Minutes
City of
Monday July 7, 2008
1.
Call to Order
Chair Knauf called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm
2.
Roll Call
Present: Commissioners
Agate, Arroyo, Berg, Boersma, Bogen, Genensky, Hill, Hilton, Knauf, Parker and Weller
Also present: Janet
Hand, Staff Liaison and Denise Weddle, Administrative Staff Assistant, Human
Services Division
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.
No Requests to Speak
4.
Approval of minutes of the June 2, 2008 meeting
Chair
Knauf moved and Commissioner Weller seconded to accept the minutes of the June
2. 2008 meeting as amended. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and
hand vote.
5.
Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) update: Discussion of and possible action on items
presented by
Ms. West reported that there had been 6 referrals in June
in the areas of housing benefits, Santa Monica emergency funds, independent
living skills and transportation. She announced
that Lalie is available to assist with Renter’s Rebates. WCIL will honor two nominees at the annual
Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition breakfast on October 13th at
the Fairmont in Santa Monica. Ms. West
reported on a presentation regarding services and advocacy efforts which she
made to parents at Santa Monica High School and another to a group of Santa
Monica businesses. They continue to
receive referrals for patient advocacy from UCLA Santa Monica Hospital.
6.
Announcements and Correspondence
Commissioner Hilton said on July 2 in Dallas, the
National Federation of the Blind held its annual convention. The Secretary of the Mint was present, and
unveiled the first U.S. coin with Braille characters. The commemorative coin, a silver dollar,
features a portrait of Louis Braille, who was born in France in 1809. Federation officials said that only 10% of
children who are blind learn Braille.
The organization hopes to double the literacy rate by 2015.
Commissioner Berg reported on her experience with one
of the City’s beach wheelchairs.
7.
Report from Commission Liaisons
Commissioner
Weller reported that the L.A. County Commission on Disabilities had held its
annual election of officer and that she has been elected president for a second
term.
Commissioner
Hilton said the Housing Commission on June 19 heard legal advice, took public
input and discussed a Citywide smoking policy, in order to forward to
Council. Several Commissioners expressed
concern about prohibiting smoking in private units. There was consensus about a ban in common
areas. Separately, it was announced that
on June 20 at the Housing Authority office, approximately 50 Section 8 vouchers
would be distributed. There are over 3,500 families on the waiting list.
8.
Report from Commission Staff Liaison
Nothing to Report.
9.
Old Business
A.
Update on recommendations to the City on inclusion of
accessible playgrounds in park planning and development- Commissioner Parker
and Chair Knauf
Staff Liaison Hand reported that the Disabilities
Commission’s presentation to the Recreation and Parks Commission has been
postponed to September or October, that the power point presentation is close
to being approved and that a feasibility study for a universally designed
playground has been approved and funded in FY 2010-11. Discussion ensued.
Commissioner
Agate moved and Commissioner Weller seconded that the Disabilities Commission
make a presentation to the Recreation and Parks Commission regarding
Universally Accessible Playgrounds and encourage them to work toward
recommending accessible features in all playgrounds and that the subcommittee draft
a letter to City Council asking them to fund a playground in FY2009-10. The motion passed unanimously on a voice and
hand vote.
Commissioners requested that Karen Ginsburg, Assistant
Director of Community and Cultural Services be invited to the next meeting to
address their concerns about this subject.
Member of the public Julie West said that as 415 PCH
will be such an active, public location, it would be a favorable spot to have a
universally accessible playground.
B.
Update on disability sensitivity training
for City staff- Staff Liaison Hand
Staff Liaison Hand reported training has
begun with about 20 sessions to date. Discussion
ensued.
C. Disability Awareness Month activities- Chair Knauf,
Commissioners Bogen, Weller, Hill and Berg
Chair Knauf confirmed that the subcommittee
had not met. Discussion ensued. Consensus was that the activity should be
small this year with a presentation to a deserving person or organization at
its October meeting and articles written by commissioners to submit to the Santa Monica Daily Press.
D. Library accessibility- Commissioner Agate, Chair Knauf, Commissioner
Genensky
Staff Liaison Hand reported that the letter to the
Library Board thanking them for their time and listing the accessibility
concerns of the Disabilities Commission has been sent out. Commissioner Agate will continue to monitor
the Library Board’s meetings and will make bring recommendations to the commission
if any future action is needed.
E. Seating for
persons with disabilities waiting for transportation at frequent pickup
locations- Commissioner Agate
Commissioner Agate requested that the commissioners
review the draft letter written to the City Manager and send all comments to
her. She will finalize before the next
meeting.
F.
SMMUSD Special Education audit- Commissioner Arroyo
Chair Knauf recused himself from any discussion on
this item. Commissioner Arroyo
summarized the discussion that occurred on this item at last month’s meeting
and then summarized the key issues in the report document. Discussion ensued. The draft letter written to thank City
Council for their part in the SMMUSD special education audit was approved and
will be sent.
10.
New Business
A.
Promoting commercial entities- Commissioner Agate
Commissioner Agate gave background on this
item. Discussion ensued. Staff Liaison Hand explained that the
commission can list companies that sell products on a brochure as long as it
does not appear that the commission is endorsing the company.
Member of the public Julie West suggested
that people contact an organization called “Hope4Hearing” which provides
current information about assistive devices.
11.
Future agenda items
1. Wheelchairs
on the bike path- Commissioner Boersma
2. Accessibility
at public events- Commissioner Agate
3. Mandate
that televisions in public places have their captioning on when the television
is on- Commissioner Agate
4. Review
Housing Authority’s Administrative Plan, providing suggestions/comments-
Commissioner Hilton
12.
Adjournment
Chair
Knauf adjourned the meeting at 8:43 pm
Approved: Attest:
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