Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities Committee Meeting Minutes TACID – 6315 South 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98407 December 10, 2015 4:00 PM Call to Order 4:10 pm Commissioners Present Luke Byram, Susan Dye, Sheryl Ellis, JoAnne Fritsche , Todd Holloway, Roxanne Miles, Devin Myers, Gerrit Nyland, Gary Peterson Commissioners Absent Michael Maratas, Krystal Monteros Staff Present Joy St. Germain, Donlisa Scott Adoption of Agenda The agenda was accepted as presented. Acceptance of Minutes MOTION: Commissioner Fritsche motioned to approve the October 8, 2015 minutes. SECONDED BY: Commissioner Byram ACTION: The motion carried. Public Comment There was no public comment. Reports Director’s Report – Joy St. Germain Joy St. Germain provided a handout and reviewed the notes taken from the November retreat. The city will begin the biennial budget for 2016-2018. She requested that the commission provide her an estimate of the expenses needed for American Sign Language (ASL) services. She will meet with the management team to review the Transition Plan. An intern will be hired to assist in the update of the plan. 2015 TACOD Committee Info.pdf Liaison Report – Sandy Davis There was no report. TACID Report – Nola Renz There was no report. Center for Independent Living (CFI) Report – Todd Holloway Commissioner Holloway reported that personnel issues with the north counties have been resolved. They’ve hired management and are in the process of hiring additional staff. Commissioner Byram is a new board member. The draft for the State Plan on Independent Living (SPIL) will be available in January. Commissioner Holloway provided everyone with copies of the 2017-2019 SPIL Public Hearing questions. The commissioners were asked to share the questions with family and friends, and then to provide him their feedback to include as the SPIL is developed. Discussion ensued. If you have questions about CFI, the Work Incentive Opportunity, or the State Plan for Independent Living, contact Commissioner Holloway. Business Committee Goal Review Effective Communication – Commissioner Byram Commissioner Byram provided a handout of the 2016 goals. Discussion ensued and it was agreed that goal #1 be revised to state that ‘…through six total Community Council, Neighborhood Council and Business District meeting. Vice-Chair Miles recommended that the focus on the presentations to the Neighborhood Councils should be on educating the board. Goal #3 will draw from information obtained from research that SPIL is gathering for the state plan. Commissioner Holloway will email everyone the current SPIL to review. Effective Communication 2016 Goals.pdf Mental Health – JoAnn Fritsche Commissioner Fritsche provided a handout on the goals for the Mental Health committee. Chair Nyland recommended that the goals be narrowed down. It was agreed that the goals will be revised to read, ‘Goal #1 – Research cost and feasibility of a DVR, Optum and City of Tacoma pilot mental health program, to be completed by February. Goal #2 – Develop a plan with a target date of April. Goal # 3 – Select a partner by May.’ Mental Health Report and 2016 Goals.pdf Liaison to City Project Reports Discussion ensued regarding the process for scheduling city liaison reports. Ms. St. Germain recommended that there be a quarterly check in. Taxi Cabs – Krystal Monteros Chair Nyland provided a handout and reviewed the goals for 2016. He attended the Government Performance and Finance Committee meeting. They have collected $15,000 from the $.10 surcharge on taxi fares. They will approach Uber to see if they are interested in soliciting drivers with lift equipped vehicles. Lift-equipped Taxi goals.pdf Strategic Plan 2025 – Roxanne Miles Vice-Chair Miles shared that their goal is to review the strategic vision of Tacoma 2025 and recommend projects or actions for alignment with commission goals by June 1, 2016. Transition Plan – Gerrit Nyland Chair Nyland provided a handout and reviewed the goals for the committee. Transition Plan 2016 Goals.pdf Emergency Management – Todd Holloway Commissioner Holloway provided a handout of the 2015 report and suggested that the committee review the 2016 plans and provide an update after the meeting on December 22. 2015 Goals for Emergency Mgmt Team.pdf Human Resources – Gary Peterson Commissioner Peterson reported that they are working to get someone with developmental disabilities hired. In 2016 they will present an informational video about disabilities to City of Tacoma employees. Parking Enforcement – Gerrit Nyland There was nothing to report. ADA Web Accessibility – Gerrit Nyland There was nothing to report. Public Works – Roxanne Miles There was nothing to report. They will schedule a time for Gail Himes to provide an update. Accessible Communities Grant Application Ideas MOTION: Commissioner Dye moved that the commission pursue the process of investigating and applying for relevant grants to obtain funding for the lift-equipped taxi. SECONDED BY: Commissioner Peterson. Chair Nyland noted that commission will be active in writing the grant however, the City will be the grant recipient. Discussion ensued. ACTION: The motion carried Commission Reorganization Update Letter to TC Chair Nyland will compose a letter to City Manager, T.C. Broadnax to thank the city for addressing the COD’s concerns. Plastic Bag Ban Concerns Stan Smith, a former commissioner contacted the City Manager’s office with concerns that a potential ban on plastic bags would create an undue burden on people with disabilities. His view was that individuals with disabilities should have to access to bags for free and having to ask for them as an accommodation is not acceptable. Chair Nyland asked if this concern is something that the COD should take on. Discussion ensued. Vice-Chair Miles stated that the COD’s position should be in support of stores providing bags that don’t collapse. Chair Nyland will contact Mr. Smith to inform him of the commission’s position. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm Upcoming Meetings: January 14, 2016 4 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