Meeting Minutes- Approved 7/14/05

 

Date:               Thursday, June 9, 2005

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 12:08 p.m.

 

2.0       Roll Call

Present:          Bob McGaw , Charles Stone, Michael Bush, Erik Edmonds

Excused:         Peter Heylin, Chris Lewis, Joseph Quigg

Guest(s):         Thom Onan - CCCIL, Lily Kephart, Jeanette Cosentino, John Daugherty  -SC Metro

Staff:                Andrea Smith

 

3.0 Announcements

 

4.0 Minutes 

ACTION: The Commission approved minutes for the May meeting.

msp  Bush/McGaw

 

5.0 Additions/Deletions

·         Rail Trail

·         AB 840

 

6.0 Oral Communications

John Daugherty, Santa Cruz Metro, reported on some of Metro’s services. He distributed three handouts: Project Action – to bring Accessibility and ADA info regarding transportation to the private sector; Mobility Training Program – Free personalized training for seniors and people with disabilities; and

Metro Para Cruz complementary Para transit Program – Customer Quick Guide.

 

Thom Onan reported that one of his roles at CCCIL is to serve as ADA Para transit Ombudsman.

 

7.0 Reports

            7.1 Commissioners Reports

 

Commissioner Bush reported that he met with Michelle David and Jeanette Cosentino regarding the Universal Design conference. Prior to the event he plans to photograph the best of accessibility in downtown Santa Cruz to show at conference.

 

Commissioner McGaw reported that building of the new Health Center and Stroke Center would not happen for five years.

 

Chair Stone reported he would be attending the IHSS Spring Conference that will cover strategies for working with media as well as other topics.

He also reported that in response to a lawsuit, the Regal Theatre Group would be altering nearly 1000 theatres to provide better viewing for persons with disabilities using wheelchairs.

 

Commissioner Edmonds reported that Medicare is taking over all prescriptions as of January 1, 2006, which means that everyone will have to make a co-pay. This means that poor and disabled will have to pay more.

 

            7.2 Coordinator’s Report

 8.0 Ongoing business

8.1 Updates

Inclusive Home Design/Universal Access: Jeannette Cosentino reported on planning for the Universal Design Conference. They have secured Ed Steinfield, an originator of Universal Design to speak at the Conference. Also Ed Chandler, an advocate for changing building code, will speak on the history and building code. The conference is scheduled for August 19, 2005 at the UCSC Conference Center on Ocean Street. Cost to attend is $100 and $110 at door and there are scholarships available. The target audience includes contractors, city planners, and anyone who is involved in designing environments.  Currently she and the planning committee are working on developing the Center for Optimizing Human Environments.

 

ACTION: The Commission will send a letter to the Board recommending that they direct Planning attend the Universal Design Conference on August 19, 2005.

msp Bush/Mcgaw

 

Accessible Parking Enforcement:  The Commission sent a letter to the Board recommending that removal of any barriers to the Volunteer Parking Enforcement issuing citations be a priority for the coming year.

 

Legislation: Commissioner Edmonds reported that AB 654 (California Compassionate Choices Act) passed through all relevant committees. It did not make it through the 3rd reading from one or either of the houses so it has been deemed inactive until 2006. Chair Stone reported that SB 840 (CHIRA-Single Payer Health Care Coverage) passed the Senate and will go to the Assembly.

 

Disability Awareness/Cultural Competency: No report.

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

 

8.2 Commission vacancy update

Lily Kephart and Jeanette Cosentino are applying for vacant positions.

 

8.3 Movie Theatres

The Commissioner agreed to remove this item.

 

9.0 New Business

9.1 Rail Trail Study Committee

Commissioner Bush recommended that a wheelchair user be on the Rail Trail committee. The Coordinator will call transportation to find out how this can happen.

 

Next meeting’s agenda:

 

 

Meeting adjourned 1:25p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Andrea Smith, Commission Coordinator