DASH Board Meeting Notes

Sept. 12, 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, Joannie Murayama, Annod Bickley.
Guest: Mary Henrichs

Introductions: Annod introduced her guest Mary Hinrichs. Mary is interested in disability access, and has experience in law, non-profit management and advocacy.

Committee Reports

Public Access

Pat met with Tyler Johnson regarding the city accessibility map. A number of the accessible parking spots were not included because they are not up to ADA standards. Tyler will distinguish ADA parking spots from non-ADA-but-generally-accessible parking spots. Tyler will contact Lesa who will get the map to SOS for printing.
The access committee will discuss updating the restaurant brochure at its next meeting.
Liesa and Jimmy Henness, past DASH Board members, have offered to once again distribute brochures and maps throughout Clallam, Jefferson and Island counties.
There will be a public meeting this evening on the development of the Upper Sims Way area. Another meeting is scheduled for Oct. 10th.
The committee met with Mary Heather Ames from city public works. She discussed sidewalk and street improvements to Discovery Road and Washington St. There will be a sidewalk from the top of Discovery all the way to Towne Point by the end of next summer. There is continued discussion on the area in front of Haller Fountain. Transit would like a loading zone in front of the fountain that could double as a transit stop. Part of the money used for this project is coming from private funds for the Steve Corra memorial so there are still details to be worked out. There will also be some type of sidewalk modification from the fountain to Monroe Street.
The committee evaluated Hamilton Heights sidewalks and found it to be a very satisfactory.
Washington State Ferries will be holding and open house Sept. 13 on the future of the Port Townsend Ferry dock. It would be good if someone from DASH could attend.
The committee surveyed the new DSHS building and found it extremely accessible. They also looked at the Planning and Community Development facilities finding them accessible with a need for more accessible parking.
Annod reported that the Unitarian church would like a formal evaluation and report done by DASH that it can submit to the city arts commission verifying that the QUUF facility is a qualified facility for activities sponsored by the arts commission.
It was also reported that someone from Habitat for Humanity thrift store requested an evaluation of their store.

Education Committee

The committee made a presentation to the YMCA summer program at Grant Street on Friday Aug. 11th. There were approximately 16 children ranging from the ages of 6-10. Lynn gave a brief description of what the committee does during a presentation. The committee is continuing to look for other opportunities for more presentations. It is interested in targeting junior high and high school students. Suggestions from the board were to contact churches that may be interested in presentations to their youth groups.

Arts Enrichments Committee

Paradise Theater, in Chimacum, is now completely accessible. Key City Players is continuing to its efforts to be more accessible and is committed to making its new facility completely accessible. Denise Winter of KCP told Annod she would like DASH’s help in evaluating the plans for the new facility.

Reports from Outside Committee Work

Governors Committee

Kaheya announced that there have been no meetings in the summer and the next meeting is scheduled October 20.

Housing Authority

The County/City needs assessment is complete. The county authority is developing creative ways to increase its number of staff.

Arts

Centrum committee did not meet this summer but will likely meet in October.
City arts commission will incorporate access requirements into its application for funding.

Other Announcements

There was discussion on accessible voting in Jefferson County. Persons who need this service should contact the auditor’s office for information.
Rory Calhoun from the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for Washington will be the speaker at the Oct. 10th board meeting. This meeting will be held at the Port Townsend Community Center and the public will be invited. Lesa has distributed a number of fliers and invitations to recreation clubs and facilities. Annod reported that Jennifer Jackson of the Peninsula Daily News is interested in doing an article on this.
Lesa received a call from a gentleman who had had a humiliating experience at a local shop while visiting during the Wooden Boat Festival. Pat offered to assist him should he wish to speak with the store owner.

The Next Board meeting will be held
Oct. 10th, 2006
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Port Townsend Community Center
Guest Presenter: Rory Calhoun
Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for Washington