MINUTES

Santa Monica Disabilities Commission

Meeting:  April 4, 2005

Ken Edwards Center

1527 4th St., Santa Monica

 

 

1.      Call to Order

 

Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

 

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Arroyo

 

3.  Roll Call

 

      Present:  Commissioners Agate, Arroyo, Bogen, Genensky, Hilton, Knauf (arrived 6:50 pm), Parker, Richardson and Weller

 

      Absent:  Commissioners Berg and Boersma

 

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

 

4.  Approval of minutes of February 7, 2005 and March 7, 2005 meetings

 

Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Genensky seconded to accept the minutes of the February 7, 2005 meeting as amended.  The motion passed on a voice and hand vote with no dissent and Commissioners Weller and Hilton abstaining.

 

Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Richardson seconded to accept the minutes of the March 7, 2005 meeting as written.  The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.

 

 

5.      Report from WCIL’s SM Outreach Coordinator

 

Julie West gave a brief synopsis of the services available through WCIL and then reported on the referrals that WCIL had received during March, their attendance at the next Gang Violence Workshop on April 9th and the Senior Health Fair on April 30th.

 

6.      Announcements and Correspondence

 

None to Report.

 

7.   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.

 

      None to Report.

 

Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Weller seconded to change the order of the agenda to hear Item 9A after item 7 and then return to the original order of the agenda.  The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.

 

9A.  Presentation by staff and students of SaMoHi on the Circle of Friends Program

 

Staff Liaison Hand introduced Barbara Palilis, originator and faculty advisor to Circle of Friends.  Ms. Palilis gave background on the program, explaining why it was started, who participates and its goals.  Several parents and students who participate or volunteer in the program spoke in support of the program.  Discussion ensued.

 

Commissioner Hilton moved and Commissioner Weller seconded to sponsor the Circle of Friends year-end banquet with a $1,000. gift.  The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.

 

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

 

A.     Results of community meetings on proposed Step Up on Fifth housing for adults with mental illness

 

Staff Liaison Hand summarized the community meetings which have taken place, their outcomes and the Disabilities Commission’s options for further action.  Discussion ensued.

 

Members of the public Pro Se, Anita Phillips and Carlos Salazar spoke.

 

            Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that the Disabilities Commission support the Step Up On Fifth housing project.  The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.

 

B.  Report from Ad Hoc Subcommittee on housing information.

 

            Staff Liaison Hand explained the possibility of using the “City Hall On Call” service as an avenue for giving out information about the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants with disabilities.  Discussion ensued.

 

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

 

None to Report

 

D.  Advocacy on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s 05-06 budget proposal, including the MediCal redesign

 

            Staff Liaison Hand summarized the Disabilities Commission’s options at this point in the state’s budget process as it relates to people with disabilities.  Discussion ensued.

 

            Commissioner Agate moved and Commissioner Bogen seconded that the Disabilities Commission authorize its Chair and Vice Chair to take action that would support people with disabilities in case some action has to be taken before their next meeting.  The motion passed on a voice and hand vote with no dissent and Commissioner Knauf abstaining.

 

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

 

            Staff Liaison Hand detailed all the changes made to the restrooms at City Hall to make them accessible.  Discussion ensued.

 

            Member of the public Pro Se spoke.

 

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

 

B.  Presentation by staff on the City’s Active Living project

 

Staff Liaison Hand reported on the City’s Active Living project, what it is and how it relates to people with disabilities.  Discussion ensued.  The consensus was that the Disabilities Commission would like to be kept abreast of activities related to this citywide goal.

 

C.  Opportunity to tape segments for Non-Profit Profiles on CityTV

 

Staff Liaison Hand reported on the goals of this project and requested input on topics which would be good to discuss on the segments dealing with the Disabilities Commission.  Discussion ensued.

 

D.  Reports from Commission Liaisons

 

Commissioner Genensky reported on the Commission for the Senior Community meeting, and that there were no issues related to the Disabilities Commission.

 

Commissioner Hilton reported that at the January 20 and February 17 meetings of the Housing Commission, it was noted that the City failed in 2004 to meet the 30% low income housing requirement under Proposition R.  The actual net of low income housing was 17% that year citywide for all multi-family new construction.

 

E.  Future agenda items

 

        Commissioner Agate requested:  1. The City’s schedule for sidewalk repair, 2. setting a retreat date, 3. working on a script for the next Commission Dinner and 4. dealing with the sign at the door to the City Council Chambers making it clear that it is OK to bring water into the City Council Chambers.

 

      Commissioner Parker requested:  1. Follow up with Circle of Friends and a letter to the school board from the Disabilities Commission regarding the program and 2. discussion of Disabilities Awareness Month.

 

        Member of the public Pro Se spoke

 

10.    Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. by Chair Arroyo.

 

 

APPROVED:                                                             ATTEST:

 

__________________________                          ______________________

Chris Arroyo, Chair                                                Janet Hand, Staff Liaison