Meeting Minutes – Approved April 12, 2007

Date: Thursday, March 8, 2007

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 12:40 p.m.

2.0 Roll Call

Present: Charles Stone, Doug Patrick, Peter Heylin, Aaron Spencer, Robert McGaw , Jeanette Cosentino, Joseph Quigg

Excused: Jessie Schecter, Michael Bush

Guest(s): Paul Ticknor – Advocates for Nisene Marks, Catherine Patterson Valdez – Division Director for LiftLine Paratransit (non-paracruz), Judith Ain – community member, Pam Smith – ED Housing Authority, Jim Straubinger – County Mental Health, George Carbalho – Patient Rights Advocate for County of Santa Cruz, Craig Rothhammer – Social Worker, County Mental Health, Mary Thuerwachter – New Commission Coordinator

Staff: Andrea Smith, Interim Commission Coordinator

3.0 Announcements

4.0 Minutes

ACTION: The Commission approved the January Meeting minutes.

Msp Mcgaw/Heylin

5.0 Additions/Deletions

6.0 Oral Communications

Mary Thuerwachter introduced herself as the new Commission Coordinator beginning April 3, 2007. She sent over 17 years working at Legal Aid (California Rural Legal Assistance) and is currently with Senior Citizens Legal Services. She will remain part-time with Senior Citizens Legal Services where many of the issues dovetail with the Commissions priorities.

Catherine Patterson Valdez (Liftline) reported that CCAH (Central Coast Alliance for Health) had published a RFP (Request for Proposal) to provide transportation to and from medical appointments for their clients. The final contract was awarded to a National for-profit program called MV Transportation. The new contract limits rides to those who meet certain requirements as spelled out in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 51323 with eligibility determined by MV Transportation. Ms. Valdez indicated that Liftline is offering other services such as Taxi Scrip and medical rides for consumers meeting certain requirements. Liftline has money to subsidize the rides that MV will not cover, however, not sure they should be subsiding a for-profit company.

Judith Ain is a CCAH consumer and reported that she is concerned about the new transportation contract with MV Transportation. With only 2 weeks notice, she found out she no longer qualifies under the new rides requirements. She is currently signed up on the voucher system, which limits her rides to one medical appointment per week. She also reported that although she can walk across the street has other issues that make riding the bus difficult and other programs have not been reliable or safe.

Jim Straubingers reported his support what Liftline has said.

George Carvalho received patient and provider complaints regarding this change. Considered a limitation of medi – cal issues and would be eligible for a fair hearing grievance 429-1913. Medi – Cal fair hearing 800 –952-5253

Craig Rothhammer worked in mental health 27 years. Trend toward parity between physical and mental health based on legislation. This recent action appears discriminatory against mental illness.

Case: A patient isolated and no support system. Puts themselves at risk when they go into the public. The notice period was extremely short and did not allow an appeal process.

Those with mental illness are not in a position to advocate for themselves. Pressure on gov’t and press is needed to voice the needs of this population.

ACTION: The Commission requested that the Coordinator contact Barbara Flynn of CCAH to request information on the following: consumer transition to new system, evaluation of the new provider, qualifying practices and other issues raised at today’s meeting

Msp Patrick/Quigg abstain Stone

Paul Ticknor reported that State parks received a grant to build an accessible trail through Nisene Marks. It will be used to build a bridge and over a creek to access areas that include old redwood growth. For more information you can contact Paul at 688-9002 or go to www.advocatesfnm.org.

ACTION: The Commission agreed to send a letter of congratulations to Dave Vincent, District Superintendent for Santa Cruz State Parks.

Msp Spencer/Patrick

7.0 Reports

7.1 Commissioner Reports

Chair Stone reported

Commissioner Quigg reported that he is appearing at a City of Santa Cruz hearing to support Carol Berg of the City Housing Department’s presentation to use $2 million from the Housing Trust Fund to build an approved accessible unit.

Commissioner Cosentino reported her progress on the next Universal Design conference. She contacted Marc Mendelsohn as a potential speaker/presenter in hopes of bringing this year’s conference to the next level by featuring a presenter that is a name draw to architects.

7.2 Coordinator report.

8.0 Ongoing Business

Inclusive Home Design/Universal Access:

Legislation:

Disability Awareness/Cultural Competency:

· CAP Update

Terry Brickley Scholarship: No report

8.2 Commission vacancy update

8.3 Emergency Response Protocol for PWD’s

8.4 Creating a stronger and more cohesive disability community in Santa Cruz

9.0 New Business

9.1 Chair and Vice Chair Election

ACTION: Stone approved for Chair

Msp Cosentino/Patrick

ACTION: Quigg approved for vice chair

Msp Mcgaw/Spencer

9.2 IHSS Advisory Sub Committee

ACTION: The Commission approved Chair Stone as the Commission’s representative to the IHSS Advisory sub-committee.

Msp Cosentino/Quigg

9.3 UN resolution

ACTION: The Commission approved the Board draft resolution in support of the United Nations Convention to support the rights of persons with disabilities.

Msp Patrick/Heylin

Next meeting’s agenda:

Strategic Plan - Retreat Planning

Meeting adjourned 1:50 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Andrea Smith

Interim Commission Coordinator