MINUTES

Santa Monica Disabilities Commission

Meeting:  June 6, 2005

Ken Edwards Center

1527 4th St., Santa Monica

 

 

1.      Call to Order

 

Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.

 

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Arroyo

 

3.  Roll Call

 

      Present:  Commissioners Agate, Arroyo, Berg, Boersma (arrived at 6:42 pm), Bogen, Genensky, Hilton, Parker, Richardson (left at 7:47 pm) and Weller

 

      Absent:  Commissioner Knauf

 

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

 

4.  Approval of minutes of May 2, 2005 meeting

 

Commissioner Genensky moved and Commissioner Weller seconded to accept the minutes of the May 2, 2005 meeting as written.  The motion passed on a voice and hand vote with no dissent.

 

5.      Report from WCIL’s SM Outreach Coordinator

 

Julie West reported that WCIL is very active in working with consumers who need housing referrals and will be hosting a workshop to assist in accessing available housing.  They are also hosting a Roommate Registry mixer.

 

Member of the public Pro Se spoke.

 

6.      Announcements and Correspondence

 

Staff Liaison Hand reported on a flyer she had distributed regarding county mental health support and educational opportunities for family members of individuals of mental illness.

 

Member of the public Pro Se spoke.

 

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.

 

      Members of the public Hugh Hallenberg and Pro Se spoke.

 

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

 

9B.  Presentation on the City’s draft Consolidated Plan

 

      Stacy Rowe, Human Services Administrator explained various sections in the City’s Consolidated Plan which is required for HUD funding.  Discussion ensued.

 

      Member of the public Pro Se spoke.

 

9C.  Year-end budget recommendations to City Council

 

      Staff Liaison Hand summarized the Disabilities Commission’s prior discussions and list of possible recommendations to City Council.  Discussion ensued.

 

      Member of the public Pro Se spoke.

 

Commissioner Parker moved and Commissioner Bogen seconded to form a subcommittee to study the budget recommendations that the Disabilities Commission would like make in the form of a letter to City Council.  The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.  A subcommittee was formed consisting of Chair Arroyo and Commissioners Berg, Bogen and Parker.  Commissioner Boersma will act as an advisor to the subcommittee.

 

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

 

A.     Report from Ad Hoc subcommittee for developing and disseminating a Housing Rights Brochure

 

            Chair Arroyo reported that he had received comments, but did not have them ready to present.  Staff Liaison Hand reminded the Commission of the time constraints if the funds are to come out of this Fiscal Year’s budget.  Discussion ensued.  Consensus was to bring final copy to next Commission meeting for approval.

 

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

 

            Chair Arroyo and Staff Liaison Hand reported the latest information on proposed budget changes.  Discussion ensued.

 

            Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that Chair Arroyo,  Commissioner Parker and Staff Liaison Hand be empowered to compose a letter to the current California administration that opposes proposed cuts in IHSS and SSP.  The motion unanimously on a voice and hand vote.

 

C.  Date and place of July meeting

 

      Chair Arroyo announced that the Disabilities Commission’s July meeting will be on July 7th, as the first Monday is a holiday, and will be located at the WISE Adult Day Service Center, 1510 Pico Blvd.

 

D. Date and time for the annual retreat

 

            Chair Arroyo summarized the purpose of the Commission’s annual retreat and announced that it would be held on September 17th at the Ken Edwards Center.  The time will be 9:30 am to 2:00 pm.

 

      E.  Report from Disabilities Awareness Month subcommittee

 

            There was nothing to discuss at this time.  Subcommittee members are Commissioners Bogen, Boersma, Parker and Weller and Staff Liaison Hand.  Commissioner Berg was added to the subcommittee.

 

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

 

A.  Election of Chair and Vice Chair for FY 05-06

 

Staff Liaison Hand reported that, per the by-laws, elections occur at the July meeting.  Item tabled to July meeting.

 

D.  Review of and possible support for the proposed onsite inclusionary affordable housing ordinance

 

        Commissioner Hilton explained the history of this ordinance and summarized the main points of the joint meeting of the Housing and Planning Commissions.  Discussion ensued.  Commissioner Hilton moved and Chair Arroyo seconded that a letter be written in support of the City Council’s changes to the affordable housing production program especially the increase in the in lieu fees.  The motion carried on a voice and hand vote with Commissioner Agate abstaining.  Commissioner Hilton will write the letter by the next Disabilities Commission meeting.

 

E.     Review of commission’s expenditures for FY 04-05

 

Chair Arroyo clarified the amount left in the Commission’s budget.  Commissioner Agate moved and Commissioner Bogen seconded that the Commission’s remaining funds not be spent.  The motion passed on a 6-3-0 vote.

 

F.     Reports from Commission Liaisons

 

Commissioner Hilton spoke about the April 21 Housing Commission meeting.  He said there was discussion about CCSM’s new 36 unit affordable building (s) at 2411-23 Centinela Avenue.  The cost, $5,519,545, is being paid mostly from State loans.  He also distributed a list of 4 other CCSM projects.  Commissioner Hilton said the new buildings will add 212 low/moderate income units to CCSM’s current 1,182 unit inventory.

 

Commissioner Genensky attended the meeting of the Commission for the Senior Community and reported that there were no items that would affect the Disabilities Commission.

 

G.  Future agenda items

 

        Commissioner Agate requested 1) that items she had brought up in the past months would be considered and 2) that more planning be put into the Disabilities Commission’s presentation at the annual Board and Commission meeting.  Discussion ensued.

 

 

10.  Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. by Chair Arroyo.

 

 

APPROVED:                                                             ATTEST:

 

__________________________                          ______________________

Chris Arroyo, Chair                                                Janet Hand, Staff Liaison