MINUTES

Santa Monica Disabilities Commission

Meeting:  August 1, 2005

Ken Edwards Center

1527 4th St., Santa Monica

 

 

1.      Call to Order

 

Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

 

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Arroyo

 

The Oath of Office was administered to Commissioners Boersma, Genensky and Parker by Staff Liaison Hand.

 

3.  Roll Call

 

      Present:  Commissioners, Arroyo, Berg, Boersma, Genensky, Knauf (arrived at 6:50pm), Parker and Weller

 

      Absent:  Commissioner Agate, Bogen and Richardson

 

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

 

4.  Approval of minutes of July 7, 2005 meeting

 

Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Parker seconded to accept the minutes of the July 7, 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 assisted five new Santa Monica consumers, they are presenting two honorees for the Westside Shelter Awards and that they will have a booth at the NBC Health & Fitness Expo in August.

 

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.

 

      Member of the public Genevieve Edwards spoke in favor of appointing Richard Hilton to the open Disabilities Commission position.

 

Member of the public Louisa Fish spoke about lack of transportation to a City sponsored meeting held on PCH.  Discussion ensued.

 

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 the brochure is in final stages of revision.  He had received comments, but did not have them ready to present.  Discussion ensued.

 

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 the budget changes and that the letter approved last month will be written and sent this month.

 

      C.  Report from Disabilities Awareness Month subcommittee

 

            Staff Liaison Hand summarized the ideas that the subcommittee had been researching.  Discussion ensued.

 

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

 

            Member of the public Richard Hilton gave an update of the City’s progress toward meeting the goal of having 30% of all new units be affordable.

 

Chair Arroyo reported on the delay in sending out the letter authorized by the Commission.  Commissioner Knauf requested a copy of the final draft.

 

      E.  Agenda planning for September retreat

 

            Chair Arroyo summarized the purpose of a retreat and the Disabilities Commission work plan which should come from the retreat.  Discussion ensued.

 

            Chair Arroyo brought up a problem with the September 17th retreat date.  Discussion ensued and consensus was that the retreat should be on September 24th and the next regular meeting should be on October 10th.

 

F.  Recommending an applicant for the Commissioner vacancy

 

      Member of the public Michele Christensen reported that she should not be considered an active candidate for the Disabilities Commission as the Social Services Commission has requested that she be appointed to their commission.

 

      Member of the public Richard Hilton spoke of his qualifications and requested support for his request to be appointed to the Disabilities Commission.

 

      Chair Arroyo summarized the candidates applying to be appointed to the Disabilities Commission.  Discussion ensued.  Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that the Disabilities Commission recommend Richard Hilton to the City Council as their first preference and T.J. Hill as their second preference to fill the vacant Commissioner position.  The motion passed on a voice and hand vote with no dissent.

 

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

 

A.     Reports from Commission Liaisons

 

Commissioner Genensky attended the meeting of the Commission for the Senior Community and reported that The Center for Healthy Aging gave a presentation about a new transportation system proposal.  Staff Liaison Hand gave background for the transportation system called ITN Santa Monica.

 

B.  Future agenda items

 

        None to Report.

 

10.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. by Chair Arroyo.

 

 

APPROVED:                                                             ATTEST:

 

__________________________                          ______________________

Chris Arroyo, Chair                                                Janet Hand, Staff Liaison