MEETING minutes

Date: Thursday, August 13, 2009

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

Place: 1080 Emeline, Small Auditorium, basement, Building D

1.0 Call to Order

Commissioner Heylin called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m.

2.0 Roll Call

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

Laura Stuart, John Daugherty, Charles Stone, Jerry MacAllister

Absent Excused: Robert McGaw, Paula Tanner

Staff: Mary Thuerwachter, Commission Coordinator

Guests: Helen Sesser, Jean Brocklebank, Charlie Dixon, Lynda Weis, Paul Schoellhamer, Emily Watson

3.0 Minutes - The Meeting Minutes for August were accepted.

4.0 Oral Communication

Helen Sesser – a social worker from the Satellite Dialysis unit – says that they have 107 dialysis patients that are seen 2-3 times per week. Quite a few are in need of transportation. She is concerned about the overall picture and Metro transportation. Also, she expressed concern about Lift-Line services under the current budget cuts. The Volunteer Center can only provide transportation for patients one time per week and only 9 am to 3 pm. Dialysis starts at 6:30 am and goes as late at 5:45 pm. SCRTC says there is no money for individual rides and patients must take the bus. After dialysis patients are often dizzy weak and out of breath. The dialysis center in Watsonville is not close to the bus. There needs to be services 3 times a week. The Central Coast Alliance for Health says there are no MediCal transportation funds for this service.

5.0 Community Presentations

Jean Brocklebank, Friends of Arana Gulch, described the area for development of bike/pedestrian paths. Her group proposed a restoration alternative for the development. They are opposed to the bridge over Arana Creek and would like to see a reduction in the width of the “roadways” for bicycles. They are not opposed to disability access. They would like to see ADA access from the Agnes Street entrance to the park with an interpretive turnout.

Charlie Dixon spoke in support of the proposed development plan that he said would insure equal access to all. The plans include a development of 6/10 of mile of ADA compliant trails. There are 18 miles of trails in the Greenbelt areas; none are accessible. The proposal with a bridge over Hagman creek provides a gentler slope for persons with disabilities. An appeal has been filed to the local courts decision to reject a challenge from the Friends of Arana Gulch and the California Native Plant Society. A decision is expected by the end of September. This group is requesting the Commission to write a letter of endorsement of the plan. The Commission will consider this request at its next meeting.

Coordinators Report

The coordinator will be on vacation from August 24 until September 10.

The business signs were revised. Chair Heylin will contact the Santa Cruz Business Association to get feedback on signs.

Retreat is scheduled for October 8, 9 am to 2 pm at Chair Heylin’s house.

Commissioner Reports

Commissioner Bush was elected Vice Chair.

Commissioner Stone reported that the Public Authority stated that 23% of people currently receiving IHSS would lose this benefit entirely as a result of state budget cuts. Senior Network Services lost all linkages funding. The current load for social workers is now 270. Adult Protective Services has only 2 social workers. Child Protective Services may now be down to one social worker. IHSS providers will be cut from $11.50 to $9.50. The Central Coast Alliance for health is cutting dental and vision programs, 2 out the 7 programs they currently operate.

Meeting adjourned 2:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Thuerwachter

Commission Coordinator