MINUTES
Meeting: November
7, 2005
Ken Edwards Center
1. Call
to Order
Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm
2. Pledge
of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Chair Arroyo
3. Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Arroyo, Agate; Berg (arrived
7:04), Boersma,
Absent: Commissioner Bogen
Also
present:
4. Approval
of minutes of October 10, 2005
Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner
5. Announcements
and Correspondence
Commissioner
Chair Arroyo announced that there would be a farewell reception for retiring City Manager McCarthy at the Miles Playhouse in Reed Park on December 8. Donations may be made in her name to PAL.
Commissioner
Knauf announced that there will be a dinner at the Sheraton Fairmont in
Commissioner Parker questioned why the Assistive Listening device was not available again.
6. WCIL
update—Julie West
Julie West reported
that WCIL continues to receive referrals from the Red Cross and an increase in
referrals from WISE Senior Services. She
announced that there will be a Roommate Mixer on November 17 at the WCIL office
in
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 Trisha Roth, M.D., Esther Schiller, Marlene Gomez and Sharon
Miller spoke about the dangers of second hand smoke and the impact that it has
on many people with disabilities.
Discussion ensued.
Member of
the public Elaine Nichols spoke about recent problems she has been having with BBB
and getting advocacy assistance from WCIL.
Discussion ensued.
8. Old Business: Discussion of and possible (further) action on:
A. Discussion of final draft of housing rights and responsibilities brochure
Member of the public Sally Lucas spoke.
She would like to see a statement regarding landlords’ responsibility to
maintain accessible common areas added to the brochure. Discussion ensued and it was agreed to add a
statement to the brochure dealing with this subject.
Various recommendations were suggested by the Commissioners present. Discussion ensued. Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner
Weller seconded to accept the brochure as written adding the additional
recommendations made at this meeting.
The motion passed on a voice and hand vote 9-0-1 with Commissioner
Hilton abstaining.
B. Review of FY 05-06 work plan and budget
Chair Arroyo reviewed the work plan developed during the Disabilities
Commission retreat. Discussion ensued. The Commissioners then prioritized 7 issues
for handling: Public awareness,
functional vs. technical accessibility, getting around issues, voting
accessibility, noise levels in restaurants, landlord education and wheelchair
access to bike lanes.
Staff Liaison Hand then summarized possible uses of the Commission’s
budget. Discussion ensued.
Member of the public Julie West requested an explanation of functional
vs. technical accessibility and spoke about the acoustical problems caused by
high ceilings in restaurants and possible solutions.
Staff Liaison Hand reminded them that their most important deadlines are
the City Budget Hearing and the Welcome Wagon packet. She will draft a packet and submit at the
December meeting.
Member of the public Louisa Fish expressed concerns about reaching the
sidewalk over parkways mid-block in areas where driveways are eliminated.
C. Collaboration with other commissions on common goals
Chair Arroyo indicated that it is important for the Disabilities
Commission to collaborate with other Commissions. Commissioner Hilton recommended the
Commission form a liaison with the Housing Commission. The topic will be agendized next month.
Member of the public Louisa Fish spoke to the importance of being aware
of what the other City Commissions are working on.
D. Update on in lieu fees for housing developers
Chair Arroyo reported
that City Council has increase the housing in lieu fees. He recommended that the Commission look at
the effect of this action in about 10 months.
E. Update on Active Living campaign
Staff Liaison
Hand gave a summary of the latest activities of this committee and her
involvement.
F. Update on Virginia Avenue Park reopening
Staff Liaison
Hand announced that the Farmer’s Market would return on November 5 and a full
reopening on December 4.
G. 415 PCH design update and next steps
Staff Liaison
Hand recommended that the Commission request a presentation from the Design
committee. Commissioner Richardson gave
a summary of her discussions with the project manager and the Annenberg
Foundation. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Knauf moved and
Commissioner Boersma seconded that a letter be written encouraging the City Council
to include a playground for children with disabilities, like Shane’s Inspiration,
in the 415 project. The motion passed on
a voice and hand vote with no dissent.
9. New Business:
Discussion of and possible action on:
A.
Development
of accessibility guide to Santa Monica
This topic was
discussed earlier, in Item 8B
B. Recommendations to City Council for January
budget hearing
Staff Liaison
Hand reviewed the five City-wide objectives and the Disabilities Commission’s
past recommendations. Discussion ensued.
C. Future agenda items
Commissioner
Parker requested information on smoke free housing, disaster preparedness and
the feasibility of sponsoring a provider’s meeting.
Commissioner
Agate is also interested in the smoke free housing issue.
10. Meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m. by Chair Arroyo.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
__________________________ ______________________
Chris Arroyo, Chair