MEETING minutes

 

Date:               Thursday, May 14, 2009

Time:              12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Place:             1060 Emeline, Solarium, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

 

1.0       Call to Order

Commissioner Heylin called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m.

 

2.0       Roll Call

Present:                      Peter Heylin, Michael Bush, Tom Crain, Robert McGaw, Jeanette Cosentino,

                                    Laura Stuart          

Absent Excused:       Charles Stone, Paul Ticknor

Staff:                           Mary Thuerwachter, Commission Coordinator

Guests:                       Aaron Spencer

 

3.0 Minutes  -  The Meeting Summary for April was accepted unanimously

 

4.0 Oral Communication

Jenna Hannecak is with the Special Ed PTA which has 35 – 40 members.  She brought to the attention of the commission, Project Life Saver which is currently operating in both Monterey and Santa Clara Counties.  It has a bracelet that runs on radio waves to track persons with disabilities such as dementia.  There is 100% success rate for people who have wandered.  The operating system costs about $3000 to lease and $5600 to purchase.  Each participant must pay $99 for the bracelet and $25 per month.  It is manufacturer by the Low Jack Company.  She was advised to contact the Office of Emergency Services to see about the feasibility for Santa Cruz County.  She will also do a presentation to the Seniors Commission.

 

5.0 Community Presentations

Kathy Citron from Children’s Mental Health said currently there are two State budgets.  One if the propositions pass on May 19 and one if they fail.  She address the substance of the propositions which effect Children’s Mental Health, without recommendation on their merits.

 

Proposition 1D effects the First Five Program.   It would take 50% of the tobacco ax money for First Five funding.  The legislature would oversee distribution with minimum $400,000 guaranteed to each county.

 

Proposition 1E would take $480 million generated by Prop 63 for use by Mental Health Services for two years.  This would be taken from undedicated funds for technology and move it to the General Fund to offset cuts elsewhere.  Santa Cruz County was one of the first counties to implement a “system of care” which coordinated social service providers with probation, schools, child welfare, etc.

 

Consent Agenda – Funds were unanimously approved to print more of the survey on County Residents with Disabilities. 

 

Coordinators Report

Business cards were passed out.

 

6.4.1  Public Education Campaign – Commissioner Stone no longer wants to work on this.  Aaron Spencer said he would like to help out when he can.

 

6.4.3     Porter Library – Supervisor Campos aide is working on this.  Chair Heylin will monitor progess.

 

6.4.4   Salvation Army – Chair Heylin follow-up with Salvation Army about signage.  Commissioner Cosentino also commented on lack of accessibility at the Front Street Thrift store.  Perhaps the Commission can pay for signage.

 

6.4.5 Retreat – No date yet.  Staff will coordinate.  It will be at Chair Heylin’s house.

 

Parking Cards – Chair Heylin was advised that UCSC does not ticket non-disabled parkers in blue zones.  Faculty gets a sticker to improperly park in blue zones.   A telephone number to report illegal blue zone parkers at UCSC will be added to the next printing.

 

Chair Heylin handed out a Guide on Disability information flyer from Gail Pellerin for training of the elections department.

 

Commissioner Stuart expressed interest in Emergency Management for children with disabilities.

 

Commissioner Cosentino inquired regarding the status of the UCSC rail supports for the Performing Arts Centers.  Chair Heylin reported that UCSC intends to have the modification completed in time for Shakespeare Santa Cruz.  UCSC is also looking at all other facilities to determine where modifications should be made as money becomes available.

 

For next meeting, staff will ask some one from the Homeless Center to come speak.

 

7.0  Bylaw Revisions –  The following language was unanimously approved.

 

            If a member is absent for either three consecutive meetings or five meetings during a twelve- month period, the Chair and Vice Chair will vote to retain or remove that member.  If they do not agree on this decision, the matter will be put before the entire Commission for a vote at the next regular commission meeting.

 

 

Meeting adjourned 2:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Thuerwachter

Commission Coordinator