MINUTES
Special Meeting:
January 2, 2007
Main Library
1. Call
to Order
Vice Chair Arroyo called the meeting to order at 5:41 pm
2. Roll
Call
Present: Commissioners Arroyo, Berg, Boersma (arrived 5:47 pm), Genensky, Hilton, Knauf, Parker, Richardson and Weller
Absent: Commissioners Agate and Bogen
Also
present: Julia Brown, Staff Liaison;
3. Approval
of minutes of the December 4, 2006 meeting
Commissioner Weller moved and Commissioner Genensky seconded
to accept the minutes of the December 4, 2006 meeting as written. The motion passed 7-0-2 on a hand and voice vote.
4. Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL)
update: Discussion of and possible
action on items presented by Julie West, WCIL
Julie
West reported that there had been six referrals during the month. She reported that the Cold Weather Shelters
are open and gave the pick up locations and times. She announced that WCIL is hosting a roommate
mixer on January 12th.and that there are positions open for a
bilingual Peer Support Program Teacher and an Assistance Program Advocate. Julie reported that businesses in
5. Announcements
and Correspondence
Staff Liaison Brown announced that the Homeless Evaluation will be posted online by January 3, 2007. Next month she will have information about ways the Disabilities Commission is able to be involved in the implementation of the evaluation’s recommendations.
Commissioner Hilton said that a recent state appellate court interpretation ruled that the seizure of funds from seniors’ direct deposit accounts was legal to pay for overdraft and fees owed to the bank. He said the ruling affects 1.3 million seniors who had or have Social Security direct deposit accounts. Commissioner Hilton said public benefit direct deposit accounts such as SSI, GR and child support remain protected from bank seizure under a 1974 state Supreme Court decision.
Chair
Knauf reported the
6. Public Input:
Public comment is permitted only on items listed on this agenda. No other business is permitted. Each speaker is limited to two (2) minutes.
None to Report
7. Report from Commission Liaisons
None to Report.
8. Old Business
A. Request of Commissioner Parker for discussion of and possible action on recommendations to the City Council on the FY 07-08 City budget
Member of the public Louisa Fish suggested
that the budget recommendations should include extension of Dial-a-Ride hours
and making the internet available to more people.
Chair Knauf requested comments/edits to
the draft letter written giving the Disabilities Commission’s budget
recommendations to Council. Discussion
ensued. Chair Knauf moved and
Commissioner Genensky seconded to accept the letter presented with the edits as
discussed. The motion passed unanimously
on a hand and voice vote
B. Request of Chair Knauf for discussion of and
possible action on amendments to the Rules (formerly by-laws) for the
Commissioner Hilton presented the changes the subcommittee had made to
the document. As not all the
Commissioners had reviewed the proposed document and additional suggestions had
been made, the item was postponed to the next meeting. Staff Liaison Brown will incorporate all the
edits into one document and will send out to all the Commissioners before the
next meeting.
C. Request of Commissioner Agate for discussion of and possible action on City sidewalk repairs
Chair Knauf presented the
draft letter written to Environmental and Public Works and requested comments
from the Commissioners. Discussion
ensued. Commissioner
Richardson moved and Chair Knauf seconded that a subcommittee be formed to
incorporate the edits discussed and bring a final draft back to the next
meeting. The motion passed unanimously
on a voice and hand vote. Chair Knauf, Commissioner
Arroyo, Commissioner Berg and Commissioner Agate will serve on the
subcommittee.
Commissioner Parker explained the background for this request. Staff Liaison Brown described her
conversations with Open Space Management which distributes the guidelines. Discussion ensued. Chair Knauf requested that all Commissioners
review the brochure and come to the next meeting with comments. Staff Liaison Brown will send out a copy of
the brochure to all Commissioners again and she will find out who receives the
brochure/packet when a permit is issued for an event in the City.
E. Request of Commissioner Parker for discussion of and possible action on accessible playgrounds
Commissioner Parker gave an update on her
communications with Barbara Stinchfield.
Discussion ensued. Item postponed
to next meeting.
F. Request of Vice Chair Arroyo for discussion of and possible action on City response to Commission’s request for staff sensitivity trainings
Staff Liaison Brown gave an update on her
discussions with Human Resources about Staff Sensitivity Trainings. Discussion ensued. This will stay on the agenda as a standing
item.
G. Request of City staff for discussion of and possible action on Commission involvement in FY2007-2010 Community Development Grant Request For Proposals process
Staff Liaison Brown again gave background
for Human Services Manager
9. New Business
A.
Future
Agenda Items
Vice Chair Arroyo
stated that as his job requires that he review legislation that affects people
with disabilities, he will bring any information that is pertinent to this
Commission. Discussion ensued.
Member of the
public Richard Quintana reported on a problem he had with the BBB and its new
policy requiring drivers to tie down wheelchairs and motorized scooters.
Member of the
public Louisa Fish also spoke about the BBB and the difference between
strapping down a wheelchair and a convenience chair. Discussion ensued. The Commission would like to invite the BBB
to a meeting to discuss this issue.
10. Meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. by Chair Knauf.
Approved: Attest:
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