Meeting Minutes- Approved 5/11/06

Date: Thursday, January 12, 2006

Time: Noon-1: 30p.m.

Place: 1400 Emeline Avenue, Bldg K, Room 206, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

1.0 Call to Order

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

2.0 Roll Call

Present: Charles Stone, Peter Heylin, Jessie Schecter, Michael Bush , Joseph Quigg, Jeanette Cosentino

Excused: Robert McGaw

Guest(s):

Staff: Andrea Smith

3.0 Announcements

4.0 Minutes

ACTION: The Commission approved minutes for the November meeting.

Msp Heylin/Bush

5.0 Additions/Deletions

6.0 Oral Communications

Barbara Flynn from the CCAH (Central Coast Alliance on Health) reported on new developments from the Alliance. She distributed their Annual Report, which they call their “report card”. The report includes the fiscal health of the organization. She also reported the following:

CCAH representatives attended the IHSS Advisory meeting where Autism and Aspbergers services for children were addressed. The CCAH developed a matrix to identify services and document services available from the Alliance. The State has adopted this document for it’s own use.

The MAP position was eliminated due to years of low usage leading to a year of no usage. Clients have expressed that they preferred to contact the CCAH directly for problem resolution. Some of the funds formerly designated to the MAP position have been diverted to the Wheelchair Awareness Program. This program works to foster peer support and educate on wheelchair use. So far the program has sponsored an interactive Wheelchair Awareness Day. Two-hundred-fifty of 1300 members using wheelchairs expressed their interest in continuing this program.

This year CCAH will reinvent the program to include more agencies and three more events.

CCAH is also working to attract more vendors to the area in response to the closure of Mobility Masters. The closure has resulted in fewer options for repair thereby inhibiting member’s ability to switch vendors if they are not satisfied with service.

State funding for Medi-Cal is still using 2001 reimbursement rates on inflated medical costs. A financial audit showed CCAH has been operating very efficiently but still needs more realistic reimbursement. Ms. Flynn reported that the Alliance would be requesting a letter of support from the Commission for a rate increase from the State.

7.0 Reports

7.1 Commissioners Reports

Commissioner Schecter reported on the CMIPS (?) program and how it could be expanded for use during an emergency.

Commissioner Cosentino reported that Dominican Hospital is rebuilding their facility. She suggested that the Commission contact and suggest that Universal Design be a priority. Commissioners discussed finding out model hospital designs.

Co-Chair Quigg reported that he is still working with the State on the regulations regarding elevators.

Chair Stone reported he is working on emergency preparedness and has applied to get on a Board as a Capitola representative. He is also planning to take CERT(?) emergency training. He distributed a brochure from VISTA (formerly the Doran Center for the Blind).

ACTION: The commission will send a letter to Vista recommending that they use larger print (a minimum of 14 pt.) on their brochure so that those with low vision can read it.

Msp Cosentino/Bush

7.2 Coordinator’s Report

The Equal Employment Opportunity Summit is tentatively scheduled for March 25. The Coordinator will co-facilitate a breakout group on women. Commissioners are encouraged to attend.

8.0 Ongoing business

8.1 Updates

Inclusive Home Design/Universal Access: Commissioner Cosentino reported that she spoke to the Round Table - a collection of organizations that provide services around care on Universal Design, Smart House and technology. Commissioners requested that the Coordinator contact Jennifer Hutchinson from Building to report on the Inclusive Home Design

Accessible Parking Enforcement: The Central Coast Center for Independent Living forwarded an article on the success of the Fremont Parking enforcement program, which included revenues for the city of over $175,000. The Coordinator forwarded the article to Alan Hiromura of the CAO office and Todd Liberty of the Sheriff’s department.

Legislation: No report

Accessible Parking Enforcement: No report

Disability Awareness/Cultural Competency: Commissioners discussed preparing a Fact Sheet on the local Disability population and the availability of Contractor referrals for access upgrades.

Terry Brickley Education Enhancement Scholarship (Cabrillo College Foundation): No report

8.2 Commission vacancy update

Commissioner Cosentino reported on progress in getting another Watsonville representative.

9.0 New Business

9.1 Annual Report 2005

ACTION: The commission approved the Annual Report 2005.

Msp Bush/Schecter

9.2 Chair and Vice Chair Election - Tabled

9.3 Reel Work Labor Film Festival participation

The Coordinator will email Commissioners with information on potential films.

Meeting adjourned 1:35p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Andrea Smith, Commissioner Coordinator