MINUTES
Meeting: June
5, 2006
1. Call
to Order
Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm
2. Pledge
of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Chair Arroyo
3. Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Agate, Arroyo, Berg, Boersma, Bogen, Genensky, Hilton, Knauf, Parker and Weller.
Absent: Commissioner Richardson
Julia
Brown, Staff Liaison;
4. Approval
of minutes of May 1, 2006
Commissioner Genensky
moved and Commissioner Boersma seconded to accept the
minutes of the May 1, 2006 meeting as written.
The motion passed on a
voice and hand vote with no dissent.
5. Announcements
and Correspondence
Commissioner
Bogen announced she is taking a trip to
Commissioner Hilton outlined the Big Blue Bus fare increase proposal which City Council will hear on June 13. The cash increase for the disabled will be 35 cents instead of the current 25 cents per one-way trip.
Commissioner
Weller announced that she has been appointed to the Board of Directors of
People First of California, a statewide organization. She will represent
Commissioner Agate asked if it was too late for the Disabilities Commission to take a stand on the BBB fare increase. As it was not on the agenda, it could not be discussed.
Staff
Liaison Brown announced that
Staff Liaison Brown announced that on June 7, the Planning Commission is having a meeting regarding the Draft Land Use and Circulation Element Goals.
Staff Liaison Brown reminded the Commission that their next meeting falls on July 3. Commissioner Parker moved and Commissioner Bogen seconded that the July Disabilities Commission meeting be moved from July 3 to July 10. The motion passed 8-1-1 with Commissioner Knauf abstaining.
Staff Liaison Brown reminded the three Commissioners whose terms are ending to submit their responses to the City Clerk’s office.
6.
Julie West reported
that WCIL helped to organize and participated in the Assistive Technology Expo
and also participated in a networking event sponsored by the Commission for the
Senior Community. She reported that
unfortunately, the BBB cancelled a Sensitivity Training session, but did not
let WCIL or participating consumers know.
She announced that WCIL were again featured at the NBC Health and
Fitness Expo. She again mentioned that
WCIL is out of emergency funds until July 1.
Julie announced WCIL will be involved in more emergency preparedness,
they will be doing some sensitivity training at the Santa Monica Police
Department and they are involved with a new coalition with the
Member of the public Pro Se requested that the Disabilities Commission write a letter to various City Departments regarding the lack of training, lack of sensitivity and lack of access for people with various disabilities.
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.
No public
input.
Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Weller 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. Emergency Preparedness
in the City of
Paul Weinberg, the Emergency Services Coordinator at Fire Support
Services gave the background for a group called SMOAD (Santa Monica
Organizations Active in Disaster) and its purpose before and during a disaster
and answered questions about special preparations persons with disabilities may
need to make in advance of a major disaster.
Discussion ensued.
Member of the public Julie West urged that the problems that people on
respirators have during an emergency situation be addressed.
Chair Arroyo returned to the original agenda order.
8. Report from Commission Liaisons
Commissioner Genensky reported that
Barry Seid, former Chair of the Commission for the
Senior Community would like to make a presentation to the Disabilities
Commission and requested that it be agendized at a
future meeting.
Commissioner Hilton announced that he will have a report next
month on affordable housing production program approved amendments and the
budget for the affordable housing program for 2006-07.
Chair Arroyo requested that a copy of the Social Services
Commission agendas be sent to the Disabilities Commission Chair.
9. Old Business: Discussion of and possible (further) action on:
A. Distribution of housing rights and responsibilities brochure
Staff Liaison Brown gave an update of postage costs for the distribution
of this brochure. Chair Arroyo
moved and Commissioner Agate seconded that City Staff spend sufficient funds
from the Disabilities Commission budget to cover photocopying and distribution
of the Housing Rights and Responsibilities brochure. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and
hand vote. Chair Arroyo requested that copies of the
brochure be given to each Commissioner for distribution.
B. Captioning at City Council Meetings
Chair Arroyo
explained the draft letter to City Council requesting a one time expenditure of
City funds for captioning in the City Council Chambers during the City Council
Meetings. Discussion ensued. Chair Arroyo moved and Commissioner Parker seconded that the
Disabilities Commission empower the Chair to sign the final letter and submit
it to City Council. The motion passed
unanimously on a voice and hand vote.
C. Elections for Chair and Vice-Chair of the Commission
Tabled.
D. Selection of date for annual retreat of the
Disabilities Commission
Chair Arroyo
explained that September 9, 2006 and September 16, 2006 had been selected as
possible dates for the annual retreat. Discussion
ensued. Commissioner Boersma
moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that the Disabilities Commission annual
retreat be held on September 16, 2006.
The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote. Discussion
ensued with the time of the retreat being set at 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
E. Disabilities Awareness Month (October)
activity: Speakers programs at the Main
Library
Commissioner
Parker gave a summary of activities and ideas that have been suggested for
Disabilities Awareness Month. Discussion
ensued. The Commission requested that
Staff Liaison Brown research and provide a pricing
schedule for newspaper ads. It was
requested that all ideas be sent to Commissioners Agate and Parker for final
discussion and decision at the Commission’s July meeting. Staff Liaison Brown will book a room at the
Library for the event.
10. New
Business: Discussion of and possible
action on:
B. AB 651 –
Commissioner
Hilton summarized the history and purpose of AB 651. The bill would legalize the terminally ill to
end their lives with physician assistance.
AB 651 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. A 13 page text of AB 651 was
distributed. Discussion ensued. It was agreed by consensus not to take a
position on the bill.
C. Future agenda items (Beach Parking Lots)
Staff Liaison
Brown will research the issue of Beach Parking Lots.
Chair Arroyo
requested discussion of disability awareness sensitivity training and the
situation that occurred with the BBB and WCIL’s John
Whitbread
Commissioner Agate
requested discussion of the problem of background music during programs on CityTV.
Commissioner
Agate requested an update on the subject of sidewalks in the City that need
repair.
Chair Arroyo
asked Commissioner Genensky to request Commissioner Seid from the Commission for the Senior Community send him
an email requesting that he be put on the agenda.
11. Meeting was adjourned at 8:57 p.m. by Chair Arroyo.
Approved: Attest:
_______________________________ ________________________________
Chris Arroyo, Chair Julia Brown, Staff Liaison