MINUTES
Meeting: May
7, 2007
1. Call
to Order
Chair Knauf called the meeting to order at 6:43 pm
2. Roll
Call
Present: Commissioners Agate, Berg, Boersma, Bogen, Genensky, Hilton, Knauf, Parker and Weller
Absent: Commissioners Arroyo and
Also
present: Janet Hand, Staff Liaison;
3. 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.
Member
of the public Louisa Fish gave a positive report about the new
Member of the public Marcia Gayle expressed concern that there is no accessible parking in the beach lot close to the boardwalk which was put in to provide beach access for the disabled. Discussion ensued.
4. Approval
of minutes of the April 9, 2007 meeting
Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Agate seconded to accept
the minutes of the April 9, 2007 meeting as written. The motion carried 8-0-1 on a voice and hand vote with Commissioner
Boersma abstaining.
5. Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL)
update: presentation by Julie West, WCIL
Julie West reported that there had been 18 referrals during the month. She reported that WCIL is building a relationship with UCLA Santa Monica hospital and is receiving referrals of patients in need of services. She explained the Got-7 Campaign sponsored by the Red Cross to educate people with disabilities how to be prepared for natural disasters, and gave an update on the sensitivity trainings which are being scheduled.
6. Announcements
and Correspondence
Staff Liaison
Hand explained a proposed
Commissioner
Bogen announced that she will be traveling to
Commissioner Hilton said he attended a City-sponsored Fair Housing Workshop on April 26. The 3-1/2 hour event featured a hypothetical case for table-to-table discussion, followed by a speakers panel. The hypothetical case was a renter with a disability, who, based on his behavioral symptoms, faces eviction. An administrator from the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing said people with disabilities experience the most discrimination, with 36% of cases. About 60-plus individuals attended the Workshop.
7. Report
from Commission Liaisons
Nothing to Report
8. Old
Business
Commissioner
Agate and Staff Liaison Hand explained the changes made in the latest
draft. Discussion ensued. Commissioner
Genensky moved and Chair Knauf seconded to accept the Rules for the
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
Commissioner Parker summarized what had been done on this item to date and what materials have been found. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Parker moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that a subcommittee be formed to study the issue of making accessibility information more widely available for City meetings and events including but not limited to producing and/or reviewing an accessibility guide for City meetings and events. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote. Commissioners Agate, Knauf, Parker and Weller will serve on the subcommittee with Commissioner Parker acting as chair.
Commissioner Agate gave the background for this item and the draft letter written to EPWM. Discussion ensued. The subcommittee will take suggestions and submit another draft letter to the Commission at the next meeting.
Commissioner Parker stated that a revised draft letter to the Rec and Parks Commission has been prepared. Discussion ensued. Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Bogen seconded that the letter, as amended, was approved for sending. The motion passed 8-0-1 on a voice and hand vote with Commissioner Hilton abstaining.
E. Request
of City staff for discussion of and possible action on City’s Electoral Process
Community Meeting, Monday, May 14, 2007
Staff Liaison Hand explained the purpose of this meeting, how it could be of interest to people with disabilities and the various options open to the Commissioners to give their feedback to the City. Discussion ensued.
9.
New
Business:
A. Request of City staff to develop funding
recommendations to submit to the City Council for the 2007-08 fiscal year
Staff Liaison Hand explained the budget process and gave background for this request. Discussion ensued. Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Genensky seconded that a subcommittee draft a letter from the Disabilities Commission to City Council making these funding recommendations: 1) all disability programs be funded at the same level as currently funded at least; 2) all programs in the CD Program receive a COLA; 3) remind the City Council of the impact of aging baby boomers on services traditionally serving people with disabilities; and 4) fund the Circle of Friends proposal. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote. Chair Knauf and Commissioner Bogen will serve on the subcommittee.
B. Request
of Chair Knauf to develop recommendations for the Pier renovation plans to
submit to the Planning and Community Development Department
Nothing to Report. Hold for July meeting.
C. Request
of Commissioner Agate to discuss limiting presentations by City staff and other
visitors
Commissioner Agate gave background for having guests who are making a presentation be requested to arrive at or after 8:00 pm so as not to interfere with regular Commission business. Discussion ensued. Consensus was to have the Chair and/or Staff Liaison speak to each presenter/guest when scheduling him/her to emphasize that the presentation be as brief as possible. Further consensus was that commissioners limit their discussion of the topic.
D. Future
agenda items
Staff Liaison
Hand suggested a presentation on the
Commissioner Parker requests that Staff Liaison Hand look into the accessible parking in the new parking structure.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
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