MINUTES

Santa Monica Disabilities Commission

Special Meeting: October 9, 2006

Ken Edwards Center

1527 4^th St., Santa Monica

1. Call to Order

Chair Knauf called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm

2. Roll Call

Present: Commissioners Agate, Arroyo, Berg, Boersma, Bogen, Genensky, Hilton, Knauf, Parker, Richardson and Weller.

Absent: None

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

3. Approval of minutes of the August 7, 2006 and September 16, 2006 Meetings

Commissioner Arroyo moved and Commissioner Richardson seconded to accept the minutes of the August 7, 2006 meeting as amended. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.

Commissioner Richardson moved and Commissioner Genensky seconded to accept the minutes of the September 16, 2006 as written. The motion passed 9-0-2 on a voice and hand vote. Commissioners Parker and Weller abstained.

4. Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) update: Discussion of and possible action on items presented by Julie West, WCIL

Julie West reported that she had 6 assistive technology referrals and that Lalie Alverez, Case Manager at WCIL had 3 referrals this month from Santa Monica, that WCIL is not accepting housing referrals and that WCIL will be participating in the City of Santa Monica’s Charitable Giving Campaign. WCIL will also be participating in the Disabilities Commission’s Disability Awareness Month event on October 28^th. Discussion ensued.

Chair Knauf presented Commissioner Arroyo with a plaque from the Disabilities Commission in appreciation for his leadership and work on behalf of the Commission for 2003 through 2006. Applause and discussion ensued.

9. New Business

A. Request of Human Services Division staff for Commission input to Community Voices 2006

Danielle Noble, Senior Administrative Analyst with the Human Services Division facilitated a focus group intended to guide the development of guidelines for the community development grant program. The next 3-year, $6.5 million funding cycle will begin in July. In the context of social services, fitness/health/recreation, and cultural/educational enrichment, Ms. Noble solicited Commission input on the following four questions:

· What are the important community issues/needs residents in Santa Monica face today?

Commission comments focused on a general lack of awareness of how to serve people with disabilities.

· What different types of programs might meet these needs?

Commission suggestions included: City staff sensitivity training; job services for people with disabilities; system navigation services for people with disabilities; an emergency service fund for the whole community; more disability-friendly housing/buildings; improved sidewalk, curb and bike lane accessibility; and more accessible transportation services.

· What are the most common barriers residents experience when attempting to obtain services?

The Commission felt that attitudes toward people with disabilities, discrimination and system complexity were barriers to service.

· Do you believe there are additional groups or populations that require particular attention from the City?

The Commission identified families with young children, children with disabilities, the homeless, the uninsured/underinsured, and people with mental health issues as groups requiring particular attention.

Commission input will be combined with comments from other focus groups.

5. Announcements and Correspondence

Commissioner Parker announced that there is going to be a major exhibit by the Arts and Disabilities Network on November 16^th in Long Beach which will be open to all artists with disabilities.

Staff Liaison Brown read a letter from Robin Gee, Cable TV Manager, sent in response to the Disabilities Commission request to caption election programming.

Commissioner Bogen announced she had attended the unveiling of the new stop light at 23^rd and Wilshire Blvd.

Commissioner Richardson commented on an article and picture that had appeared in the Santa Monica Sun, honoring Commissioner Genensky for his involvement in The Center for the Partially Sighted.

Commissioner Arroyo announced that the Special Education Advocacy Training Program in which he is participating will continue for 6 months, so he will only be able to attend 3 meetings until the training is complete.

Commissioner Arroyo also announced that there had been an article about the Disabilities Commission Chair Knauf in the Santa Monica Daily Press.

Commissioner Genensky announced that election information is available on cassettes and gave the phone number to call: 562-462-2117.

Commissioner Hilton, liaison to the Housing Commission, said that HUD has granted, effective October, an increase in the Sect. 8 payment standard. This is the money the City gets from HUD for Sect. 8-participating landlords. HUD has approved increases in the housing assistance payment (HAP) as follows: 1-bedroom, $148.00, 2-bedroom, $176.00, and 3-bedroom, $389.00. Commissioner Hilton said the F.Y. 2006-07 budget for Sect. 8 is $14,862,200.

9. New Business

B. Request of Chair Knauf for discussion of and possible action on proposed Step Up on Second project location

Tod Lipka, Executive Director of Step Up On Second, reported on the plans for their Daniel’s Place project which would house young adults with mental illness, the funding necessary, and the community’s response. Discussion ensued. Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Parker seconded that the Disabilities Commission write a letter to City Staff supporting Step Up’s project and the City’s financing of the project. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.

6. Public Input: Public comment was permitted only on items listed on the agenda.

None to Report.

7. Report from Commission Liaisons

Commissioner Richardson gave an update on the 415 PCH project reporting that the lawsuit has been settled and summarizing the progress on the building plans. Discussion ensued.

8. Old Business

A. Discussion of and possible action on report from ad hoc subcommittee on Disabilities Awareness Month

Chair Knauf gave an update on the activities planned for the Disabilities Awareness Month event to be held October 28^th at the Main Library. Discussion ensued.

B. Request of Chair Knauf for discussion of and possible action on amendments to the By-Laws for the Santa Monica Disabilities Commission

Tabled.

C. Request of Commissioner Agate for discussion of and possible action on City sidewalk repairs

Staff Liaison Brown gave a summary of the information she had received from City departments involved in sidewalk repairs explaining how they respond to resident complaints. Discussion ensued.

Member of the public Louisa Fish stated that City Yards and Transportation Management are helpful, but she is concerned about the holes in the streets and the danger it poses when trying to cross the street on foot.

9. New Business

3. Request of Commissioner Parker to submit to City Staff a request to include additional disability accommodation information in the City’s Accessibility Guidelines for events

Tabled.

D. Future agenda items

Commissioner Parker requested an update of the proposed alterations to the pier and in particular pedestrian access to the pier. Commissioner Parker also recommended that the Commission start to discuss the January budget recommendations.

Staff Liaison Brown requested that the Commission discuss how and if it wants to be involved in the City’s RFP process this year. She will send an email before the next meeting detailing options.

10. Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. by Chair Knauf.

Approved: Attest:

_______________________________ ________________________________

Christopher Knauf, Chair Julia Brown, Staff Liaison