners to attend.

 

            Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Genensky seconded that the Disabilities Commission pay the fee for Commissioner Hilton to attend the Housing Rights Summit.  The motion passed on a voice and hand vote 8-0-1 with Commissioner Hilton abstaining.

B.  Advocacy on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s 05-06 budget proposal, including the Medi-Cal redesign.

 

            None to Report

 

C.  Report on accessible men’s restroom in City Hall

 

            Staff Liaison Hand described the changes being made to the restrooms at City Hall to make them more accessible.  Discussion ensued.

 

            Member of the public Pro Se spoke.

 

D.  Report from Commissioner Richardson on the Land Use Plan update process.

 

            Commissioner Richardson reported on the meeting she attended and her resolve to attend future meetings and represent the Disabilities Commission.

 

10. New Business:  Discussion of and possible action on:

 

A.     Presentation by Julie Lansing, S.M. Housing Authority Staff, on the Family Self Sufficiency Program

 

Tabled Indefinitely

 

D.     Report from Ad Hoc Subcommittee for developing and disseminating a Housing Rights Brochure

 

Staff Liaison Hand reported on the availability of City Hall On Call and offered to send out a copy of what is already on the web site to the Commissioners.

 

E.     Reports from Commission Liaisons

 

Staff Liaison Hand reported on the Commission for the Senior Community meeting.

 

F.  Future agenda items

 

      Commissioner Agate requested that it be made clear that it is OK to bring water into the City Council Chambers.

 

      Member of the public Pro Se spoke

 

11.  Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. by Chair Arroyo.

APPROVED:                                                             ATTEST:

 

__________________________                          ______________________

Chris Arroyo, Chair                                                   Janet Hand, Staff Liaison