Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH)

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

January 13, 2009

Present: Pat Teal, Sue Ammeter, Julie Duke, Marion Huxtable, and Lynn Gressley

Minutes of the October meeting were approved.

Public Access

Marion reported notice of a seminar on Smart Trips which will be held on January 23 to see how the system might be adapted to Jefferson County. Such a system would probably impact the Highway 19/20 corridor project and could impact access opportunities for people with disabilities to new transit options.

Regarding lights on bicycles, Marion talked of a Court case which found a bicyclist in violation of some ordinance for not having a light at night. We need more information about the Court involved in order to possibly present the information to John Watts for an opinion about its applicability to Port Townsend.

Pat reported that the NMTB is recommending that a series of graduated steps be taken to deal with violators of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Ordinance. However, she believes that the recommendations are essentially watering down the law because they do not have a provision for confiscation of a bicycle or skate board for a flagrant violator. The General Services Committee will probably take up this issue as well as signage on sidewalks at its next meeting on Feb. 3 at 4:00 pm.

Lynn reported that the Emergency Prep for People with Disabilities classes will begin on Feb. 6 and that we are still looking for people to sign up. Pat and Marion agreed to distribute the fliers to the support Groups at the Hospital.

Treasury/Fundraising

Julie reported that the current fund balance is $3143.

DASH has not yet purchased any emergency radios as a donation to the To Go bags because we don’t know how many people will be taking the classes.

As the fiscal agent for the donations for the emergency classes, we will be receiving $500 from the Rotary Club.

Disability for a Day Planning

The Event will be on April 22 and we are currently in the planning process. The next meeting is Feb. 11 at the Courthouse.

Outside Committee Work

Sue reported that the accessible voting machine at the Auditor’s Office was used by 3 people at the last election. The machine will stay but it is unfortunate that more print impaired people have not chosen to use it.

Pat agreed to contact Geoff Masci to explore his interest in working with DASH.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 pm.

Next meeting, February 10 at Noon here at First Federal.