DASH Board Meeting Notes

Dec. 12, 2006

First Federal Savings and Loan

Who was there
Pat Teal, Karen Pierce, Leslie Bunton, Lynn Gressley, Nancy Obert, Kaheya Cunningham, Julie Duke, Kay Harper and Joannie Murayama.

Introductions: Kaheya introduced her guest Pam Garrison. Pam has worked in Brinnon for over 20 years in fire department service. She is interested in joining the board.

New Business

Proposed Bylaws Amendment There was a reading by Karen of an amendment to change the number of board members required to make up the board. The amendment in article #5 in the current DASH Bylaws: The amendment reads: The Board will have no fewer than seven members and no more than 17 members. At least 50 percent of the board will comprise persons with disabilities. The DASH Board membership will include a wide-range of disabilities as well as representatives from agencies and organizations that work with or serve the persons with disabilities. Examples of such agencies include transit, the city, the county the hospital and DSHS.

This was the first reading of the amendment. In accordance with the bylaws; no action will be taken on the amendment at this meeting; the change will be voted on at next month’s board meeting.

Board Resignations Joannie Murayama and Annod Bickely have expressed their wish to resign from the board. They will wait until January to give their official resignations.

DASH Accomplishments Karen read a list of DASH board accomplishments for 2006. There were several additions noted and Karen will make these changes and attach them to these minutes.

Grant Extension Karen read an email from Susan Kinne, which tells of a 3 month extension of the CDC grant. Grant administrators are asked to submit a three-month cost-extension request immediately.

Committee Reports

Public Access

The committee met with City Councilman, Scott Walker to talk about increasing accessible parking spaces for both vans and cars. The committee reports it was a good meeting with Scott coming up with some great ideas about van access parking in bulb-out areas and increased angle parking, which should make more parking available. He would also like to see bulb-outs on every corner of new intersection constructed.

The committee met with Mary Heather Ames from city public works. They gave her a workable list of projects that the city could work on that would increase accessibility. Mary Heather also spoke about the Upper Sims Ways Grant project and upcoming improvements to the downtown area between Quincy Streets and the Hudson Point area. She also informed the committee that the area in front of Haller Fountain will be designated a drop off zone for transit vans for those with accessibility needs. It is still unclear if it will be made available for private auto drop off.

Education Committee

Nancy and Leslie made an education presentation to the 4-H after school program in Quilcene. Twenty children attended ranging from ages 6-13 years old. They felt the discussion was excellent and found that there was a great benefit in doing a presentation to the same group of kids they had presented to in the past as there was more learning and questions. (The education committee did a similar presentation to this group last spring.)

Arts Enrichments Committee

No report

Reports from Outside Committee Work

Governors Committee

Kaheya met David Lord at the Oct. Governor’s committee. Through this meeting she invited him to speak to the DASH Board, which he did at the October meeting. Kaheya expressed concern in the functionality of the committee. She feels like there is little work being accomplished by the group. There was some discussion on how to increase functionality and it was suggested that Kaheya invite members of the Governor’s committee to attend a DASH Board meeting to see the types of work DASH is involved in.

Housing Authority

Pat announced that she has been re-appointed to the housing authority committee. In a recent housing authority survey it was found that 80% of the clients receiving Section 8 housing were not self-sufficient.

Other announcements

Pat attended the City Access Gala Celebration and reported that many people approached her thanking her for DASH’s work in making the new City Hall accessible.

Pat also extended an invitation to anyone who would like to attend the emergency preparedness planning group for people with disabilities. The meetings have been taking place at the health department. Anyone interested should contact Pat.

The Next Board meeting will be held
Jan. 10, 2007
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
First Federal Savings and Loan
Guest: Owen Fairbank
Non-Motorized Committee

DASH BOARD ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2006

January 2006

Public Access Committee tours new City Hall and finds it very accessible. The access committee has been involved with the City throughout the building process.
Annod Bickley works with Key City Players who install a ramp to the stage so persons with a disability can audition and perform.
Kaheya dines with Governor Gregoire at the Governor’s Mansion discussing funding of streets and sidewalks around the state.

February 2006

Education Committee presents an educational event on disability awareness to the Presbyterian Youth Group in Quilcene with approx. 12 children ages 8-11 attending.
Access committee works with Habitat for Humanity store to make it more accessible inside the store.

March 2006:

DASH becomes a non-profit corporation in the State of Washington.
Kaheya and Leslie attend the independent living rally in Olympia.
Many DASH Board members and city leaders attend ADA Training from the Northwest ADA Center.
Kaheya gave a 1½ hour presentation about DASH to State Access Subcommittee.

April 2006:

The Assume-A-Disability Event takes place in downtown Port Townsend and at Fort Warden. Two Chimacum High School students were among the participants and three Port Townsend Students with the visual arts class took video of the various participants and venues and will make a CD of the Event.
PT shorts broadcast its disability awareness performance on PTTV throughout the month of April.
Poetic Justice Troupe performs “A Breath Away,” twice during Disability Awareness month.
Thanks to the efforts of Annod, the Goodwill store will be receiving a new electric scooter for their store.
Jefferson County passes its ADA Grievance Policy.

May 2006

The DASH board approves articles of incorporation, bylaws and conflict of interest policy for the new DASH corporation.
VSA Arts, ADA training held at Centrum with over 50 participants from around the state.
Access Committee assesses Jefferson County Fairgrounds giving the Fair Board many tips on how to increase its accessibility. The Fair is anxious to do as much as they can within their budget constraints.
Access Committee evaluates new Port Townsend Fire Department and finds it accessibility excellent.

June 2006

The education committee makes a presentation at Grant Street School to a 1st grade class.
Kaheya appointed Co-Chair of Civil and Legal Rights Sub-Committee of the Gov’s Committee.
Public Access Committee works with city hall staff on placement of directional information signs throughout the annex.
Lynn Gressley and Pat Teal elected President and Vice President of DASH Board.

August 2006

Access Committee evaluates the re-modeled health department and environmental health offices, finding them very accessible.
Access Committee evaluates Hamilton Heights Housing Development and its new sidewalks; finding it very satisfactory.
The City of Port Townsend adopts and ADA grievance policy.
The Education Committee makes a presentation to the YMCA Summer program.

September 2006

Paradise Theater in Chimacum, with the helpful advice of the Arts Enrichment Committee, becomes completely accessible.
Public Access committee surveys the new DSHS building, finding it very accessible.

October 2006:

Rory Calhoun, from the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for Washington makes a public presentation on accessible recreation in Washington State.

November 2006:

David Lord from the Washington Protection & Advocacy System gives a public presentation on a change in the States Definition on Disability.

Return to Dash Minutes Page

DASH Board Meeting Notes Dec. 12, 2006 First Federal Savings and Loan Who was there Pat Teal, Karen Pierce, Leslie Bunton, Lynn Gressley, Nancy Obert, Kaheya Cunningham, Julie Duke, Kay Harper and Joannie Murayama. Introductions: Kaheya introduced her guest Pam Garrison. Pam has worked in Brinnon for over 20 years in fire department service. She is interested in joining the board. New Business Proposed Bylaws Amendment There was a reading by Karen of an amendment to change the number of board members required to make up the board. The amendment in article #5 in the current DASH Bylaws: The amendment reads: The Board will have no fewer than seven members and no more than 17 members. At least 50 percent of the board will comprise persons with disabilities. The DASH Board membership will include a wide-range of disabilities as well as representatives from agencies and organizations that work with or serve the persons with disabilities. Examples of such agencies include transit, the city, the county the hospital and DSHS. This was the first reading of the amendment. In accordance with the bylaws; no action will be taken on the amendment at this meeting; the change will be voted on at next month’s board meeting. Board Resignations Joannie Murayama and Annod Bickely have expressed their wish to resign from the board. They will wait until January to give their official resignations. DASH Accomplishments Karen read a list of DASH board accomplishments for 2006. There were several additions noted and Karen will make these changes and attach them to these minutes. Grant Extension Karen read an email from Susan Kinne, which tells of a 3 month extension of the CDC grant. Grant administrators are asked to submit a three-month cost-extension request immediately. Committee Reports Public Access The committee met with City Councilman, Scott Walker to talk about increasing accessible parking spaces for both vans and cars. The committee reports it was a good meeting with Scott coming up with some great ideas about van access parking in bulb-out areas and increased angle parking, which should make more parking available. He would also like to see bulb-outs on every corner of new intersection constructed. The committee met with Mary Heather Ames from city public works. They gave her a workable list of projects that the city could work on that would increase accessibility. Mary Heather also spoke about the Upper Sims Ways Grant project and upcoming improvements to the downtown area between Quincy Streets and the Hudson Point area. She also informed the committee that the area in front of Haller Fountain will be designated a drop off zone for transit vans for those with accessibility needs. It is still unclear if it will be made available for private auto drop off. Education Committee Nancy and Leslie made an education presentation to the 4-H after school program in Quilcene. Twenty children attended ranging from ages 6-13 years old. They felt the discussion was excellent and found that there was a great benefit in doing a presentation to the same group of kids they had presented to in the past as there was more learning and questions. (The education committee did a similar presentation to this group last spring.) Arts Enrichments Committee No report Reports from Outside Committee Work Governors Committee Kaheya met David Lord at the Oct. Governor’s committee. Through this meeting she invited him to speak to the DASH Board, which he did at the October meeting. Kaheya expressed concern in the functionality of the committee. She feels like there is little work being accomplished by the group. There was some discussion on how to increase functionality and it was suggested that Kaheya invite members of the Governor’s committee to attend a DASH Board meeting to see the types of work DASH is involved in. Housing Authority Pat announced that she has been re-appointed to the housing authority committee. In a recent housing authority survey it was found that 80% of the clients receiving Section 8 housing were not self-sufficient. Other announcements Pat attended the City Access Gala Celebration and reported that many people approached her thanking her for DASH’s work in making the new City Hall accessible. Pat also extended an invitation to anyone who would like to attend the emergency preparedness planning group for people with disabilities. The meetings have been taking place at the health department. Anyone interested should contact Pat. The Next Board meeting will be held Jan. 10, 2007 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. First Federal Savings and Loan Guest: Owen Fairbank Non-Motorized Committee DASH BOARD ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2006 January 2006 Public Access Committee tours new City Hall and finds it very accessible. The access committee has been involved with the City throughout the building process. Annod Bickley works with Key City Players who install a ramp to the stage so persons with a disability can audition and perform. Kaheya dines with Governor Gregoire at the Governor’s Mansion discussing funding of streets and sidewalks around the state. February 2006 Education Committee presents an educational event on disability awareness to the Presbyterian Youth Group in Quilcene with approx. 12 children ages 8-11 attending. Access committee works with Habitat for Humanity store to make it more accessible inside the store. March 2006: DASH becomes a non-profit corporation in the State of Washington. Kaheya and Leslie attend the independent living rally in Olympia. Many DASH Board members and city leaders attend ADA Training from the Northwest ADA Center. Kaheya gave a 1½ hour presentation about DASH to State Access Subcommittee. April 2006: The Assume-A-Disability Event takes place in downtown Port Townsend and at Fort Warden. Two Chimacum High School students were among the participants and three Port Townsend Students with the visual arts class took video of the various participants and venues and will make a CD of the Event. PT shorts broadcast its disability awareness performance on PTTV throughout the month of April. Poetic Justice Troupe performs “A Breath Away,” twice during Disability Awareness month. Thanks to the efforts of Annod, the Goodwill store will be receiving a new electric scooter for their store. Jefferson County passes its ADA Grievance Policy. May 2006 The DASH board approves articles of incorporation, bylaws and conflict of interest policy for the new DASH corporation. VSA Arts, ADA training held at Centrum with over 50 participants from around the state. Access Committee assesses Jefferson County Fairgrounds giving the Fair Board many tips on how to increase its accessibility. The Fair is anxious to do as much as they can within their budget constraints. Access Committee evaluates new Port Townsend Fire Department and finds it accessibility excellent. June 2006 The education committee makes a presentation at Grant Street School to a 1st grade class. Kaheya appointed Co-Chair of Civil and Legal Rights Sub-Committee of the Gov’s Committee. Public Access Committee works with city hall staff on placement of directional information signs throughout the annex. Lynn Gressley and Pat Teal elected President and Vice President of DASH Board. August 2006 Access Committee evaluates the re-modeled health department and environmental health offices, finding them very accessible. Access Committee evaluates Hamilton Heights Housing Development and its new sidewalks; finding it very satisfactory. The City of Port Townsend adopts and ADA grievance policy. The Education Committee makes a presentation to the YMCA Summer program. September 2006 Paradise Theater in Chimacum, with the helpful advice of the Arts Enrichment Committee, becomes completely accessible. Public Access committee surveys the new DSHS building, finding it very accessible. October 2006: Rory Calhoun, from the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for Washington makes a public presentation on accessible recreation in Washington State. November 2006: David Lord from the Washington Protection & Advocacy System gives a public presentation on a change in the States Definition on Disability.