Date: Thursday, October 11, 2007

Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.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 12:35 p.m.

2.0 Roll Call

Present: Charles Stone, Arnecia Dynes, Aaron Spencer, Robert McGaw, Joseph Quigg, Doug Patrick, Paul Ticknor Peter Heylin

Excused: Jeanette Cosentino, Michael Bush

Guest(s): Ricardo, Mike Molesky - CCAH, Dawn Peckavick, Virginia Butz - Foster Grandparents, Patty Talbot – Seniors Council, John Daugherty - Metro

Staff: Mary Thuerwachter, Commission Coordinator

3.0 Announcements

Dawn Peckavick spoke about a problem in a Boulder Creek restaurant. She has a visual impairment and was told that there was no restroom for the public. That she needed to go outside and across the street to a public restroom. The Sheriff told her that she had no right to use the restroom if they had not made it available to the public. Newer building permits require accessible bathrooms in commercial spaces. Commissioner Patrick wants to see better access to restrooms for PWDs and will contact the Health Department. Peckavick was also advised about attorney Bob Ludlow who does disability discrimination and the Office of State Architects to determine requirements.

Patty Talbot announced that Seniors Council was going to be holding a Adult and Aging Community Summit to coordinate services. This will probably be held in February. It would involve the Long Term Care Commission, Elderly and Disabled Transportation Commission, Capitola Elder Care Task force among others. Involvement in the Summit was unanimously approved. Msp DP/AS

John Daugherty announced that E&DTAC persuaded the Cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola to amend ordinances for taxi discounts for seniors and PWDs. Also more taxi scripts will be available due to additional funding.

Virgina Butz announced that there is a bill in Sacramento concerning upkeep and accessibility of sidewalks.

6.0 Oral Communications

Ricardo, a former CCCIL employee, reported that he resigned from CCCIL because he felt that the agency was not providing services that it was contracted to perform and that good employees were leaving. Commissioners Patrick and Spencer will meet with him to discuss his concerns.

7.0 Reports

7.1 Commissioner Reports

Commissioner Patrick announced that there will be a Mental Health North County forum coming up with a focus on seniors and mental health. The United Way report will be released the end of October. He also called the Cities and County to identify number for sidewalk complaints. Staff will create an informational piece to be distributed to the community.

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Commissioner Dynes announce that funding for the Homeless Mentally Ill was cut in the Governor’s budget. NAMI is suing the state of California.

Commissioner Spencer announced the events for disability Awareness Month which was declared by the Board of Superviors, at the request of the Commission and CCCIL. Youth panel with SPIN on Oct 18, Personal Safety and Self Defense Workshop for PWDs on Oct 22, open house for People First (statewide organization for persons with developmental disabilities on Oct 23 and a disAbility awareness exhibit at the Mill co-sponsored by MHCAN.

7.2 Coordinator Report

Staff will research the next Santa Clara Disability Expo and provide information to the Commission.

The COD was represented by staff at a table at the Access to Employment Job Fair. An information sheet on reasonable accommodation in employment was created for distribution. The Job Fair was extremely well attended. Also, Ana Ventura-Phares did a workshop reasonable accommodation.

8.0 Ongoing Business

Retreat- November 5 12:30 – 4:30 at Commissioner Heylin’s house has been confirmed.

Accessible Parking Enforcement

Suggestions for modification of language on cards will be included in next printing. Commissioners will be e-mailed the draft revision.

Accessible Design:

Commissioners Patrick reported that the Accessible Design brochure will be refined and posted on the Planning department website.

Meeting adjourned 2:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Thuerwachter

Commission Coordinator