MINUTES
Special Meeting:
January 9, 2006
1. Call
to Order
Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm
2. Pledge
of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Chair Arroyo
3. Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Arroyo, Agate (arrived 8:45); Berg, Boersma, Bogen, Genensky, Hilton, Parker, Richardson and Weller (arrived 7:45).
Absent: Commissioner Knauf
Also
present: Stacy Rowe, Human Services
Administrator;
4. Approval
of minutes of November 7, 2005
Commissioner Hilton moved and Commissioner
5. Announcements
and Correspondence
Commissioner
Commissioner Hilton reported on Medi-Cal changes as of January 2006.
6. WCIL
update—Julie West
Julie West reported
that WCIL received 22 referrals, 10 from WISE Senior Services. She announced that there will be a Roommate Mixer
on January 19 at the WCIL office in
Member of the public Pro Se spoke in appreciation to WCIL and Julie West for assistance in obtaining a wheel chair for him while his was being repaired.
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 Louisa Fish spoke about the inaccuracy of the bus information on the
agenda, requested that Dial-a-Ride information be available in additional
locations, not just the vans and that Dial-a-Ride expand its hours in the
summer and to/from City Hall on nights when there are meetings.
Member of
the public Pro Se requested that the Disabilities Commission have agenda items
to 1) create a step by step guide on how to file a formal complaint of
discrimination against the City and 2) to write a letter to the City of Beverly
Hills in support of the formation of Disabilities and Senior Commissions in
that city.
Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Parker seconded to change the order of the agenda to hear Items 8C and 9A next and then return to the original order of the agenda. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.
8. C. 415
PCH design update and possible next steps
9. A. Presentation
on the formation of a Relocation Appeals Board
Nia Tang, Sr.
Administrative Analyst, Redevelopment Agency explained the purpose of the newly
created Relocation Appeals Board and requested that a Commissioner from the
Disabilities Commission volunteer to serve on the Board. Discussion ensued. Commissioners Bogen
and Hilton expressed an interest in serving on the board. A roll call vote ensued with Commissioner
Hilton receiving the majority of the votes 8-0-1. Commissioner Hilton recused
himself from voting. Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Genensky seconded to appoint Commissioner Hilton to fill
the vacancy on the Relocation Appeals Board as directed by the City
Council. The motion passed 8-0-1 with
Commissioner Hilton abstaining.
8. Old Business: Discussion of and possible (further) action on:
A. Review of FY 05-06 work plan and budget
Tabled until the February meeting. Staff will send a copy of work plan with the
minutes.
B. Collaboration with other commissions on common goals
Chair Arroyo summarized the ideas which had been discussed in September
and why this item was agendized. Discussion ensued. Commissioners Agate, Bogen,
Parker and Weller would like to meet with Commissioners/staff liaison from
other Commissions to informally discuss collaboration on issues of common
interest.
D. Distribution of housing rights and responsibilities brochure
Chair Arroyo led
a discussion of changes to be made to the brochure.
Member of the
public Pro Se spoke, suggesting that Emotional Support or Therapy Animal be
added to be applied to people with nonphysical disabilities.
Chair
Arroyo moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that the Disabilities Commission
approve the content of this brochure as submitted with the exception of four
considerations: 1) City Staff will investigate and utilize the appropriate
terms for Service/Assistive Animals; and review Grammar; 2) phrases under
“Responsibilities of Tenants with Disabilities” will be changed to read “pay a
security deposit and maintain the unit; 3) the word “personal” will be added
before “complaints” under the Santa Monica Disabilities Commission heading and
4) Consider eliminating the phrase “disability-related” before the word “complaints”
two lines above
E. Review and approval of draft accessibility
guide to Santa Monica
Tabled.
F. Recommendations to City Council for January
budget hearing
Member of the
public Pro Se expressed a need for closed captioning on CityTV
and a clear, step by step guide on how to file a formal complaint of
discrimination against the City.
Chair Arroyo
summarized the six items on the draft letter written to City Council giving the
Disabilities Commission input for the budget process. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Parker moved and
Commissioner Weller seconded that the letter be approved with the six changes
noted and be submitted to City Council.
The motion passed on a voice and hand vote with no dissent.
9. New Business:
Discussion of and possible action on:
B. Presentation
on Housing First —
Tabled.
C.
Support
for Martin Luther King Day event
Commissioner
Parker moved and Commissioner Bogen seconded to
sponsor the Martin Luther King Jr. Event and authorize the Chair and City Staff
to sponsor an amount up to $100. The
motion carried on a voice and hand vote 9-0-1 with Commissioner Agate
abstaining.
D.
Development
of concept and script for Boards and Commissions Dinner video
Tabled.
E.
Special
meeting for discussion of visitability ordinance
Tabled.
Chair
Arroyo moved and Commissioner Bogen seconded to
empower Disabilities Commission Liaisons to other Commissions to advocate visitability between now and the next meeting. The motion carried on a voice and hand vote
with no dissent.
Chair Arroyo moved
and Commissioner Genensky seconded to appoint
Commissioner Hilton as the Disabilities Commission Liaison to the Housing
Commission. The motion carried on a
voice and hand vote with no dissent.
Commissioner
Boersma moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that
Chair Arroyo and City Staff write a letter that advocates for visitability to the Commissions that will hear that issue
or agendize that issue. The motion carried on a voice and hand vote
with no dissent.
F.
Future
agenda items
Member of the
public Pro Se spoke in favor of the City providing a written step by step guide
on how to file a formal complaint for discrimination against the City and that
the Disabilities Commission support the formation of a Disabilities Commission
in the City of Beverly Hills.
Commissioner Agate
would like to see a review of the Disabilities Commission website.
10. Meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m. by Chair Arroyo.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
__________________________ ______________________
Chris Arroyo, Chair