COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES April 9, 2015, MINUTES Commissioners Present: Luke Byram, Susan Dye, JoAnn Fritsche, Todd Holloway, Roxanne Miles, Krystal Monteros, Gerrit Nyland, Gary Peterson Commissioners Absent: Don Izenman Staff Present: Joy St. Germain, Sandy Davis, Donlisa Scott, Kim Dodds, Jasmin Kwong Guests Present: Sheryl Ellis, Jodi Lalla Call to Order: Chair Nyland called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. The agenda was approved with the absence of Cathy Journey noted. Commissioner Fritsche motioned to approve the March 12, 2015, minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Holloway. The motion carried. Public Comment > Jodi Lalla, Registered Nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. Ms. Lalla is currently working on a community outreach project on brain injuries. She is learning what the COD does in the community, and is interested in seeing different avenues of resources for people with disabilities. Presentation > City of Tacoma Mental Health Spending and Unmet Need – Kimberly Dodds, Mental Health Contract Auditor The City of Tacoma completed their 2014 year in review which included research on the needs of the community, and the issues that the City has been struggling with to ensure that the rights of people with mental health and substance use disorder (MHSUD) are protected. One of the biggest issues that our community struggles with is a lack of beds for people with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders. The City funds community-based programs serving individuals that have mental illness and substance use disorders, as well as co-occurring disorders. Most programs provide services that are best practices or evidence-based. The City’s primary co-occurring disorder program is evidence-based. A handout was provided that showed key mental health and substance use disorder programs that the City is funding. Reports: Commission Liaison – Sandy Davis > Ms. Davis will order a banner that can be used during COD events. The banner will include the City of Tacoma, COD, and the Serve Tacoma logo. > The COD member handbook will be completed by the end of April and will be available to everyone at the next meeting. > Sheryl Ellis will be appointed as a COD Commissioner on April 14th. > The Serve Tacoma letterhead will be used for all Commissions. Member names can be added to the bottom or the side of the margin. Human Resources Report – Joy St. Germain, Human Resources > Director St. Germain and Chair Nyland attended the Joint Human Rights Commission meeting. During the meeting it was discussed how the JHRC could support the COD with the ADA anniversary. The Grand Cinema presents a 72 hour film festival where groups take a topic and are then given 72 hours to write, film, edit and produce a movie. Chair Nyland has been in communication with Phil Cowen and provided ideas on how someone might communicate and approach someone with a disability. The Grand Cinema will notify Director St. Germain around April 30th. Director St. Germain will follow up and provide an update at the next meeting. > There is $2500 in the budget. A majority of the spending went towards American Sign Language interpreters. Director St. Germain proposed that when the committees are working on projects with budget expenditures that it is discussed in a formalized process with the Chair and the Vice-Chair during the COD meetings and she will track the budget. > Director St. Germain provided a Memorandum from the Mayor to Committees, Boards, and Commission Chairs on communication guidelines. > Ms. Davis drafted a proclamation for the 25th Anniversary of the ADA that will be read by the Mayor and City Council. It will be brought forward through an official process to the Mayor and City Council’s office. We are hoping to have the proclamation announced on July 21, 2015. Business: Approve Commission Charter – Cathy Journey Due to Cathy Journey’s absence, Director St. Germain provided the finalized Team Charter. Commissioner Byram moved to approve the Team Charter, and Commissioner Peterson seconded it. Vice-Chair Miles wanted to provide some further distinction on a Commission decision versus a Committee decision and felt there was still more work to be done. Discussion ensued and the motion to approve the Team Charter was carried. 25th Anniversary of the ADA Celebration Update – Luke Byram & Roxanne Miles > A handout was provided that listed the approaches they want to reach through their anniversary efforts. 1) City Council and City staff to build awareness; 2) Commission a booth at the Partnerships for Action Voices for Empowerment (PAVE), and Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID) events to reach out to the disability community and recruit new members; and, 3) Commission a booth at the Ethnic Festival to reach a broader audience. If your committee has additional ideas to share, please forward them to Vice-Chair Miles to review. Commissioner Byram created a sign-up sheet for individuals that would like to volunteer at one, or all of the events. Chair Nyland expressed some concerns about doing both the PAVE event on May 30, and the Ethnic Festival, July 25 – 26, which would be a large time commitment to committee members. Discussion ensued. It was agreed that the committee would not participate in the PAVE event. COD will participate in the Ethnic Fest, the City Council event on July 21, the Center for Independence (CFI) event on August 8, and the TACID event in the fall. Vice-Chair Miles said the Effective Communication Sub-Committee would look at the proposal next week and will divide position papers among the members. Review of Joint HRC/COD Study Session – Gerrit Nyland > Chair Nyland provided an update on Marya Gingrey’s presentation on employment discrimination complaints. The Equity and Human Rights Commission, and the COD are interested in having an outside group conduct a thorough evaluation, to look at trends. They are planning to request that the City Manager hire a consultant. Committee Reports Effective Communication – Luke Byram > None ADA Web Accessibility – Gerrit Nyland > None Build Design, Planning and Parking – Roxanne Miles > None Emergency Management – Todd Holloway > None Employment – Gary Peterson > None Wheelchair Accessible Taxis – Krystal Monteros > Commissioner Monteros provided handouts of various advertisements that she found on social media platforms for everyone to review, and then determine how to advertise the COD on Facebook or other social media outlets. Discussion ensued. Vice-Chair Miles said that there is a need to understand our communication structure, and determine strategies before moving forward. Vice-Chair Miles will attend the next Effective Communication meeting and to provide strategies for the group. Commissioner Byram will add this topic to the next Effective Communication meeting. Good of the Order: > Commissioner Dye shared that the Grand Cinema presents closed-captioned movies on Wednesday. Vice-Chair Miles provided a handout on the Master Plan for Point Defiance which looks at circulation and traffic issues that need to be addressed. Meeting adjourned at 6:02 pm Public Safety, Human Services, and Education Committee presentation, April 23rd, 2015. Commission on Disabilities meeting, May 14th, 2015 - 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. 1 To request this information in an alternative format or to request a reasonable accommodation for this event, please contact Sandy Davis, (253) 591-5452; TTY 711 1 To request this information in an alternative format or to request a reasonable accommodation for this event, please contact Gail Himes, (253) 591-5785; TTY (253) 591-5153