DASH Board Meeting Notes

8 Aug. 2006

First Federal Savings and Loan

Who was there
Pat Teal, Lesa, Barnes, Karen Pierce, Leslie Bunton, Lynn Gressley, Nancy Obert, Kaheya Cunningham, Julie Duke, Susan Kinne, and Kay Harper.

Committee Reports

Public Access

Pat passed out copies of the latest draft of the Accessible Port Townsend Map. Board members were encouraged to look it over for anything that is missing or incorrect. Pat will take corrections to Tyler Johnson and then the map will be printed and distributed.

Committee members evaluated the newly re-modeled health department offices and environmental health offices. The health department is very accessible and has a bathroom that even accommodates scooters. Environmental health took a checklist to ensure they are accessible. It was noted that they need to do some work on the accessibility of their information counters. The committee also evaluated the fair grounds. The area needs much work and the fair board is very interested in making the grounds as accessible as possible and is doing what it can. Money is a great restriction at this time. The committee will be evaluated the newly renovated DSHS building next week.

Pat noted Rep. Lynn Kessler would be at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Aug. 21st. On Aug. 28th City Planner Rick Sepler and councilman Scott Walker will be speaking about the Sims Way round-a-bout project.

The committee will evaluate Hamilton Heights sidewalks and also the new sidewalks put in on Discovery Road, near McPherson St. Pat reported that Laurie Medlicott told her that she was pleased that DASH would be working with the city on the sidewalks.

Susan noted that the CDC Division of Health would be including DASH in their weekly publication showcasing the work done involving city planners and non-health professionals in making their communities more accessible.

Pat made mention of a resident of Kala Point who is unable to attend Housing Authority meetings because Transit does not offer Dial-a-Ride service to Kala Point as it is too far off the fixed route. Lynn and Julie will take this concern to the transit board meeting.

The City of Port Townsend adopted an ADA grievance policy. It is very similar to the county’s policy.

Education Committee

The committee will make a presentation to the YMCA summer program at Grant Street on Friday Aug. 11th. It is continuing to look for other opportunities for more presentations. The committee will meet briefly today after the meeting.

Arts Enrichments Committee

Joannie and Annod were unable to attend today’s meeting; below is a report from Joannie.

The new owner of Bread and Roses, Marissa, has plans to turn the cafe into an arts center, with art, music, etc. Her intention is to make B & R more accessible and wants to meet with Annod and Joannie in September. Julie will talk with Joannie about the Access Committee’s involvement.

Key City Players has arranged for a golf cart to be available for people with mobility issues at their performances of Taming of the Shrew at Chetzemoka Park. Although this has not been advertised, the cart is available for all performances. Julie noted there is also a Jefferson Transit bus to this event.

Key City is working on architectural plans for their new building on Lawrence St, next to the movie theater. They will call DASH to evaluate the plans. (Denise Winters of Key City came to the Poetic Justice performances this year and the ADA workshop and is very dedicated to accessibility.)

Annod and Joannie will meet with Kathy Meyers, the Leader's Arts Editor, in September.

DASH RECEIVES NON-PROFIT STATUS

DASH received the IRS determination of tax-exempt status. The review was complete in just six weeks! There was wonderful coverage about this in both the Peninsula Daily News and the Port Townsend Leader. Lesa would like to take a picture of the board at next month’s meeting that can be used for press releases and promotional items.

Reports from Outside Committee Work

Governors Committee

Kaheya was unable to attend the Native American Conference on Disabilities in Sunnyside, Washington, as there was no public transportation available. Kaheya called the conference organizers to report this problem and they told her they would take into consideration for the next conference two years from now.

Housing Authority

Pat reported that there is a concern in the authority regarding the loss of affordable housing. Garden Court Apartments in Hadlock is for sale and Lawrence Street Apartments are changing into condos. The housing authority will finish its needs assessment in the next month or so.

Other Announcements

Rory Calhoun from the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for Washington will be a speaker at the Oct. 10th board meeting. This meeting will be held at the Port Townsend Community Center and the public will be invited.

We are awaiting completion of the Event video. Lesa has been in contact with Mark Welch weekly to check the progress of this project. Mark tells Lesa the video is close to completion and he will finish as soon as possible.

Lesa passed out an article from The Leader in 1991. It was a story about Kay Harper and Esther Lorecki coordinating an assume-a-disability-type-event for the mayoral candidates. The four candidates were given wheelchairs and Kay and Esther escorted them around town showing them how inaccessible Port Townsend was.

Julie gave a splendid report on her recent participation in the Blues Gospel Choir at Centrum. Julie noted that the night of the performance the people in the choir with disabilities were on the stage using their assistive devices as needed. She felt so included and felt the people who worked the blues festival did all they could to make Centrum as accessible as possible.

Annod has been appointed to the Washington State Arts Commission. Congratulations Annod!!!

Leslie and Kay requested DASH brochures for the People First booth at the county fair. Since Karen will be at the bunny barn, anyway, she will deliver the brochures.

The Next Board meeting will be held
Sept. 12, 2006
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

First Federal Savings and Loan

Bring your best smile for the Board picture.