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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Commission on Persons with Disabilities - Meeting Date: 8/18/2009 COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES GLENDALE MAINPUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD ROOM 5959 WEST BROWN STREET, GLENDALE, ARIZONA Meeting Minutes August 18,2009 6:30p.m. Members Present: Danielle Bohall Robert Muth Mounib Shaaban Ray Yaeggi Gerald Zastrow Gary Charlson Ricki Ray, Chairperson Members Absent: Shirley Galvez, excused, Margaret Kulp, excused, Erik Hendrix, unexcused Staff Present: Sylvia Charters, Human Resources, Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order and Welcome The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:38pm. A quorum was present. Chairperson Ray introduced Commissioner Ray Yaeggi, who was appointed in June for the Cactus District. He was welcomed by the Commission. 2. Sneaker: Susan Sunseri.Autism Society of America Chairperson Ray introduced Ms. Susan Sunseri with the Autism Society of America. Ms. Sunseri displayed some pictures for the Commission of an event honoring the passing of Steven's Law. She explained this law, which took effect in July 2009, gives Arizona families important insurance coverage for medical treatments that are proven to help children with autism make progress. Surprisingly, insurance companies previously did not coverage treatment for autism. The most common therapy called Applied Behavior Analysis will cost approximately$40,000 per year. Ms. Sunseri shared that she has an autistic child. His treatment is partially subsidized, but if it weren't, the approximate cost would be $110,000 per year. If a child is given the treatment at an early age, he or she has a high probability of losing the autism and continue to move on into adulthood and becoming a responsible taxpaying citizen. She explained although great progress has been made, there are insurance companies that still attempt to avoid covering the treatment for autism. This is the oldest autism organization in the country, founded in 1965. She said the Autism Society, is the nation's leading grassroots autism organization, and exists to 3. Approval of Minutes from June 16,2009,Meeting Minutes Chairperson Ray called for a Motion. Chairperson Ray noted corrections on Page 1 and page 5. Commissioner Charlson made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Shaaban seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. New Business Chairperson Ray called for New Business. Chairperson Ray stated that Commissioner Robert Koehler has regretfully submitted his resignation due to health reasons. She read his resignation letter for the Commission. Chairperson Ray also noted a friendly reminder to please contact Ms. Kristin Krey regarding the upcoming Boards and Commissions training. Ms. Charters encouraged those that have not had Basic Training or that have not attended this Training in the past few years to register. 5. Old Business Chairperson Ray called for Sub-committee updates and she distributed the 2009 Commission goals as a refresher for the Commission members. Chairperson Ray called for an update on Mini-grants. Mini-grants — Chairperson Ray brought new commissioner Yaeggi up to date on the mini-grants program. After a brief discussion, the Commission suggested this should be tabled for fiscal year 09-10 as there is no financing for this program. Commissioner Yaeggi made a motion to TABLE the Mini-grants program. Commissioner Zastrow seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Accessibility - Chairperson Ray reminded the Commissioners to attend their respective district meetings. She said the Barrel District meeting, Town Talk, would take place on October 7, 2009. This will be held at the Adult Center from 5 pm to 7pm. She encouraged Commissioners Charlson, Kulp, and Hendrix to attend. However, she asked the commission to be mindful and be sure to avoid that a quorum is present at any district meeting. This is the perfect opportunity to educate the public on disabilities related issues. Chairperson Ray explained that Commissioner Kulp had a concern about the lighting along the south side of the Main Library. She stated that Commissioner Kulp completed a request through AccessGlendale and her issue was resolved. There was a mesquite tree covering one of the light fixtures. The tree was trimmed and now there is adequate lighting along the south side of the main Library. Chairperson Ray addressed another inquiry received through AccessGlendale. This request was from a gentleman who was unable to access the latch to get into the swimming pool area of his housing complex. This resident and his wife had called the city's Code Compliance Department and had been informed that the latches could not be moved due to public safety reasons. However, they believed that there was an accessibility issue and sent an inquiry to the Commission via AccessGlendale to further investigate their concerns. Staff checked with the city's Code Compliance to see if the latch could be lowered. The Code Compliance Assistant Director confirmed indeed that it was not possible to lower the latches as there is a height requirement for latches in public areasfor safety reasons. Chairperson Ray sent a reply to the gentleman and his wife with a referral to contact Mr. Clayton Guffey with Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP) for assistance with a assistive device that would allow independent access to the latches. Staff has provided Mr. Guffey's information to the citizen so that he may contact him. Chairperson Ray also provided an update regarding Closed Captioning for KGLN 11. She stated there is no funding at this time and this issue can be revisited in the future. Chairperson Ray asked the Commissioners if they reviewed the online survey and if there were any suggestions for improvement. She asked the Commissioners to review the survey and provide feedback at the next meeting. Parking - Chairperson Ray distributed information regarding disability parking violation fees. This comparison chart was done in October 2008. She said the Commission is attempting, and has attempted, to look at a variety of ways to address parking violations. The Commission reviewed a few of the key issues related with violations. They agreed to coordinate with Code Compliance and the Glendale City Court to gather more information regarding the number of violations received, the rules and regulations regarding disable parking, and other information. The Commission discussed inviting a representative from Code Compliance to a meeting to discuss the possibilities of the city make it a requirement to post fee amounts on handicapped parking signs in Glendale to help serve as a deterrent to illegal parking in these spaces. Commissioner Shaaban made a motion to direct staff to request a representative from Code Compliance attend the neat meeting. Commissioner Yaeggi seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Yaeggi shared an experience regarding a handicapped parking violation at one of the City of Glendale buildings as well as an experience with the United States Postal Service. He explained the postal carrier who delivers and retrieves mail from the City of Glendale City Hall parks in a handicapped parking by the Velma Teague Library • while she gathers letters. This is clearly a violation. Commissioners suggested staff contact the Glendale Police Department so they may monitor this USPS vehicle. Technology - Chairperson Ray recalled a letter received from Mr. Higgins requesting his suggested website be added as a link onto the Disabilities webpage references listing. The Commission had previously determined this particular website would not be included and a letter shall be sent to Mr. Higgins advising him of such. 6. Other Business From the Floor Chairperson Ray asked for Other Business From the Floor. There was none. 7. Next meeting- September 15.2009 With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:23p.m. Respectfully submitted, A, r . • sic Diana Figuer•: '