MINUTES

Santa Monica Disabilities Commission

Meeting:  May 1, 2006

Ken Edwards Center

1527 4th St., Santa Monica

 

 

1.      Call to Order

 

Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm

 

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was not recited, due to lack of a flag

 

3.  Roll Call

 

      Present:  Commissioners Arroyo, Agate (arrived 6:55 pm), Boersma, Berg, Genensky, Hilton, Knauf, Parker, Richardson and Weller.

 

      Absent:  Commissioner Bogen

     

      Also present:  Janet Hand, Staff Liaison; Julia Brown, Administrative Analyst, Human Services Division

 

Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Parker seconded to hear Item 10A next and then return to the regular order of the agenda.  The motion passed on a voice and hand vote with no dissent.

 

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

 

A.  Discussion of and possible action on:  Mental Health Awareness Month

 

Edmund D. Edelman, Esq., Dr. Karen Williams, Ruth Hollman, Anna T. Swett, and Judith Holtz presented on causes of and solutions for mental health issues such as homelessness, the Mental Health Services Act, collaborative housing for persons with mental illness, the L.A. Countywide Client Coalition, and peer counseling, respectively.

 

Chair Arroyo returned to the original agenda order.

 

4.   Approval of minutes of March 6, 2006

 

Commissioner Hilton moved and Commissioner Boersma seconded to accept the minutes of the April 3, 2006 meeting as amended.  The motion passed 9-0-1 with Commissioner Agate abstaining.

 

5.   Announcements and Correspondence

 

      Staff Liaison Hand announced the availability of display space at a Community Corporation of Santa Monica project.

 

Staff Liaison Hand announced a public forum regarding experiences with Federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities programs to be held Monday, May 22, 2006 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at Protection and Advocacy on Wilshire.

 

Member of the Public Louisa Fish announced via Staff Liaison Hand a public hearing for Access Services on Thursday, May 11, 2006 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the MTA Boardroom.  Information: (800) 827-0829.

 

Staff Liaison Hand announced the Annual Santa Monica Festival to be held May 13, 2006 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at Clover Park.

 

Staff Liaison Hand announced the availability on the City website of an Information Item regarding the City of Santa Monica’s participation in the Tucker v. State of California consent decree to remove barriers to accessibility at the Santa Monica State Beach.

 

Staff Liaison Hand announced that the mailing of the Tenant/Landlord brochure to the Rent Control mailing list would cost approximately $624 more than expected in postage.

 

Commissioner Agate announced the availability of a homeless services referral guide on the City website and at public counters/libraries.  City staff also noted that another version of the card intended to assist residents and business owners with any issues related to homelessness is available as well.

 

Commissioners Arroyo and Parker thanked Julia Brown for her assistance during Staff Liaison Hand’s absence. 

 

6.   Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) update—Julie West

 

Julie West reported that WCIL will be helping to facilitate the Westside Health and Wellness conference being sponsored by the Older Adult Task Force of the City of Santa Monica.  She reported that a temp, Susan Jones, LCSW will being filling in for Lalie Alvarez during her maternity leave.  She reported that WCIL received 8 referrals from WISE and approximately 8 more from various medical offices within the last week.  Julie also expressed appreciation for Judith Holtz, who represented WCIL during agenda item 10A.

 

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.

 

      A member of the public spoke about his personal experiences with mental health and related medications.

 

8.   Report from Commission Liaisons

 

      No reports.

 

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

 

A.  Collaboration with other commissions on common goals, including appointing liaisons

 

Tabled.

 

B.  Captioning at City Council Meetings

 

Staff reported on findings related to the feasibility of displaying captioning in Council Chambers.  Discussion ensued.  The Commission will draft a letter advocating for the one-time expense of approximately $6,000 on an LED display for Council Chambers. 

 

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

 

B.  Nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair of the Commission

 

Chair Arroyo requested nominations for the position of Chair.  Commissioner Parker nominated and Commissioner Genensky seconded the nomination of Commissioner Knauf for Chair.  Commissioner Knauf accepted the nomination.  As there were no other nominations, nominations were closed. 

 

Chair Arroyo requested nominations for Vice Chair. Commissioner Genensky nominated and Commissioner Weller seconded the nomination of Chair Arroyo for Vice Chair.  Chair Arroyo accepted the nomination.  As there were no other nominations, nominations were closed.

 

C.  Selection of possible dates for annual retreat of the Disabilities Commission

 

Following discussion, September 9, 2006 and September 16, 2006 were selected as possible dates.  A vote will be held at the June meeting.

 

D.  Future agenda items

 

Chair Arroyo noted that the item Beach Parking Lots was a reminder to continue the issue forward from the previous meeting.

 

Staff Liaison Hand requested: 1) letter regarding captioning in Council Chambers, 2) Retreat date selection, 3) Disabilities Awareness Month (and the CCSM display space available), 4) Emergency Preparedness, 5) Possible action opposing the sale of the Armory, and 6) increased price of the Rent Control mailing.

 

Commissioner Hilton requested a discussion of AB 651.

 

Chair Arroyo requested similar presentations to agenda item 10A in the future.

 

11. Meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m. by Chair Arroyo with a note of thanks to Commissioner Hilton for his extensive work on agenda item 10A.

 

Approved:                                                                  Attest:

 

 

_______________________________              ________________________________

Chris Arroyo, Chair                                                   Julia Brown, Staff Liaison