DASH Board Meeting Notes

10 January 2006

First Federal Savings and Loan

Who was there
Julie Duke, Pat Teal, Karen Pierce, Annod Bickley, Leslie Bunton, Lynn Gressley, Kay Harper, Nancy Obert, Joannie Murayama, Kaheya Cunningham, Susan Kinne

Guests: Charles Kaldahl and Dan Barnes.

Introductions were made. Visiting the board today are Dan Barnes and Charles Kaldahl. Both are interested in how DASH works and bring extensive backgrounds in accessibility issues.

Report on Tour of City Hall Annex

Pat gave a summary of her recent tour of the City Hall annex. The annex entry appears to have plenty of room to be accessible for anyone entering. She noted the women’s bathroom has an automatic door opener and the men’s room is quite spacious. She noted that the elevator seems to be in the appropriate place and should be accessible. The plan is to use the old City Hall elevator for public meetings. There are a number of low counters in public areas to meet peoples varying needs. The Access Committee will meet for a tour of City Hall on Jan. 16th.

Constitution of By-Laws

Copies of the proposed By-Laws from the Long Range Planning Committee were passed out. All were encouraged to read them and return comments to Lesa by email that will pass them onto Sam Watson-Alván who is working with the committee on development. Pat read through the main sections of each of the By-Laws. There was one change made during discussion: Section VII, H, #3 Will be titled “Fundraising & Resource Development”
It was noted that the By-Laws looked like a different draft than the Long Range Planning Committee had in its final draft. There were some additions missing in the check signing powers section. Article VII, Section H #2. Karen will check with Lesa about this difference.
Pat explained that Sam will be attending the Board Meeting in February and the Board will be voting on the By-Laws at that meeting.
Pat also noted that DASH will be applying for Non-Profit Cooperation and the board needs to select and agent. Pat volunteered to do this and the Board unanimously voted to elect her to this role.

Reports from outside committee work

Governor’s Committee on Disabilities

Kaheya recently attended a session on ethics rules in Olympia. After the session the group attended a dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. Kaheya asked Governor Gregoire if she had considered including funding in her budget to improve the accessibility of streets and sidewalks across the state. The Governor told Kaheya that this was in her budget and that she was receiving quite a bit of flack about it from a number of groups who want her to trim her budget. The Board would like to send a thank you note to Governor Gregoire for all her work toward improving disability access in the state.
Kaheya will next be attending a legislative reception and the general business meeting in Tacoma. Kaheya is in the process of re-applying for a second term to the Governor’s Committee on Disabilities. Kaheya said that forms are available on line to invite the governor to attend meetings and events.

Centrum Committee

The group will meet tomorrow.

Housing Authority

There will be a tenants’ rights meeting at 7:00 pm, Feb. 13, the Tri-Area Community Center.

City Transportation Committee

Has not met.

Committee Reports

Art s Enrichment Committee

Annod announced that the Key City Players Theater has built a ramp to the stage at her repeated request so anyone with a mobility problem can audition or participate in plays or readings.

Annod noted that with Lesa's invaluable help the letter requesting an electric mobility scooter for PT's Goodwill store has been sent to the store manager. The letter was read aloud by Annod.
Bitsy Bidwell will try to find Universal Design in DVD form and let us know when she accesses it.
Annod has decided that she cannot take on coordinating the VSA arts workshop here in March. She stated that she committed to it without thinking about her current load of activities, but has realized that it is simply too much for her with all the other events happening in March and April. She apologized for having to withdraw her agreement to do it at this time. Annod wondered if we could still fund it by paying VSA for the workshop in advance with the idea of pursuing it perhaps in October (National Disability Awareness Month)?
Joannie reported on library displays for April: We are on for PT Library; Jefferson County Library has such a demand for the space in April that we can only display on alternate years and so will be able to display in 2007.
The Poetic Justice Troupe will do its performance on Disability Issues on March 29th at Quimper Unitarian Church from 1:30-4:30 p. m. This performance will be for persons with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.

Earth Day Subcommittee: Ideas for Earth Day DASH include an appealing table display with our Event video and Universal Design video running; decorated wheelchair and other disability aides; book and video display; a free raffle for Centrum tickets, dinner tickets, etc.; and, a wheelchair challenge and blindfold challenge. Committee will next meet Jan. 18.

Public Access

The committee will tour the City Hall annex January 19.
Finalization with the city on their ADA Grievance policy is in process.
Visitor Dan Barnes noted that he will be putting in a ramp into his home soon and would like to invite anyone who is interested to come and observe. He will let the board know the dates.

Education Committee

The committee will be making a presentation to the OPEPO class and Port Townsend’s Mountain View Middle School in January or February. The committee is continuing to recruit other venues for presentation.

Event Planning Committee

The Event plans are moving forward. Bob Geisler, Safeway manager, and Marilyn Staples of the Green Eye-Shade have both agreed to be participants. P.T. Mayor Mark Welch is not able to do the Event but has agreed to find two students from PTHS to participate. The committee meets tomorrow.

Other Business

Pat noted that Democracy for America is setting up a potluck and has extended an invitation to DASH. The potluck will be January 25 from 5-8 p m. For information call 379-8901.

Pat announced there would be a special bus to provide transportation to Seattle for the upcoming MLK celebration event on the 16th. The bus leaves the park-n-ride at 6:30 a.m.

Annod asked permission to write a thank you note to the Key City Play House thanking them for installing their ramp on the stage. Annod will run this letter through Lesa first. Kay asked that Key City work on becoming more accessible to its audience as well.

The Next Board meeting will be held
Feb. 14, 2006
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.