MEETING MINUTES- Approved 1/6/04

Date: December 4, 2003

Time: 10:00am-11: 30am

Place: 1080 Emeline Avenue, Bldg D, Small Auditorium

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

1.0 Call to Order

Chair Ferr called the meeting to order at 10:20 am.

2.0 Roll Call

Present: Bob McGaw, Charles Stone, Deborah Calloway, Thomas Ferr

Excused: Jenny Sarmiento, Michael Bush

Guest(s): Clay Kempf – Senior’s Council and Area Agency on Aging, Caroline Bliss-Isberg – Cabrillo College Stroke Center

Staff: Andrea Smith

3.0 Announcements

Commissioner Stone announced that the State Budget impact looks bad. You can contact Governor Swartzenegger’s information number 1 (916) 445 2841 or Senator Mcpherson, who is serving on the Budget Committee at 425-0401.

Chair Ferr announced that the next meeting (January 2004) would include the Chair and Vice Chair elections. Ferr announced that he would not accept nomination to serve again.

4.0 Minutes

ACTION: The Commission approved minutes for the November meeting.

msp McGaw/Stone

5.0 Additions/Deletions

6.0 Oral Communications

Clay Kempf of the Senior’s Council and the Area Agency on Aging announced that there would be an elder abuse workshop hosted by Assembly member Laird and Senator Simitian at the Santa Cruz City Council Chambers. Also, the Senior’s Council is hosting their holiday party at the San Lorenzo Apartments on Dakota Street.

7.0 Reports

7.1 Commissioners Reports

Commissioner Stone reported that the IHSS (In-Home Support Services) Advisory Commission is planning their first Annual Disability Workshop for Spring 2004. The Commission is looking at locations, refreshments, and partners. The goal is to attract 300-500 attendees and the first year will focus on IHSS venue. In future years they will incorporate a broader range of disability subjects. Senior and childcare will be provided at the workshop.

7.2 Coordinators Report

· Beginning in February 2004, the Commission will meet back at 1400 Emeline Ave, Building K, room 26.

· The Annual Report is due to the Board of Supervisors at the end of January 2004. A draft report will be available at the January 2004 meeting for Commission approval.

8.0 Ongoing business

8.1 Updates

Inclusive Home Design: Chair Ferr shared information on HR 2353, which will allow for the development of uniform “visitability” regulations to be adopted by Counties and Cities. Ferr suggested that the Commission draft a letter thanking legislators.

John de Courcy of County Planning reported that the Governor ordered suspension of all ongoing regulations within the last 6 months. He also ordered a review of all regulations over the last five years. This would include any proposed accessibility legislation.

Accessible Parking Enforcement: no report

Legislation: See announcements

Cultural Competency Standards: The Board of Supervisors approved the County’s new proposed Cultural Competency Standards.

Terry Brickley Scholarship: Chair Ferr reported that an estimated total of $800 has been donated.

8.2 Goals- tabled

9.0 New Business

9.1 Transportation Summit

Clay Kempf, Senior’s Council and Area Agency on Aging and Caroline Bliss Isberg reported on the decline of the local para-transit system design. Historically, one agency in each area coordinates all para-transit issues for the county. Liftline has been coordinating for Santa Cruz County since the ADA called for a mandate for fixed route providers. The SCMTD has been talking of bringing all ADA para-transit services under METRO, which would greatly fragment services to the community.

Growing pains have affected current services. Funding sources have imposed regulations to make sure only mandated ADA para-transit is provided. This has resulted in duplication and inefficiency for the providers trying to serve the community. Currently, the system is funder-friendly and user hostile.

Caroline Bliss Isberg reported that as a Director of an end site, she sees a de-fragmentation of funding and services, which is affecting service delivery. A community-wide Para-Transit Summit to put all the issues on the table is needed before any drastic decisions are made.

ACTION: The Commission will send a letter to the Board of Supervisors requesting community-wide summit meeting with the goal of re-visioning local para-transportation services for seniors and persons with disabilities in Santa Cruz County. This summit would be hosted by the SCCRTC and would lead to a taskforce that would include stakeholders to assist in developing a workable and sustainable system for the community.

msp Stone/Calloway

Next meeting’s agenda: