MINUTES
Special Meeting:
October 10, 2005
Ken Edwards Center
1. Call
to Order
Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 6:47 pm
2. Pledge
of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Chair Arroyo
3. Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Arroyo, Berg (arrived 7:32 pm), Boersma, Bogen, Genensky, Parker, Richardson and Weller (arrived 7:45 pm)
Absent: Commissioners Agate and Knauf
Also
present:
4. Administer
Oath of Office to incoming Commissioner Richard Hilton
The Oath of Office was administered to Commissioner Hilton by Staff Liaison Hand.
Member of the public Pro Se spoke, congratulating Commissioner Hilton on his appointment.
5. Approval
of minutes of September 24, 2005
Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Genensky seconded to
accept the minutes of the September 24, 2005 meeting as amended. The motion passed on a voice and hand vote
with no dissent.
6, Announcements
and Correspondence
Staff Liaison Hand announced the birth of a baby girl to Commissioner Knauf and his wife.
Commissioner Bogen announced that she has just celebrated her 31st birthday.
Commissioner Parker reported on an article in the Bayside Newsletter which stated the curb cuts were going to be eliminated in Downtown Santa Monica. Staff Liaison Hand will look into the article and report back to the Commission.
Commissioner Richardson reported on a Special Olympics event at an equestrian center and the nonprofit which sponsored it.
Commissioner Genensky reported that the Registry of Voters in the County of Los Angeles is testing a telephone voting system for the visually impaired. He also reported that the County of Los Angeles is again supplying voting information on cassette and CD for the November 8 election.
Commissioner Hilton reported on statistics about people who are homeless with disabilities based on a January survey in Los Angeles County. A handout provided a breakdown of reported disabilities. Of the homeless surveyed, the number reporting depression was 71%; second was alcohol(ism) at 54%.
An additional announcement was made by Julie West from WCIL’s Santa Monica Outreach Coordinator. WCIL continues to receive referrals from the Red Cross of individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina and they have developed a new relationship with the Salvation Army. Ms. West clarified her responsibilities when she is working at the Santa Monica office and when she is at the Venice office. Discussion ensued.
7. Annual Public Hearing: The Commission will hear from the public on topics of interest to the Commission and the disability community in Santa Monica. Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes unless there are 15 or more requests to speak, in which case the Commission may take action to reduce the length of time allotted to each speaker to two (2) minutes.
Member of
the public Pro Se thanked WCIL and Julie West for their assistance. He also spoke against the City and City staff who deny the disabled access to public places and
services.
Member of
the public Jason Neu spoke about the difficulty in obtaining a replacement for
a disabled bus pass.
Member of
the public Louisa Fish spoke about problems she was having with people who ride
bikes on the sidewalk and Big Blue Bus drivers who do not pull up to the curb,
and, instead are far from the curb at stops.
Member of
the public Linda Lee Hall questioned if the showers on 14th St. and
the pier had been closed, where disabled people can charge their wheelchairs
and what position the Disabilities Commission has taken on Housing First
philosophy vs. the Continuum of Care program.
Member of the public Elaine
Nichols spoke about recent problems she has been having with getting advocacy assistance
from WCIL. Discussion ensued.
8. Old Business: Discussion of and possible (further) action on:
A. Report from Disabilities Awareness Month subcommittee
Staff Liaison Hand summarized the topics of the global email she has sent
out each week to all City staff explaining a different disability and the article
that Commissioner Parker is writing for the newspapers. Discussion ensued.
B. Discussion of last draft of housing rights and responsibilities brochure
Chair Arroyo called for comments on the draft brochure. Commissioner Hilton gave several
recommendations and corrections. The
subject of graphics vs. no graphics was brought up. Discussion ensued. Staff Liaison Hand will have an updated
version ready for the Disabilities Commission’s November meeting.
C. Report on 415 planning workshop
Commissioners Richardson and Berg gave a report on the information given
at the workshop by the design team and on their recommendations on
accessibility issues. Discussion ensued. Staff Liaison Hand will request that the 415 PCH
Committee make a presentation to the Disabilities Commission. Commissioner Genensky moved and
Commissioner Bogen seconded that Commissioner Richardson be authorized to speak
on behalf of the Disabilities Commission at all planning meetings and workshops
concerning the 415 PCH Project. The
motion passed on a voice and hand vote with no dissent.
D. Review of FY 05-06 work plan and budget
Item tabled until next meeting.
Chair Arroyo
indicated that the Commission’s budget will depend on the items in the work
plan and will be discussed further at the October meeting. Staff Liaison Hand requested that an estimate
of the cost of the Accessibility Guide be brought to the October meeting.
9. New Business: Discussion of and possible action on:
A.
Future
agenda items
Commissioner
Boersma requested the topic of 415 PCH and also finding space in Santa Monica
for the Shane’s Inspiration Playground.
10. Meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m. by Chair Arroyo.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
__________________________ ______________________
Chris Arroyo, Chair