Commission on Disabilities

Minutes –Approved 9/9/02

Date:               7/8/02

Time:               2:45pm-4:45pm

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 2:45pm.

 

2.0       Roll Call

Present:          James Lewis, Michael Bush, Bob McGaw, Jenny Sarmiento, Peter McLean, Thomas Ferr, E. Marie Chrisman, Krista O’Connor

Excused:        

Absent:            Rebecca Northcutt

Guest(s):         Tom Onin – CCCIL, John deCourcy – County Planning Dept.

Staff:                Andrea Smith

 

3.0 Announcements

The Commission staff time has been reduced to 1/4 time as a result of the County budget hearings. 

 

4.0 Minutes

Action: Minutes from May were approved with corrections.

msp Bush/lewis

 

5.0 Additions/Deletions

6.0 Oral Communications

 

7.0 Reports

7.1 Commissioners

Commissioner Ferr reported that he is researching road improvements designated for the 5th district. He will have an update at the next meeting.

 

Commissioner Chrisman reported on her efforts in opposing a developer in Watsonville.  The developer has attained annexation to the property next to her residence at a Senior Village. Due to her successful efforts the developer has proposed to build a 50- unit senior housing complex. The developer asked Commissioner Chrisman to review the plans and has promised that all housing be designated for seniors and would comply with inclusive home design. Commissioner Bush will join them to review the plans.

 

Commissioner Sarmiento suggested that the Commission write to the Supervisors requesting that they work with Watsonville in supporting Inclusive Home Design (IHD) in all new home development.

 

7.2 Coordinators Report

New Commission office hours will be Monday and Thursday all day with an alternating half day depending on what projects are happening. These hours will be divided evenly between the Commission on Disabilities and the Women’s Commission.

 

8.0 Old or On-Going Business

ACTION: Change 8.0 to  read Ongoing business

      msp Bush/Lewis

8.1 Updates:

·         Accessibility

John deCourcy reported  receiving 40 responses from the community) in response to the Parking Lot Educational Brochure. So far they have sent out 4000 brochures Countywide. The Planning Department is also offering free off-site advice. Found one error in the mailer regarding language on permit requirements.

·         Disability Awareness

·         Accessible Parking Enforcement

Commissioner Lewis reported that the trained volunteers met for a kick-off meeting. They were informed that due to liability problems, volunteers would not be able to issue citations until the insurance matter was resolved. Instead they will provide information to businesses on parking lot compliance. He will find out if they can continue to give courtesy notices.

·         MAP Services

·         Children with Disabilities

 

8.2 Inclusive Home Design

Chair Ferr reported for the IHD Taskforce. The Commission reviewed the cover letter and draft of the proposed Inclusive Home Design (IHD) ordinance applying to all new housing and remodels exceeding 500 square feet.

 

ACTION: The Commission approved the draft and authorizes the taskforce (Commissioners’ Ferr, Bush, and Lewis) to provide edification for minor revisions as deemed appropriate to submit to the Board for approval.

msp Lewis/bush

 

At the request of the Commission, John deCourcy of the Planning Department, outlined the process that would  most likely occur once the proposal was made to the Board of Supervisors.

·         The County Administrative Officer would report back to the Board after meeting with Planning staff.

·         County Counsel would rework the draft ordinance, then a public hearing would be held.

·         After that the Board would vote to approve and implement the ordinance.

 

Chair Ferr emphasized that this legislation transcends wheelchair users. It is inclusive in nature and encompasses the entire aging population.

 

8.3 Accessible Parking Enforcement Status Report

The Coordinator requested direction from the Commission on whether to continue with a status report. The Commission suggested postponing this task.

 

9.0 New Business

 

9.1 Doran Center Services

Commissioner Chrisman reported that she and Chair Ferr visited the Doran Center for the Blind. They met with the Executive Director Sheila Vaughn to review services available to the 30,000 Santa Cruz residents with sight impairments. The center is a small, beautifully organized program with a need for more publicity for their annual event.  On the first Saturday in October, they hold a Fair with 75 presenters  at the Louden Nelson Center in Downtown Santa Cruz.

 

Chair Ferr added that the center resides in a home on Laurel Street that was gifted to the center. They provide prescriptive evaluation, in-home and mobility instruction, and adaptive assistive  living instruction.  They would also  like to open a facility in Watsonville to address a need that is not being met in South County. The Executive Director is willing to speak to groups regarding services offered at Doran. Commissioner Chrisman is arranging for her to  speak to her Senior Village.

 

9.2 August meeting

ACTION: The Commission voted to cancel the August meeting.

msp Bush/Sarmiento   abstentions: Lewis, Chrisman, Ferr

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:40p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Andrea Smith

Commission Coordinator