MINUTES

Santa Monica Disabilities Commission

Special Meeting: July 10, 2006

Ken Edwards Center

1527 4^th St., Santa Monica

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 Agate, Arroyo, Berg, Boersma, Genensky, Hilton, Knauf (arrived 6:54), Parker, Richardson and Weller (arrived 7:45).

Absent: Commissioner Bogen

Julia Brown, Staff Liaison; Denise Weddle, Staff Assistant, Human Services Division

4. Approval of minutes of June 5, 2006

Commissioner Hilton moved and Commissioner Boersma seconded to accept the minutes of the June 5, 2006 meeting as amended. The motion passed on a voice and hand vote 6-2-1.

5. Announcements and Correspondence

Commissioner Richardson recommended an article from the Wall Street Journal entitled “New Orleans Clarified Job Protections for Parents of Children with Disabilities” and a book entitled Eye Contact by Cammie McGovern.

Commissioner Knauf said there had been an interesting article in the Daily News about Guide Dogs.

Staff Liaison Brown announced that the City Clerk is holding Election Workshops on July 17^th at the Ken Edwards Center for those interested in running for City office.

Chair Arroyo announced that the state agency he works for has an employment opportunity as a client advocate.

Commissioner Genensky announced that he has been working with the Transportation Department to have a new talking traffic signal located at 23^rd and Wilshire Blvd. It will be of benefit to older citizens as well as people with visual problems.

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

Julie West reported that WCIL will again be participating in the NBC Health & Fitness Expo. She reported that WCIL will be working with the Human Services Division regarding beach parking and pier modifications. WCIL is trying to reschedule the BBB sensitivity training. They are becoming involved with the wrap around services connected to the Homeless Project and are working with the Visitors Bureau to contact Santa Monica hotels to make sure they are accessible for all activities.

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.

8. Report from Commission Liaisons

Commissioner Genensky reported that Barry Seid, 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 the October meeting.

Commissioner Richardson reported on the current litigation regarding 415 PCH. Discussion ensued.

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

A. Election of Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission

Election of the Chair. Commissioner Arroyo announced that Commissioner Knauf was the only nominee for this position. There was a voice and hand vote and Commissioner Knauf was elected to the position of Chair 8-0-1.

Chair Knauf took over the running of the meeting.

Election of the Vice Chair. Chair Knauf announced that Commissioner Arroyo was the only nominee for this position. There was a voice and hand vote and Commissioner Arroyo was elected to the position of Vice Chair 8-0-1.

B. 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. Staff Liaison Brown stated that the Main Library Auditorium has been booked from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm on October 7. Discussion ensued. Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Richardson seconded to create a Disabilities Awareness Month subcommittee. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote 10-0-0. Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that Chair Knauf and Commissioners Genensky, Arroyo, Parker and Richardson serve on the Disabilities Awareness Month subcommittee. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote 10-0-0.

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

A. Beach parking lots

Chair Knauf summarized the Disabilities Commission efforts regarding signage at the beach parking lots. Discussion ensued. Staff Liaison Brown will invite Andy Agle or Lucy Dyke to attend the next meeting to report on any improvements that have been made to signage around the beach lots and Elaine Polachek to report on how the Consent Decree will improve the beach area, including parking.

B. Agenda planning for September retreat

Staff Liaison Brown listed various options of how the Disabilities Commission could run their retreat and reminded them that a Community Voices focus group would take 45 minutes of their time. She explained the purpose of Community Voices. Discussion ensued. Staff Liaison Brown will invite someone from the City Manager’s Office to speak about how the Commissioners can be effective in the City in their role as Commissioners and will request that the Community Voices focus group be conducted at a meeting other than the retreat.

C. City staff sensitivity trainings

Commissioner Arroyo summarized past actions of the Disabilities Commission regarding requests for sensitivity training of City staff. Discussion ensued. Staff Liaison Brown will invite someone from the Human Resources Department to speak on the subject of sensitivity training in the City and to answer questions for the Commission.

D. Music in the background of CityTV programming

Tabled.

E. City sidewalk repairs

Tabled.

F. Future agenda items

Tabled.

11. Meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. by Chair Knauf.

Approved: Attest:

_______________________________ ________________________________

Christopher Knauf, Chair Julia Brown, Staff Liaison