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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 07/11/2001 MINUTES - QUORUM MEETING COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES July 11, 2001 Commissioners - Present Commissioners - Absent Chairperson: Ms. Crystal Lyons Ms. Frances Garza Vice Chair: Mr. Jon S. Harwood Ms. Sandra Cabazos Mr. Roberto M. Flores Ms. Toni Padilla Mr. Eloy Soza Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover Mr. Glen Ray Tomo CITY STAFF: (ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT) Building Official: Park & Recreation Director: Mr. Art Sosa Mr. Tony Cisneros Human Relations Administrator: Legal Advisor: Mr. L. David Ramos, Interim Director Mr. Joseph Harney (Absent) Human Relations Management Assistant: Human Resources Sr. Analyst: Ms. June Shultz Ms. Marge Reue - Absent ATTENDANCE - Roll Call — Absences: Frances Garza, Art Sosa, Joseph Harney and David Ramos. Audience: Glen Wilkinson and Judy Telge, Accessible Communities, Mc. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Minutes of June 6, 2001 were reviewed. Motion to approve minutes by Eloy Soza, and seconded by Vice Chair Harwood. Vote taken and the minutes were approved as noted. SCANNED Visitors were introduced — Glen Wilkinson was present because of his interest in disability issues. He is the President of the Nueces County Peer Support Group. He discussed training opportunities and assistance that the Peer Support Group provides to the disabled community. They recently provided a training session regarding the processing of SSI and SSDI Paperwork. He's here to touch based and be involved in the community. There was discussion of his assistance in teaching computer skills and refurbishing computers. He expressed a concern about wishing there were an Independent Living Center in the community, to help others not be segregated from the community. He also wanted Mr. Cisneros to be aware of needs from the disabled community regarding Park and Recreation programs and services. Judy Telge of Accessible Communities, Inc. was also present. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: The Chair provided a legislative update, the Governor's Office has sent out a list of bills that affect persons with disabilities. It noted which bills passed. Mrs. Lyons circulated a copy, but anyone interested can go to the web site to view the information or they may request a copy. Mrs. Lyons reviewed the top ten list, and there was a note that some City Department areas would be impacted by some of the bills, such as Building Inspections and the Police Department. Mrs. Lyons discussed the possibility of providing a letter to the Police Department, School District, etc. regarding some of these recent changes. There was discussion about possibly developing an Ad Hoc Committee for Legislative Issues, where the Committee might want to take action on items or make recommendations to the City Council and/or City Departments. The following individuals expressed an interest in participating with the proposed committee: Jon Harwood; Eloy Soza; Linda Fallwell-Stover; and Sandra Cabazos. Mrs. Lyons will provide the information to the Committee. Mrs. Lyons also brought and distributed a book regarding the history of people with disabilities. The book covers cross disabilities. 2 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Policy Development Sub-Committee report: Toni Padilla is the Chair. A written report was distributed. The following items were discussed and action was taken. • Attendance Policy — Minor changes were proposed. After this, we are to ask for excused absences after roll call. Leaving the rest of it. Mr. Cisneros asked that we add defining term with the policy is in effect. Mr. Harwood made a motion to accept the proposed policy, with minor changes as noted, Mr. Soza seconded the motion. Discussion, Mr. Cisneros asked if the committee was to assume that this is in effect as of today, not looking back. That was correct. Vote was taken, motion passed unanimously. • Model Agenda (sample provided). There was discussion about the Posting Statement language. Mr. Soza made a motion to accept the Model Agenda with changes for the Posting Statement as discussed, Mr. Harwood seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. • There was discussion about Meeting protocol. • There was discussion about Meeting Minutes. Font size of 14 or larger. There was a request for the minutes to be mailed out a week prior to the meeting. Ms. Shultz discussed her concern that there will be occasions when this deadline might not be met. There was discussion about use of e-mail to send out notice of the meeting, agenda and minutes. It was determined that the Committee members wanted the minutes mailed to them. However, as a courtesy, those who would like to continue to receive them by e-mail, may notify Ms. Shultz and she will forward them by e-mail. Also, Mrs. Lyons indicated that Mr. Ramos is to run all things by her, before preparing any materials for distribution to the Committee. Mr. Soza made a motion to accept the above referenced Meeting Protocol, seconded by Ms. Fallwell-Stover. There was further discussion. Communications / Accessibility section is incomplete. Ms. Fallwell-Stover proposed adopting it without this section. Seconded by Mr. Torno. Vote taken to amend the initial proposal. Vote passed unanimously. There was then the standing motion to accept the amended proposal. Vote was taken and passed unanimously. 3 • The Endorsement Policy — There was discussion about the proposed policy. Ms. Caraway (Mr. Ramos' representative while he was out due to illness) provided comment about the verbiage in the policy regarding private facilities. There was discussion on the types of endorsements that could be given — such as resolutions, recommendations and/or endorsements, by the Committee, City Manager and/or City Council. There was discussion about presenting the request to the entire body, rather than individual members. Mr. Soza made a motion to accept the Endorsement Policy as outlined, and was seconded by Mr. Flores. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. • Other policies are to be developed. Regarding recommendations, Mr. Cisneros discussed how every committee is charged with producing an Annual Report. This is an element of the Committee. If the Committee feels anything needs to go to the City Council, there is open communication, via the City Manager. There was no report from the Outreach Sub-Committee at this time. NEW BUSINESS: Ms. Caraway provided the Committee members with an update on the Human Relations Department • changes in the computer system, • shortage of staff, • converting closure times from 270 to 180 days, • waiting to hear from HUD on contract, • receipt of a Public Accommodation charge and the investigation that has been initiated, • update on the Transition Plan, • a meeting held with the City Manager, • Mr. Ramos has been designated the ADA Coordinator • Time line pending. Mrs. Lyons questioned Ms. Caraway about the Transition Plan timeline. Ms. Caraway indicated that no action would occur until Mr. Ramos returns. 4 OLD BUSINESS: Ms. Judy Telge returned before the Committee to follow-up on a prior request for endorsement by the Committee for her application process for funding of an Independent Living Center. Ms. Telge provided information to the Committee regarding ACI and the justification for the request. Ms. Lyons put the matter before the Committee. There was discussion about type of endorsement — letter or resolution. It was determined to develop a resolution. Language was discussed and outlined — resulting in a verbal draft resolution, which all committee members would sign. Ms. Fallwell- Stover moved to adopt the resolution, and was seconded by Mr. Soza. A vote was taken and passed unanimously. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Ms. Caraway informed the Committee about the notice for eligibility for an upward modification request (25 or more case resolutions, reimbursed at a rate of$500.00 per case), however there was a decrease in projected intakes. Ms. Shultz verbally reviewed the monthly statistical information. There was discussion about one Public Accommodation complaint that will likely be referred to the Department of Justice for enforcement. Committee Concerns/Items for Next Agenda: • Ad Hoc Committee —Legislative Issues • Policy Sub-Committee • Outreach Sub-Committee • v.v ebuddvs.org — look on Internet, opportunity to promote communication for persons with disabilities. • Transition Plan Adjournment Ms. Padilla made a motion for the meeting to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Soza. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at ap•roximately 5:51 p.m. 'e c/ j FlollpI ryy/.l Lyons, •S airperson Date Minutes Approved 5