DASH Board Meeting Notes

8 November 2005

First Federal Savings and Loan

Who was there:

Julie Duke, Pat Teal, Lesa Barnes, Karen Pierce, Annod Bickley, Leslie Bunton, Lynn Gressley, Kay Harper, Susan Kinne, Nancy Obert, Joannie Murayama, Kaheya Cunningham. Visitors: Roger Davis, Virginia Ashby, Connor Daily.

Guest Speaker: Connor Daily, Port Townsend Police Chief:
Chief Daily asked the board members to please remember to place their accessibility-parking pass on the rear view mirror of their car in plain view so parking officers can see them. If you forget to do this you can go to the police station with your placard and have the ticket revoked.
The Board asked if there could be a parking spot in front of the police station converted to an accessible parking spot. They sighted how difficult it is to do police business if you have a disability and you cannot park nearby. Chief Daily will speak to the Public Works Department about this.
Kay pointed out that most of the accessible parking spots are not wide enough to unload a van with a lift. Is there any way we can change this? Connor will work with Public Works on this as well.
The Board asked if the city could attach fine amounts on accessible parking signs to help with enforcement. The Chief will take this under consideration with Public Works.
The Chief talked briefly about the police departments work to cut down speeding within the city. There is a “Speed Committee” that works with the department on such issues. Some members of the Board were interested in being on this committee. The Chief will have Bill Erickson, P.T. Police Volunteer Coordinator contact Karen with information on how to attend the meeting. Karen will forward this information to the Board on receiving it.
Chief Daily informed the Board that motorized scooters and wheelchairs do not have to follow traffic laws because their users are considered pedestrians.
If you spot someone illegally parked in an accessible parking spot you may report it to the police department by giving time, place and license plate number. If the car is moved by the time the officer arrives they will send the person a letter reminding them that parking in an accessible parking spot carries a $250 fine. The chief also pointed out if you are parked anywhere with a accessible parking placard there is no time limit on how long you can park in that spot. He also noted that the police would enforce illegal disabled parking in both private and public spots. He noted that there has been no backlash on enforcing accessible parking from the public.

Video Presentations

Annod shared a video on the concept of Universal Design, which encourages all public and private areas to be accessible. The concept challenges building areas to go beyond the ADA guidelines.

The DASH Event video was also viewed. It was taped after the Event and used commentary from Event participants to describe their experience. Copies of the video will be available on CD. There was some discussion on how to get the CD out there. Leslie stated that People First had a subscription with PTTV and she would see if we could use some of their time to run the CD.

Committee Reports

Education Committee

The committee completed its first presentation to the 4-H after school program in Quilcene. Approx. 12 children, ages 6-12 attended. The presentation was well received with the children asking a number of excellent questions regarding what it is like to have a disability and sharing stories about people they know who are disabled. The committee is planning to do 1-2 presentations a month. They are looking at small groups in classrooms, public libraries and other venues yet to be named to do these presentations.
The Education Committee submitted its work plan to Lesa.
The Ed. Committee would like to see two high school students from each local school district participate in this years Event.

Public Access

The committee read a draft of a letter to four restaurants (La Isla, QFC, Safeway, and Silverwater) that are currently on the restaurant brochure list informing them that recently it has been noted that there are obstacles blocking access to their bathrooms and other necessary pathways. The letter asks these businesses to clean up these areas and reminds them that they have been included in the brochure as an accessible place. The brochure can now be found online at P.T. Guide. Lesa is still working on it being placed on the O3A website.
Julie was invited by Quimper Credit Union to evaluate its new Port Hadlock office to ensure accessibility through its front door.
Lynn and Lesa were invited by the City Librarian to evaluate an accessible computer station. They left the librarian with a list of things that would help improve the workstation.
Lynn emailed Tyler Johnson regarding the Port Townsend Accessibility Map. He is awaiting a response.
The committee is still waiting to gain access to the City Hall Annex to survey its accessibility. The committee meets with City Engineer Dave Peterson next month and the hope is this can be resolved at this time
Pat continues to regularly attend Chamber luncheons and read upcoming speakers for the month.

Long Range Planning

Four Board members met with Sam. After this meeting he was able to draft some articles of incorporation. The committee has set a goal to draft Bi-laws by February and have them approved by March. With this step completed the process can begin to file for 501(c)3 status. Annod mentioned that she has recently met an attorney whom she will talk with to see if she is interested in working with DASH on this process.

Art s Enrichment Committee

· This group has also completed its work plan and mission statement. They will email it to Lesa.
· The Committee published a letter to the editor thanking Paradise Theater in Chimacum for becoming accessible. Kay has agreed to go to the theater to ensure the spaces reserved for wheelchairs are large enough.
· The committee is coordinating with the Poetic Justice Troupe regarding a performance around disability issues in April, which will coincide with Disability Awareness Month.

Event Planning Committee

Participants so far include Bob Hamlin, Emergency Preparedness; Rich Berg, Architect; Jonathan Rywick, Alriches; and Kate Berg, Centrum. Leslie suggested finding someone from Oly Cap or the parks department.

Announcements / Outside committee updates / other business

Kaheya will be attending a dinner at the Governor’s Mansion in December. She would like help with one concise topic on disabilities she can discuss with the Governor. Some ideas given were accessibility to employment and framing health care access into accessible communities. Kaheya will ask for more input at the next meeting.
The March 22/23 ADA training will be held in the Chapel at Fort Warden.
Rory Calhoun, ADA Coordinator for the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for Washington would be happy to come during April and do a presentation to a larger audience. Annod ask for suggestions from the Board for what audience we could target. One suggestion was the builders in the community. The Board was asked to think about this and check in again next month.

The Next Board meeting will be held

December 13th, 2005

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.