MEETING SUMMARY

Date: Thursday, June 12, 2008

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

Place: 1400 Emeline Avenue, Bldg K, Room 207, 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, Robert McGaw, Jeanette Cosentino, Doug Patrick, Aaron Spencer

Absent: Joseph Quigg, Peter Heylin, Paul Ticknor, Michael Bush

Staff: Mary Thuerwachter, Commission Coordinator

Guests: Joseph Snyder, Intern, John Daugherty, Metro

3.0 Approval of Minutes

No quorum.

5.0 Community Presentations

5.1 Oral Communications from the Public

John Daugherty reported that Metro Para Cruz set a cost of $3 per rider. If a person cannot afford the cost, Liftline will assist. This is a multi-agency coordination to assure services, especially now that Central Coast Alliance will no longer be providing transportation for most dialysis patients. This will increase the number of Para Cruz rides by about 25% at a cost of $250,000. Metro will be trying to access funds diverted by the Governor.

Joseph Snyder provided a legislative report to update the Commission. The revise on the state budget called for an increase in MediCal funding from the previous budget, a decrease in funding for Regional Centers and In Home Support Services. There is state-wide opposition to this budget by disability groups. There are also eight new bills on persons with autism, developmental disabilities and special education. Snyder provided a written report of the legislation.

5.2 Scheduled Presentations

Commissioner Patrick addressed the Commission on the COD meeting process. He discussed that members of the public often come to the COD meetings to raise issues but there is not necessarily an identification of issues in which the COD can have the greatest impact. Also, COD projects are not visible in the community. Given the limited amount of meeting time and volunteer efforts, the COD efforts need to be prioritized and targeted.

One of the projects highlighted was the accessible design effort with the Planning Department that resulted in an educational brochure and a checklist adopted by all local jurisdictions. Projects should fall under the priorities set by the COD. Information on meeting topics should be forwarded to Commissioners at least one week before the meeting to allow time for review. Complex projects should be worked on by committees outside of the meeting. The committee can work on analysis and recommendations for discussion at the COD meeting. Invited speakers should have discussion topics that relate to priorities adopted by the COD. Speakers should be given a list of issues of concern to the COD and a defined time period (25 minutes for complex subjects, less time for other issues). Commissioners should limit discussion to the agenda topic. For better meeting control, there should be a timekeeper. Commission action items should be documented in the minutes that are e-mailed one week before the meeting. There should be an evaluation of the meeting process at the end of each meeting.

Commissioner Cosentino added that if speakers were given a copy of our annual report, they could more directly address the concerns of the COD. Action items should be addressed at the beginning of the meeting with oral communications at the end. The five minute limit needs to be enforced.

Chair Stone discussed better coverage of COD activities. Suggested contacts are Molnar from the Sentinel and Mary Lou Goeke who has a column in the Pajaronian. He feels as though the COD is accomplishing more that it ever has before.

Commissioner Spencer expressed concerns with the current meeting process and feels as though the COD is overwhelmed with projects and requests from the community.

Commissioner McGaw stated that the COD needs to provide information on action items to Commissioners in advance of the meeting. He also stated the need to restrict COD activities to a limited number of projects so that they can be accomplished. Action items should be noted on the agenda before the meeting. He felt no votes should be take on action items which do not have information to the commissioners prior to the meeting. Action items should include how it relates to the priorities and which people are going to work on it.

Commissioners Patrick and Spencer will work on improving the annual report.

6.1 Coordinator Report

The Commission received a copy of a letter from the Belgardes to the Watsonville City Council about lack of disabled parking at the new Watsonville library. Staff will follow up to see if the Council responded.

Seascape is holding a free tennis clinic with adaptive wheelchairs on July 20. Staff advised Seascape to contact Shared Adventures to be included in their summer mailing of disability activities.

Staff will coordinate retreat date and confirm with Commissioner Heylin about availability.

Staff will create a Committee list for COD internal use.

6.2 Follow-up Items

Website Accessibility - Commissioner Ticknor is on vacation and will report at the next meeting.

Parking- City of Santa Cruz – Commissioners Patrick and Heylin met with City Parking. City will audit existing spaces and reconfigure as necessary.

Accessible Design –Commissioners Patrick reported that he has provided revisions to the Planning Department for the accessible design brochure. It will be used in all local jurisdictions.

Parking Enforcement – Staff distributed revised cards to Commissioners.

Evaluation of Community Resources – Commissioner Patrick will drafted letter to CCCIL. This will be on the agenda for the July meeting as an action item.

EEO and Cultural Competency 3-year plan –Commissioners Patrick, Bush and Spencer will meet with Claire Schwartz.

Solutions Summit - Msp PH/BM Commissioner Patrick is meeting with the Aging in Place group.

Meeting adjourned 2:20.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Thuerwachter

Commission Coordinator