Meeting Minutes

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010

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

Place: 1080 Emeline St., Small Basement Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

1.0 Call to Order

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

2.0 Roll Call

Present: Peter Heylin, Charles Stone, Jeannette Cosentino Workman, Robert McGaw, Joe Quigg, Tom Crain, John Dougherty, Deborah Lane

Absent: Jerry MacAllister,

Guests: Mary Lou Goeke, Robert Hallbauer and Tadd Sterling with United Way; Foster Anderson, Shared Adventures; Thom White, Access Options

Staff: Mary Thuerwachter, Commission Coordinator

3.0 Minutes

January meeting minutes were approved. Msp CS/BM

4.0 Oral Communication

None

5.0 Presentations

Mary Lou Goeke, Robert Hallbauer and Tadd Sterling from the United Way spoke on a proposal for 2-1-1 calling program for Santa Cruz County. This service is available throughout most of California and the nation. It is a public utility like 4-1-1 and 9-1-1 calls. If a person has a need and does not know where to go, they can call 411. This system has been in Monterey for the last year and has received approximately 13,000 calls. As a result of technological advances it is now possible to use the San Francisco United Way call center. Resource specialists will be available to regularly update this information. The cost for the program is $142,000 per year to add Santa Cruz County. 2-1-1 was also used in San Diego to answer calls on H1N1 and fire disaster reports and resources. Currently 50% of calls going to 911 are not emergencies. 211 will reduce inappropriate calls to 911 so that lines are freed up for actual emergencies. Funding will come from a variety of sources. They are requesting $19,000 from Santa Cruz County and hope to “go live” July 1, 2010.

Foster Anderson from Shared Adventures spoke about the creation in 1990 of his organization which provides recreational activities for persons with special needs. Commissioner Cosentino brought up the Commission’s idea for a newsletter called Dignity. Anderson agreed to forward any newsletter and a survey created by the Commission to his 1500 e-mail participants. The Commission discussed providing financial support ($500) for this effort. Msp JCW/TC

6.0 Coordinators Report

The Personnel Director responded to the Commission’s letter that supported no cuts in Commission activities or staff. After review by the commissioners, it was decided that each commissioner would discuss the matter with the appointing member of the Board of Supervisors.

Sylvia Caras contacted the Commission regarding the impact of the closing of the Behavioral Health Unit at Dominican Hospital. The County is proposing a locked facility. Staff was instructed to invite someone from County Mental Health and Ms. Caras to address the commission on this issue.

Ongoing Business

The new logo for the Commission on Disabilities was reviewed and unanimously approved. There was discussion of creating stickers, which could be used in a variety of ways.

Dominican Hospital responded to the Commission’s letter about handicapped parking. They responded that the letter should be addressed to OnCare instead. The Commission voted to send a letter to OnCare. Msp MS/TC In addition, the Commission voted to send a letter to the corporate head of Dominican to express dismay at the response from Dominican. Msp JQ/CS

Former Commissioner Doug Patrick reported that the County Planning Department has put the Accessible Design Checklist brochure on its website. There are currently no brochures in the lobby. Chair Heylin and Mary will follow up on this item. The Cities of Capitola and Watsonville both expressed interest in using the brochures. Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz are still in discussion. He also reported that the Regional Transportation Commission formed the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Commission, which is reviewing sidewalks for safety. Most jurisdictions do not have programs that force compliance. Capitola will be auditing 1/5 of its sidewalks every year for compliance. The Commission voted to approve the participation of Commissioner Daugherty and Patrick in working with E&DTAC. CS/BM

Meeting adjourned 2:10 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Thuerwachter

Commission Coordinator