Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH)

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Present: Councilwoman Laurie Medlicott, Jim Todd, Dennis Crawford, Pat Teal, Marion Huxtable, Bonnie Bolster, Julie Duke, Kay Harper, Sue Ammeter, Kaheya Cunningham, Lynn Gressley, Leslie Buntin

Minutes of the Aprilr meeting were approved.

Public Access

Councilwoman Laurie Medlicott reported that within a year both the permitted and non-permitted sandwich boards which impair pedestrian travel in the downtown and uptown areas should be removed and replaced by informational kiosks. In addition, she said that she is working to remove such boards on Upper Sims and Port property.

A proposed Pedestrian Safety Ordinance is an issue which will come before the General Services Committee of the City Council on June 3. Laurie recommended that comment about such an ordinance should be directed to the Council members and in-person comment is welcome at the June 3 meeting.

Previously, all members of the DASH Board signed a Pedestrian Safety petition circulated by Jim Todd. Pat proposed a Board Resolution which was seconded by Kaheya.

Board Resolution

The Board of Directors of Disability Awareness Starts Here recommends that all sidewalks in Port Townsend be made pedestrian safe to the fullest extent possible for all people. We further endorse the contents of a City Ordinance proposed by Jim Todd as follows:

Pedestrian Safety Ordinance (PSO):

(1) Except for the vehicles of small children and disabled persons, all sidewalks are for the use of pedestrians only.

(2) On sidewalks and multiuse paths vehicles shall yield to pedestrians and shall pass or overtake pedestrians at near walking speed (ca 5 mph) after announcing their presence by bell or voice.

The above resolution was approved unanimously.

Public Access Committee

Pat reported that the Committee is going to evaluate the Gym at Fort Warden at the request of the Madrona Mind Body Institute. Also the re-evaluation of Jefferson Health Care facilities and services will begin within a month.

Treasury/Fundraising

DASH expended $681 to purchase 400 DASH Maps to replenish our supply. Members agreed to distribute the maps to locations around the County.

Lynn reported that he had submitted the 2008 UGN Member Agency Application.

Leslie Buntin, former DASH Board member, presented the organization with a $50 check as a donation from People First of Jefferson County.

New Business

The Board voted unanimously to accept Marion Huxtable as a Director.

The Board also voted to allow DASH to be the fiscal agent for the Emergency Preparation for People with Disabilities Committee’s fundraising efforts to stock 180 To Go Bags which the County Emergency Management Department has purchased.

Outside Committee Reports

Kaheya reported that as a representative of the Governor’s Committee, she had a request from the Director of the Central Washington University, Access Office for samples of DASH’s April Proclamations and to be placed on our mailing list.

Pat reported that the Housing Authority is again looking into developing a strategy to purchase Garden Court Apartments in Port Hadlock to preserve low-income accessible housing.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:52 pm

Next meeting, Tuesday, June 10, Noon to 2:00