Date: Thursday, May 8, 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, Peter Heylin, Robert McGaw, Doug Patrick, Paul Ticknor, Michael Bush , Aaron Spencer

Absent: Jeanette Cosentino Joseph Quigg

Staff: Mary Thuerwachter, Commission Coordinator

Guests: Barbara Flynn, Central Coast Alliance; Joseph Snyder, Intern

3.0 Approval of Minutes

Action Msp DP/BM Minutes for April 10, 2008 were approved.

5.0 Community Presentations

5.1 Oral Communications from the Public

Barbara Flynn, Director of Health Service for Central Coast Alliance for Health spoke about the Governor’s proposed budget, which calls for 10% cuts across the board. Because of a $20 billion deficit he declared a fiscal emergency and the legislature passed the 10% cut which will go into effect in August. MediCal provider rates will be cut, endangering access to specialists. The Alliance is in the process of prioritizing positions in case layoffs need to be implemented. Employees have had no raises and required to make greater contributions towards benefits. Under MediCal the likely cuts will be in adult dentistry, mental health and optometry. Also, incontinent supplies are likely to be cut, resulting in more serious health problems from bed sores. Transportation services have been cut. Able-bodied persons are no longer receiving rides to dialysis. MV Transport is no longer contracting with the Alliance. Lift Line will provide rides on a fee for service basis. Para-transit is also providing rides. Title 22 requires the Alliance to provide rides for persons who need gurney transport or persons who cannot self-propel or self-transfer. The State does not provide this service in violation of its own statute. For the second year, the Alliance has been rated first in the state in preventive healthcare.

6.1 Coordinator Report

Commissioner Arnicia Dynes passed away unexpectedly. Staff wrote a letter of condolence to the family on behalf of the Commission. Arnicia was a tireless advocate for the rights of the mentally disabled. She will be greatly missed.

Joseph Snyder is a UCSC student who will be working with the Commission to provide legislative updates.

Staff received a phone message that the Aptos theater remodel has made the bathrooms inaccessible. Commissioner Ticknor will check out the theater.

6.2 Follow-up Items

Website Accessibility A few weeks ago, Commissioner Ticknor, Chair Stone, Ricardo Dallesandro and staff met to review the accessibility and changes for the Commission website. It was recommended that the website should be rebuilt from scratch rather than attempting to solve each accessibility problem. There was a discussion of whether the accessibility features of available browsers may make this unnecessary. However, persons with less computer literacy will not be likely to know about these programs and features. Redesigning the website will allow those who are novice Internet users to have better access.

Parking- City of Santa Cruz – Commissioners Patrick and Bush waited for a meeting with Dan Garr. He was detained and they did not meet. Mayor Coonerty sent a letter to the Commission stating that Mr. Garr’s ticket had been resolved. However, it did not respond to the general questions regarding disabled parking raise in the letter. Commissioners Patrick and Bush will meet with the City of Santa Cruz to follow-up on disabled parking spaces.

Accessible Design –Commissioners Patrick and Heylin will go to the Abilities Expo in Southern California. They found an inexpensive kiosk for the Planning Department lobby. The name of the brochure needs to be changed so that it better describes it. There needs to be publicity on accessible design, perhaps a senior’s column. There was a discussion of promoting the term “BLUE HOUSING” for accessible housing, like “GREEN HOUISING” means environmentally friendly construction.

Parking Enforcement – The cards will be changed to reflect that their purpose is to promote a systematic effort to enforce parking restrictions and encourage patrols. The cartoon currently on the card will be replaced with a disability logo. Add language, keep in your glove box for later use. Commissioner Heylin suggested that the Commission hire someone to distribute cards at Costco. He will e-mail a proposal for the next meeting.

Evaluation of Community Resources – No response has been received to the Commission’s request to receive consumer evaluations from CCCIL. Commissioner Patrick will draft a letter to CCCIL.

Disaster Preparedness – Chair Stone reported that there will be a meeting May 22. There may be funding to start a 211 system for emergencies.

Meeting Process Commissioner Patrick asked for 30 minutes at the next meeting to be the scheduled speaker on process proposals for the Commission. Length of the Commission meetings will also be discussed.

EEO and Cultural Competency 3-year plan – Commissioner Patrick reported that he received a response from Claire Schwartz regarding the EEO plan. He stated that while the County has a good plan, the Commission should be involved earlier in the process and recommended that a committee be formed. He would like the committee to explore whether it is possible to make a gross observation of the number of employees with visible disabilities as indicators of the County's success in recruiting and hiring people with disabilities. (Example: How many County employees use wheelchairs?)  He would also like the committee to understand the processes for ensuring that organizations, having the potential to refer applicants with disabilities, are alert to openings that match their consumers' qualifications and are effectively following through on referrals. Msp MB/AS A committee comprised of Commissioners Patrick, Bush and Spencer will meet with Claire Schwartz.

Abilities Expo – Msp PH/MB The Commission will pay for two Commissioners and one person from the Planning Department to attend the Abilities Expo for transportation, meals and hotel for two overnights. Costs will be reimbursed at the County standard rate. Commissioners Patrick and Heylin will go and see if some one from planning can also attend. Commissioner Patrick will not be requesting reimbursement.

Solutions Summit Msp PH/BM Commissioner Patrick is appointed as the liaison to the Solutions Summit. He would like the Commission to have a closer relationship with Seniors Council to build better support for projects of mutual interest. Commissioners Patrick and Spencer will work with the Information and Accessibility group. Commissioner Patrick is meeting with the Aging in Place group.

Meeting adjourned 2:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Thuerwachter

Commission Coordinator