MINUTES
Regular Meeting: August 6, 2007
1. Call
to Order
Chair Knauf called the meeting to order at 6:43 pm
2. Roll
Call
Present: Commissioners Agate, Berg, Bogen, Boersma (arrived 6:52 pm), Genensky, Hilton, Knauf, and Weller
Absent: Commissioners Arroyo, Parker 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 Jerry Rubin asked the Commission to support a Pier design that would emphasize pedestrian access with no parking on the deck.
4. Approval
of minutes of the July 9, 2007 special meeting
Commissioner Genensky moved and Chair Knauf seconded to
accept the minutes of the July 9, 2007 meeting as written. The motion carried 6-0-2 on a voice and hand vote with Commissioners
Agate and Weller abstaining.
5. Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL)
update: Discussion of and possible
action on items presented by Julie West, WCIL
Julie West was not able to attend due to illness. Staff Liaison Hand reported that SM Services Specialist Lalie Alvarez received five referrals during July.
Commissioner
Hilton requested that WCIL present quarterly reports on the number of
6. Announcements
and Correspondence
Commissioner Agate announced that there will be a new website for people with disabilities called www.disaboom.com.
Staff Liaison
Hand announced that Representatives from
7. Report
from Commission Liaisons
There were no liaison reports. Commissioner Agate volunteered to be the liaison to the Library Board.
8. Old Business
A. Request
of Commissioner Parker for discussion of and possible action on recommendations
for revision of City guidelines for accessibility of public events
Nothing
to Report
B. Request of Commissioner Agate for further
discussion of and possible action on letter to Environmental and Public Works
Department regarding street and sidewalk repairs
Commissioner Agate gave an update on this letter and requested input from all commissioners on its content before the next meeting. There was agreement that the Commission would like a presentation from EPWM regarding sidewalk repairs from request to completion.
Nothing to Report
D. Request of Chair Knauf to develop recommendations for the Pier renovation plans to submit to the Planning and Community Development Department
Staff Liaison
Hand stated that
E. Request of the Disabilities Awareness Month
Subcommittee for discussion of and possible action on Disabilities Awareness
Month activities
Chair Knauf led a discussion of possible locations, sites, activities and honoree(s). The date will be October 26 or 27. The DAM subcommittee will meet and make final recommendations.
F. Update
from City staff on disability sensitivity training for City staff; this item
may result in action
Staff Liaison Hand gave an update on the progress of the disability awareness/sensitivity training for City staff. A RFP has gone out for a trainer and actual training should start in November. Discussion ensued.
G. Request
of City staff for discussion of and possible action on proposed visitability
policy
Staff Liaison Hand gave an update on the status of visitability policy recommendations. Discussion ensued. Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that Chair Knauf and Staff Liaison Hand be authorized to write a letter to the PCD Director, the City Manager and the City Council stating that the Disabilities Commission remains dedicated to keeping the issue of visitability active and that the Commission would like a presentation updating them on the status. The motion passed unanimously by voice and hand vote.
New Business:
A. Request of City staff for discussion of and
possible action on revising the Commission’s Rules to add a standing staff
liaison report item to the agenda
Postponed.
B. Request of City staff for discussion of
and possible action on moving the date of the September meeting to Sept. 10 as
the first Monday, Sept. 3, is a national holiday
Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner
Genensky seconded to move the September meeting of the Disabilities Commission
from September 3 to September 10. The
motion passed unanimously on a hand and voice vote.
C. Future agenda items
Commissioner Agate would like a report at the October meeting from the Big Blue Bus regarding their wheelchair tie down policy.
Commissioner Hilton would like the request for quarterly reports from WCIL put on the agenda
Commission for the Senior Community Liaison Fish advocated for a joint meeting of the Commission for the Senior Community and the Disabilities Commission as they have a similar interest in many topics. She also noted that a presentation from the Big Blue Bus should be broader than just the wheelchair issue, and should include other accessibility issues.
10. Adjournment
Chair Knauf adjourned the meeting at 8:20 pm.
Approved: Attest:
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