Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH)

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Present:Pat Teal, Julie Duke, Bonnie Bolster, Lynn Gressley, Special Guest: Laurie Medlicott

The minutes of the June meeting were approved

Public Access

Councilor Medlicott explained to the Board that the City is proposing an Ordinance which would permit sidewalk café seating in the downtown historic district. She is proposing that DASH meet with Rick Sepler and Ken Clow to walk the suggested sites and evaluate specific access issues. Laurie will inform us of the possible meeting and of the first reading of the Ordinance.

Special Note: On August 3, the City Council approved Ordinance 3017 which would permit the establishment of sidewalk cafes. The Ordinance includes the following specific language to mandate that businesses adhere to ADA guidelines.

“A new section is added at .080 setting forth a permit requirement for the applicant to specifically acknowledge ADA requirements. The DSD the Public Works Department Directors are directed to work with Main Street, the Chamber, and other interested entities or parties to develop educational information and to incorporate the information into permit requirements and applicant acknowledgments.”

Pat reported that the Non-Motorized Transportation Board has developed proposed trail and sidewalk projects to be included in the updated Plan. She will let the Board know of the means to comment on these projects.

Lynn reported that the lawyer for the plaintiff suing Jefferson Health Care over the faulty nature of one of the “accessible parking spaces” is requesting that DASH render an opinion about the particular space. Marion currently has the pictures and reports submitted by Richard Berg and an additional expert and she will bring them to the next meeting.

Treasury/Fundraising

Julie reported the current fund balance is $2,686.64. Lynn reported that UGN has awarded DASH $300 for the next funding year. The Board approved allocating $300 to Fire Fly Designs for website maintenance.

Outside Committee

Work Pat reported that Clallam County Housing Authority will take over Jefferson County Housing. This will mean that the local office will not close but that inspections will transfer from Jefferson County Housing personnel to Clallam people. Although some local control will be lost, there is hope that the County Commissioners from both counties can form an affordable housing consortium which will provide for shared control.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 pm.

Next meeting, Tuesday, August 11, 2009 from Noon to 2:00 in the Uptown Community Center Card Room.