Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH)

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

August 12, 2008

Present: Special Guest Peter Lauretzen, Julie Duke, Pat Teal, Marion Huxtable, Bonnie Bolster, Kaheya Cunningham, Lynn Gressley, Liz Rocha

Minutes of the July 2008 meeting were approved.

Public Access

The Board discussed DASH’s official position on the draft Pedestrian Safety Ordinance which will be presented for first reading on August 18 at the City Council meeting. Lynn drafted comments for Board review. The recommendations essentially emphasize safety issues which DASH had offered to the Council in late July. The Board accepted the proposed comments with the addition that language be included to require bicyclists to pass or overtake pedestrians at near walking speed

Peter Lauretzen, Chairperson of the Non-Motorized Transportation Board gave the Board an overview of the work of the NMTB and emphasized that the Board fully supports making Port Townsend welcoming for all pedestrians and those who use traditional and non-traditional types of non-motorized vehicles. He also pointed out an issue which the NMTB strongly promotes which is the need for pedestrians and particularly bicyclists to carry light at night.

DASH has not received any clarification from Mary Heather Ames regarding the City’s decision-making process for replacing the curb cut at the Northeast corner of Lawrence and Tyler. DASH believes that that curb cut was the best one at the intersection.

Marion is planning to attend the Working Group for the Highway 19/20 corridor planning project. She recommended that DASH actively consider what issues are important to people with disabilities and make sure that they are presented during the 18 month process.

Treasury/Fundraising

Lynn reported that the current balance is $2048 and that charges for web hosting and email will be coming up in the next few months.

Outside Committee Work

Pat reported that an issue in Section 8 housing may be surfacing which will affect people with disabilities. A new certification regulation requiring a physician to swear an oath certifying a person’s disability may have a significant impact. Pat will provide more information as it becomes available. The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m. Next meeting, Tuesday, September 9 from Noon to 2:00.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 pm.

Next meeting, Tuesday, September 9 from Noon to 2:00.