MINUTES
Meeting: February
5, 2007
1. Call
to Order
Chair Knauf called the meeting to order at 6:39 pm
2. Roll
Call
Present: Commissioners Agate, Berg, Genensky, Hilton, Knauf,
Parker,
Absent: Commissioners Arroyo, Boersma and Bogen
Also
present: Julia Brown, Staff Liaison;
3. Approval
of minutes of the January 2, 2007 meeting
Commissioner Genensky moved and Commissioner Richardson
seconded to accept the minutes of the January 2, 2007 meeting as written. The motion passed unanimously 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 ten referrals during the month. She reported that there is presently funding
available in the Santa Monica Emergency Fund.
She announced that WCIL is hosting a roommate mixer on February 9th
and that tax filing assistance is available at WISE Senior Services for
seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Julie reported that several businesses in
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.
Member of the public Louisa Fish reported that Assemblywoman Julia Brownley is a member of the Aging and Long Term Care Committee and Budget Committee and suggested that members of the Commission contact her regarding the Housing and Rental Credit.
Member
of the public Esther Schiller, Director of Smoke Free Air for Everyone, announced
that there will be a Community Forum on February 28th at the Santa
Monica Public Library to discuss drifting tobacco smoke in multi-unit
housing. She reported that
Commissioner Genensky moved and Chair Knauf seconded a motion to hear Item 9B next and then return to the order of the agenda. The motion carried unanimously on a voice and hand vote.
9. New Business:
B. Request of
Member of the public Sally Lucas reported the damage that has occurred to her equipment due to the tie down policy of the BBB.
Member of the public G.E. French spoke about the potential for damage to his equipment due to the tie down and seat belt policies of the BBB.
Member of the public Louisa Fish reported that her Access card was refused on the Santa Monica Shopper Shuttle. She also said that she has been hit by a wheelchair that had refused tie downs and did not have brakes.
Committee members voiced similar concerns to those of the public, with some stating they found the policies to be paternalistic. Chair Knauf accepted the speaker’s offer to return to a commission meeting and report what solutions the Big Blue Bus might make based on the Commission’s and the public’s input.
5. Announcements and
Correspondence
Staff Liaison Brown
announced that
Commissioner Hilton said on
February 2 he attended the first session of the
Commissioner Weller announced that she will celebrate her 43rd birthday on February 7th.
Member of the public Louisa Fish announced that there will be a free seminar about Medicare on February 6th at the Santa Monica Place Mall Community Room at 7:00 p.m. She also announced that the Commission for the Senior Community will request monies from City Council to provide later hours for Dial-A-Ride.
7. Report from Commission
Liaisons
Commissioner Richardson announced that City Council has approved the 415 PCH project and work will begin in the next few months. Discussion ensued.
8. Old Business
A.
Request
of Chair Knauf for discussion of and possible action on amendments to the Rules
for the Santa Monica Disabilities Commission
Commissioner Agate went through the proposed changes to the Rules. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Agate will make changes and submit a revised draft by the next meeting.
B. Request
of Commissioner Parker for discussion of and possible action on City guidelines
for accessibility of public events, including expanding distribution of the
guidelines to neighborhood councils
Postponed
C. Request
of Commissioner Agate for discussion of and possible action on City sidewalk
repairs
Postponed
D. Request
of Commissioner Parker for discussion of and possible action on accessible
playgrounds
Postponed
E. Request
of Vice Chair Arroyo for discussion of and possible action on City response to
Commission’s request for staff sensitivity trainings
Postponed
9. New Business:
A. Request
of City staff for discussion of and possible action on salient issues related
to the City’s Funding Rationale for the Community Development Grant Program;
review of recent evaluations of school-based mental health services and homeless
services, and community input from the Community Voices Planning process
Staff Liaison Brown reviewed a PowerPoint presentation about the Community Development Grant Program funding rationale, Community Voices, Homeless Evaluation and School Based Mental Health Evaluation. She summarized the Community Development Grant Program funding rationale. Discussion ensued. Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Agate seconded that the Disabilities Commission recommend that funding priority be given to any and all agencies that have or will shortly under go a disabilities awareness sensitivity training for staff. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
C. Request
of Commissioner Agate for discussion of and possible action on development of
concept and script for Boards and Commissions Dinner video
Staff Liaison Brown announced that the Boards and Commissions Dinner will be held on April 16th and that all plans for filming must be decided by the next meeting. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Richardson moved and Commissioner Parker seconded that a subcommittee be formed to oversee the video for the Boards and Commissions Dinner. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. Commissioners Richardson, Parker, Weller and Knauf will serve on the subcommittee.
Postponed
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
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