MEETING MINUTES-Approved 12/9/02

Date: 11/18/02

Time: 2:45pm-4:45pm

Place: 1080 Emeline Avenue, Bldg D, Small Auditorium

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

1.0 Call to Order

Commissioner Bush called the meeting to order at 2:50p.m.

2.0 Roll Call

Present: Michael Bush, E. Marie Chrisman, Krista O’Connor, Charles Stone, Jenny Sarmiento

Excused: Bob McGaw, Peter Mclean, James Lewis, Thomas Ferr

Absent:

Guest(s): John deCourcy – County Planning, Alan McKay, Barbara Flynn – CCAH

Staff: Andrea Smith

3.0 Announcements

4.0 Minutes

ACTION: Meeting minutes from September were approved with corrections.

msp Sarmiento/O’connor

5.0 Additions/Deletions

Add 9.0 CC Alliance on Health

6.0 Oral Communications

Commissioner Stone brought forth a complaint from a Capitola constituent with the railroad crossing paving. He asked for a history on other similar situations to formulate a proposed solution. Commissioner Bush shared a solution used in another part of the County.

7.0 Reports

7.1 Commissioners Reports

Commissioner Bush reported that Joe Quigg and his partner are working on another accessible housing project in Santa Cruz.

Commissioner O’connor sent an email to Jackie Rubin regarding contacts for liability insurance for the Accessible Parking Enforcement Team.

Commissioner Chrisman reported on her work with senior housing in Watsonville. Soil samples are still being collected by the developer. Swimming for the blind at the YMCA in Watsonville will begin in January.

Commissioner Sarmiento reported on attending the Job Fair in October.

7.2 Coordinators Report

} The Commission hosted a table at the Santa Cruz Job Fair. The Coordinator distributed packets from the File of Life program which provides a method of keeping all important contact and medical information available in case of emergencies.

} Arranging with the Skills Center to share with the Commission services offered by the Skills Center.

8.0 Ongoing business

8.1 Updates

Children with Disabilties- Commissioner O’Connor reported that the San Andreas Regional Center had to cut 5 million dollars from their budget. They ended the year overspent by 1.5 million over budget. In coming years they predict having to absorb a 20-30% cut. Cuts are supposed to be on a voluntary basis so they will have to ask families to forfeit 25% of their respite care and non-profits such as Easter Seals to take 10% cuts.

8.2 IHD Update

John deCourcy, County Building Official, distributed a board letter that addresses parking lot alterations and the proposed Inclusive Home Design ordinance. Commissioners will contact their Supervisors to request that the Planning Board letter be pulled from the Consent agenda and addressed on the regular agenda.

8.3 Goals Planning Follow up

The Coordinator will send email to commissioners reminding them to review the goal planning document. The Commission will review section by section starting at the December meeting.

9.0 New Business

9.1 Central Coast Alliance on Health

Barbara Flynn and Alan McKay of the Central Coast Alliance on Health distributed CCAH’s annual report and alliance life cycle case management. Flynn presented the new Alliance Life Cycle Case management staff and areas. She also distributed information on the Network of Care, a comprehensive Internet based resource directory for persons with disabilities and the elderly, their caregivers and service providers (www.santacruznetworkofcare.org). Flynn also conveyed appreciation for the support of Commissioner McLean for his part in launching case management program for children with Aspergers syndrome and Autism.

Alan McKay talked about how the state budget has impacted the CCAH. A state wage freeze in addition to a 5.5% rise a year in medical costs is depleting the reserves. They have asked the state to provide a 7% increase to prevent the exhaustion of reserves so as to continue serving their clients which include the aging, persons with disabilities, and single parents with children. McKay distributed draft support letter for CCAH’s revenue proposal.

ACTION: The Commission approved the draft letter to be sent to the State Medical Assistance commission.

msp Stone/Sarmiento

CCAH received an award for their preventative measures. They were one of only five plans acknowledged. Also the Commission inspired, Member Advocate Program is working well. The Alliance realized that not all members are comfortable contacting the health plan directly so a member advocate reporting system is a good method.

9.1 Meeting Date and Time Evaluation

Commissioners proposed changing the meeting to 9:30am to 11am on the first Thursday of the month at the Aptos Public Library. Commissioners agreed to revisit this issue again in December when more people were in attendance.

9.2 Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk – tabled.

Next month’s agenda

} Revisit date, time of meeting.

} Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk

The meeting adjourned at 4:15pm

Respectfully submitted,

Andrea Smith, Commission Coordinator