Commission on Disabilities

Minutes –Approved 7/8/02

Date:               5/13/02

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, Rebecca Northcutt

Excused:        

Absent:           

Guest(s):         Patricia Spence, Mark Dorfman, Joseph Quigg, Sebastian Defrancesco, Krista O’Connor, Michael Bradshaw

Staff:                Andrea Smith

 

3.0 Announcements

Commissioner Bush announced that there is a wheel chair accessible apartment available for $1500 at Chestnut apartments.

 

4.0 Minutes

No minutes to approve.

 

5.0 Additions/Deletions

Move 9.1 Paratransit and 9.3 Paget Avenue Accessible Units before old or ongoing business.

 

6.0 Oral Communications

 

7.0 Reports

            7.1 Commissioners

 

Commissioner Chrisman reported purchasing a magnifier that was not effective. She wrote a letter to the manufacturing company (The Alladin Corporation) explaining why it did not work and they responded by asking her to meet with their corporation to design one that is more effective.

 

Commissioner Lewis reported that he has been working on access problems at a Watsonville shopping center regarding a sidewalk that goes right through a driveway. He is sending a letter to the Sunset Cove Development Company to report the problems. The Target shopping center also has access problems and he is working with City Public Works to remedy the situation. Watsonville has been very cooperative. Commissioner Sarmiento suggested working with Supervisor Campos on this issue as well.

 

Action: Add Sunset Cove Development sidewalks in Watsonville to the May agenda.

msp: Bush/Mcgaw

 

Commissioner Sarmiento reported on participating with the Cultural Competency advisory board. The focus of this board is to ensure that any County agencies or programs serve the public competently. This includes language, gender, culture, disability, etc.

 

Commissioner Ferr reported that County Public Works is requesting proposals for the County Access Ramp Project. Supervisor Almquist requested more information from Public Works on what was specifically going to be done in the 5th district.

 

Commissioner Bush clarified that this is an ongoing project (for 7 years now) where 150 or so curb cuts are done each year. Priority is set by need and the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

 

7.2 Coordinator’s Report

§         In response to a community member’s complaint regarding Dominican Hospital’s emergency room policy – a letter will go to the head of security informing the hospital that the Commission received a complaint.

§         Working on webpage revision and requested current Commissioner bios.

§         Coordinator will be on vacation from May 23rd until May 30th.

 

8.0 Old or On-Going Business

      8.1 Updates:

·         Accessibility

Commissioner Lewis reported:

The courthouse ramp has been postponed and there is discussion around building a corridor on the East Side of the building instead. The restrooms are being remodeled.

The Access Santa Cruz County brochure final draft is completed. John Decourcey is gathering a list of businesses to send the brochure.

Complaints on facilities that are out of compliance are supposed to receive priority, however this has not been happening. The County has responded on various complaints but the businesses have not yet complied.

 

·         Disability Awareness

·         Accessible Parking Enforcement

Commissioner Lewis reported that he finished training 10 weeks ago but no enforcement activity has occurred.

The Commission requested that the Volunteer Coordinator be invited to the next meeting to report on the volunteer parking enforcement program to assist with preparation of status report to Board of Supervisors.

·         MAP Services

·         Children with Disabilities

Commissioner Northcutt distributed an article from the SPIN regarding recreation opportunities for teens with special needs. Commissioner McLean reported that due to a loss of funding the school districts, Special Education programs are being cut. There has been staff turnover in the Special Education programs. Working to get the various agencies together to communicate about exploring ways to work in partnership with parents. Children with disabilities are being blamed for budget going in the red.

 

9.0 New Business

9.1 Paratransit Issues – Patricia Spence

Pat Spence, Chairperson for MASTF(Metro Accessible Services Transit Forum) and Metro Board Member came to demystify  Santa Cruz’ Paratransit system. Metro staff member, Mark Dorfman, accompanied her.

 

An outline of her presentation is available in the Commission office. Some of the highlights included:

 

§         Liftline is a subcontractor to the Santa Cruz metro. Recently a consultant was hired to audit services to insure that guidelines are met.  As a result from the audit the following was developed: a customer’s guide and a policies and procedures guide which delineates how services are to be provided. Community Bridges currently has the contract until June 30th, then they will continue under the new guidelines. It costs 2.5 million dollars to provide paratransit last year. An average of $22 per person. Liftline will be paid by the hour rather than by the ride.

§         The Metro Board voted to honor paratransit service within .75 miles of the fixed route bus service. Paratransit is dependent on the fixed route bus service. The transit system is primarily funded by sales tax. Cutbacks are coming due to the ailing economy.

§         Everyone presently on the eligibility list will now be interviewed to assess whether they meet ADA requirements. The interview will be conducted by an orthopedic hospital from Los Angeles.

§         Due to the delay in the building of the metro base center  – service may be severely limited.

§         The EDTAC advisory committee published a book on specialized transportation alternatives in Santa Cruz County.

 

Ms. Spence requested that the Commission contact legislators and elected officials to support the identification of a site for a metro base.  This item will be on next month’s agenda.

 

Questions can go to patspence@mindspring.com

(831) 426-6080, (831) 425-8600

 

9.2 Inclusive Home design

The subcommittee is working on a draft ordinance.

 

9.3 Paget Avenue Accessible Units

Joseph Quigg and Sebastian DeFrancesco presented their proposal to build wheelchair accessible housing. The proposal is available in the Commission office.

 

ACTION: The commission will write a letter supporting affordable accessible housing in Santa Cruz to the Planning Commission using information provided by Mr. Quigg.

 

msp Northcutt/Bush

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:45p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Andrea Smith

Commission Coordinator