DASH Board Meeting Notes

12 July 2005

First Federal Savings & Loan Board Room

Who was there

Julie Duke, Kaheya Cunningham, Nancy Obert, Pat Teal, Karen Pierce, Annod Bickley, Leslie Bunton, Lynn Gressley, Curtis Stacey.

Committee Reports

Public Access:

Committee has some final recommendations for the Accessible Port Townsend Map. They are as follows:

1) Curb-Cuts in red; change the name “ramp” “to curb-cuts.”
2) Note at bottom that reads, “Other ruff or poor curb-cuts are left off this map.”
3) Add accessible parking to Harrison & Lawrence
4) Add curb-cut on Walker and Lincoln.
5) Note on front of map that this is a map of Uptown and Downtown Port Townsend only and not outlying areas.
6) The information on the back of the current map will remain the same.

The Board and the Committee would like to have a press release in the Leader when the map is published. The Arts Committee is interested in redesigning the cover of the map to make it more appealing. Annod will speak to Joannie about doing this and get back to Karen this week.

Pat read the final letter to the editor on the gas station survey. There were a few minor changes that will be made and then it will be ready for a signature. Being that it is the Leader’s policy to only publish one letter a month from each person. It was decided to have Julie sign this letter as Pat has just sent a letter to the editor for something else.

Dave Peterson will be meeting with the committee next month where there will be discussion on the city grievance policy.

The committee has determined to add accessible eating areas in a paragraph form to the restaurant brochure. Pat read through the names that would be added.

Pat announced that this coming Monday’s Chamber Meeting will feature Representative Lynn Kessler. The meeting is at Noon at Ford Worden Commons.

There was discussion on a recent local TV show featuring City Councilor Geoff Masci. Mr. Masci expresses some views that perhaps curb-cuts are not needed in Port Townsend. There was discussion about the board raising awareness in the community about the need for curb-cuts and why there are helpful not only to the local residents but to bring in more outside business.

Pat noted that the University of Washington is currently exhibiting an art display for the blind. Persons who attend that are sighted are blindfolded so they can experience the exhibit in the same way.

Arts & Entertainment Committee:

Centrum is working on bringing Mountain Play Theater Company to perform. This company has a long history of making theater accessible for all persons with any disability.

Dan Schmitt of VSA has sent out an outline of the two-day accessibility that it wished to do in cooperation with Centrum and possibly DASH and other sponsors. Annod asked and was given permission to send Board members an email of the outline. Centrum hopes to do this conference in the fall, but no date has been set as yet.

Education Committee:

The committee continues its process of viewing videos at both the county and city libraries to see if any would be relevant for sharing with children. Leslie has recently received some email videos from the NW ADA Center. They are available for free for 2 weeks.

Long Range Planning Committee:

Karen reported on last week’s meeting in which Lesa shared a number of interviews she had conducted with local 501(c)3 non-profit groups. The groups had various ways of running their boards and how they did business. Lesa will give a full report to the Board at next month’s meeting. The committee at this point believes it is a good idea to pursue non-profit status. This will also be discussed at next months meeting. Lesa will ask Sam if he is available to conduct a planning meeting with the board in the fall.

Leslie asked if it would be possible for Sam to attend a Board meeting and view the Board in a practical setting. She believes it would be helpful for him to see how the board dynamics work.

Curtis would like DASH to connect with its “customer base”, the people we serve or represent. He would like to see if the community we serve values DASH and if they want us to continue what we are doing. There was discussion about a community survey or some type of press release that would ask these questions in a community way. The Board would like this idea on next month’s agenda as a time for brainstorming and future discussion.

Other Business & Announcements

Kaheya will be attending her Governor’s commission on disability at the Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn from July 19th-22nd. Included in her stay will be a Native American Conference on Disabilities.

Marion Huckstable of the Port Townsend Non-Motorized Committee asked Julie and Pat to survey a new curb-cut at the corner of Taylor and Lawrence, by Aldrich’s. Marion is concerned the pitch is too steep. Due to construction they were unable to test the curb, but did take pictures, which were passed around. It is difficult to determine if the pitch is incorrect. So Pat and Julie will return soon to try it out as the sidewalk is now open.

Pat announced that the Housing Authority 5-year plan is waiting for federal approval. With federal approval a voucher plan will go into effect that may change the way people with a mental illness will be able to qualify for an apartment. If the feds approve this plan an announcement will be in the paper describing the changes and there will be a public comment period. Pat asked that people look for this announcement to keep abreast of what the 5-year plan will look like.

Annod asked Curtis if there is anyway to put a loading zone for persons with disabilities at the Haines St. Park and Ride. Curtis said DASH should write a letter stating this desire and send it to transit. He felt this is something transit could do if it were placed on the Castle Hill Stop Side. The Board directed Karen to write this letter stating their request.

The Next Board meeting will be held

Aug. 9th, 2005

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

1st Federal Savings & Loan