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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Commission on Persons with Disabilities - Meeting Date: 11/15/2011 CITY OF GLENDALE COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PUBLIC MEETING GLENDALE MAIN LIBRARY—BOARD ROOM, 2ND FLOOR 5959 WEST BROWN STREET MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 15,2011 6:00PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Gary Charlson Laura Hirsch Robert Steiger John Fallucca Joan Brainard Pinson Karin Kellas Shirley Galvez,Vice Chair Mounib Shaaban, Chairperson MEMBERS ABSENT: Raymond Yaeggi Terry Aramian Adonis Deniz, Sr. STAFF PRESENT: Gilbert Lopez,Revitalization Administrator Jim Colson,Deputy City Manager Kristin Krey, Council Office Matt Cohrs,Neighborhood Partnership Administrator Mario Rochin, Operations Coordinator, Civic Center Rachel Hut, Grants Administrator Minerva Madrid,Revitalization Secretary Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary I. Call to Order and Introductions Chairperson Shaaban called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00pm. II. Roll Call Chairperson Shaaban took roll call and noted members who were present and those absent. III. Approval of the Minutes for October 18, 2011 Chairperson Shaaban called for a motion on the minutes. Commissioner Fallucca made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 18, 2011, as written. Commissioner Galvez seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. Commission on Persons with Disabilities November 15,2011 Page 2 IV. Business from the Floor Chairperson Shaaban called for Business from the Floor. There was none. V. Commission Discussion about Roles and Responsibilities,Agenda Format, Process The Chair called for discussion regarding this item. Mr. Lopez announced that Ms. Kristin Krey has joined the meeting and will continue the discussion from last month's agenda. Ms. Krey distributed the Arizona Open Meeting Law as printed in the Arizona State Statutes. She also distributed an easy-to-read version of the same information. She reviewed the information for the Commission. Ms. Krey stated at a recent meeting, one of the Commissioners asked how he could add items to the agenda. She explained that if a Commissioner has an item or items that are relevant and important to the Commission, she said to provide the item to the chair and/or to the staff liaison so that the item can be agendized at a future meeting. Items cannot be introduced and discussed at the same meeting. She explained the Open Meeting. She said any public hearing is open to the citizens and public. Although the public is invited to attend, they may not always speak at each meeting such as a workshop. However, if the agenda contains an item "Business From The Floor", this is an opportunity for the public to speak on any item or topic that he or she feels is of interest. She stated agendas must be posted no less than 24 hours to a meeting. Ms. Krey reviewed the process of the summary minutes as well as the draft and final minutes, which are done for all public hearings. Mr. Colson stated they have listened closely to the concerns and frustrations. He said Mr. Lopez has done an excellent job with the Commission and he has a tremendous heart for public service. However, being respectful of Mr. Lopez's time, it has been decided that Mr. Matt Cohrs, Administrator for Neighborhood Partnerships, might be a better fit for this Commission and its interests. Chairperson Shaaban clarified, in order to be fair to the commissioners that the discussion regarding the open meeting laws was not because of the ignorance of the commissioners of the rules that guide the commission, but because of other challenging issues that faced the commission since the change of the liaison in February of 2011. This transition was very challenging to all and he is looking forward to the new changes. Mr. Colson stated he appreciates Mr. Lopez's service and it is time to move forward and asked the Commission to focus on the future. Mr. Cohrs introduced himself and stated he is looking forward to working with the Commission. Commission on Persons with Disabilities November 15,2011 Page 3 VI. Potential Grant Application Chairperson Shaaban introduced this item. Mr. Mario Rochin and Ms. Rachel Hut provided a presentation to the Commission. Mr. Rochin stated the Glendale Civic Center has applied for a grant in order to purchase and install an Induction Loop System. He said the Induction Loop System would provide high quality intelligible sound for the hard of hearing. He said the system transmits an audio signal directly into one's hearing aid via a magnetic field, eliminating background noise. He said this system is used in convention centers, airports, churches, recreation centers and theaters. He displayed a picture of how and where the system is installed. Mr. Rochin added that this would be the first convention center in the state of Arizona with this technology. He said it would allow thousands of clients the benefit of enjoying their event with clarity. Also, once the system is installed it will allow for better marketing of the Civic Center. Mr. Rochin said the funding opportunity is through a Deaf and Hard of Hearing grant from the Arizona Community Foundation. He said they are requesting approximately $25,000 to purchase and install the system. There is no financial match requirement and if the grant was award, the City would have to purchase and install the system within one year. Also, the Civic Center would need to report back to the grant provider as to how the grand funding was spent. Mr. Rochin said he was available for questions. Chairperson Shaaban asked if this was a federally funded grant. Ms. Hut said no, it is private donations. In response to a question from Commissioner Hirsch, Ms. Hut stated there is one church in Flagstaff that has this technology in. Commissioner Fallucca asked what would occur if the grant was not awarded. Ms. Hut stated they would seek other funding sources. The Commission thanked Mr. Rochin and Ms. Hut for their valuable information. VII. Commission Updates Chairperson Shaaban called for Commission Updates. Mr. Lopez announced the tour of the Glendale Lofts would take place this Friday, November 18, 2011, at loam. Commissioner Galvez stated she would like to see speakers brought before the Commission as they had in the past. Chairperson Shaaban clarified a previous comment he had made regarding the City of Phoenix. He said Phoenix had a program last year in conjunction with the police depailment during Christmas time to make the public aware of the problem of illegal Commission on Persons with Disabilities November 15,2011 Page 4 parking in the handicap parking spots which was marketed on TV and newspaper. The program contained many volunteers, which were researching and verifying to ensure those parked in handicapped parking spaces were actually authorized to be parked in these spots. Mr. Lopez stated he contacted the City of Glendale Police Department and was told that citizens can participate in the Citizens Academy. These volunteers, if they qualify, can be a part of the VIP program. This program does have volunteers that tend to parking violations. He said the main focus is to educate the public not so much to write tickets. Mr. Lopez said there has only been one successful case where the violator was actually required to pay the fine. He added Marketing is working with KGLN to get the word out to the public regarding handicapped parking violations. Stay tuned to KGLN to see the ads. VII. Staff Updates and Comments Chairperson Shaaban called for this item. Mr. Lopez stated it has been an honor to be the liaison and wished the Commission the best. Adjournment With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12pm. Respectfully submitted, Diana Fig uet{Caa