MINUTES
Meeting: October 1, 2007
1. Call
to Order
Chair Knauf called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm
2. Roll
Call
Present: Commissioners Agate, Arroyo, Berg, Bogen, Boersma, Genensky, Hilton, Knauf, Parker and Weller
Absent: Commissioner Richardson
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 spoke about the removal of trees on 2nd and 4th streets, stating that there is a safety factor involved due to cracked sidewalks. Discussion ensued.
4. Approval
of minutes of the September 10, 2007 meeting
Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Genensky
seconded to accept the minutes of the September 10, 2007 meeting as amended. The motion carried unanimously on a voice and hand vote.
5. Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL)
update: Discussion of and possible
action on items presented by Julie West, WCIL
Julie West sadly announced that WCIL’s Executive Director Mary Ann Jones has passed away and invited all commissioners to the memorial. . She reported that she had received eight referrals referrals during September, 2 being emergency fund related. She also stated that WCIL will participate in the Disabilities Awareness Month event.
6. Announcements
and Correspondence
Commissioner Bogen announced that this was her birthday.
Commissioner Arroyo gave an update of current activities regarding the ADA Restoration Act of 2007 and suggested that the subject be agendized at a future meeting.
Staff Liaison Hand gave a summary of two articles distributed to the Commission, one from California Disability Community Action Network regarding in-house hearing officers for the California Fair Housing and Employment Commission and the other regarding a bill that would amend the vehicle code.
7. Report
from Commission Liaisons
Commission
for the Senior Community Liaison Fish announced that the City is holding a land
use and circulation element meeting on Saturday, September 15 at
Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities Chair Weller reported that its annual Access Awards Luncheon will be held October 15 at the New Otani Hotel.
8. Report from Commission Staff Liaison
Staff
Liaison Hand reported that the Commission for the Senior Community will hold
its annual retreat on October 17 and that she will report on any issues that
the Commission has in common with the Disabilities Commission. She announced that she will be attending the
meeting of the National Association of ADA Coordinators in
9. Old Business
A.
Continuing
discussion of recommendations for revision of City guidelines for accessibility
of public events-Commissioner Parker
Commissioner
Parker gave a summary of the progress regarding this item and asked for ideas
on what should be done next. Discussion
ensued. Chair Knauf moved and Commissioner Weller
seconded that the Commission request that the City issue an RFP to obtain an
outside consultant to review the guidelines and develop new procedures that
will cover a variety of programs. The
motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.
B.
Continuing
discussion of letter to Environmental and Public Works Department regarding
street and sidewalk repairs-Commissioner Agate
Commissioner Agate reviewed the proposed letters and explained the need to send two letters to two different departments within the City about the issue. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Agate moved and Chair Knauf seconded that the letters be accepted as written with minor changes if necessary and that they be sent to the appropriate departments. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.
C. Continuing discussion of recommendations to
the City on inclusion of accessible playgrounds in park planning and
development-Commissioner Parker
Commissioner Parker reviewed the progress of this item. A draft of a letter with suggested revisions by Commissioner Hilton was reviewed. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Parker moved and Commissioner Bogen seconded that the letter be approved as revised and after a final review by Commissioner Parker and Staff Liaison Hand, be distributed to appropriated individuals. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and hand vote.
D. Continuing discussion of Commission’s recommendations
for the Pier renovation plans to submit to the Planning and Community
Development Department-Chair Knauf
Staff
Liaison Hand gave an update on the City’s plans for the pier renovations,
stating that the pier bridge might be removed.
Discussion ensued. It was decided
to leave this item on future agendas and review updates as they become available.
E. Continuing discussion of Disabilities
Awareness Month activities-Disabilities Awareness Month Subcommittee
Chair Knauf reviewed the articles written for publication and
Staff Liaison Hand reviewed the support, agenda and events for the day. Discussion ensued.
F. Update from City staff on disability
sensitivity training for City staff
Staff
Liaison Hand explained that
G.
Request of City staff for discussion of and possible action
on proposed visitability policy
Staff
Liaison Hand gave an update stating that the policy recommendations made by the
Building & Safety Commission and the Accessibility Appeals Board have not
been made. Commissioner Arroyo moved and Chair Knauf
seconded that the Disabilities Commission write a letter to City Council
requesting that the proposed visitability policy
again become an issue for the Building & Safety Department.
10. New Business:
Nothing to Report
11. Future Agenda Items
The following subjects were requested to be on the agenda in the future:
A.D.A. Restoration Bill (Commissioner Arroyo)
Talking Traffic Control Signals (Commissioner Genensky)
Disabilities Commission Bylaws (Commissioner Hilton)
Invite Todd Lipka (Step Up On Second) to make a presentation (Commissioner Hilton)
Invite
11. Adjournment
Chair Knauf adjourned the meeting at 8:54 pm.
Approved: Attest:
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