DASH Project Board Meeting Notes

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Present: Pat Teal, Julie Duke, Kaheya Cunningham, Sue Ammeter, Lynn Gressley, Guests George Randells, Bonnie Bolster, Brad Offutt

Minutes of the November 13 Board meeting were approved.

Committee Report

Public Access

Bonnie Bolster reported that she has not received any final decision on her ABA and Title 504 complaints regarding the Post Office. She said that she still awaits word from Congressman Norm Dix’s office as to what help they can provide. Post Office officials are making noises about possibly selling the current building in favor of a new facility. George Randells agreed with Bonnie that she should try to meet with the City Historic Preservation Committee and if possible include Allison Brooks of the State Historic Landmarks Office. The idea is that if these two entities can agree that making ;the current building accessible, more pressure can be brought to bear on the USPS.

Sue stated that she would promptly get the latest spreadsheet of the Points of Refuge in Jefferson County from her contact in the County’s Emergency Management Agency so that the Public Access Committee can begin evaluations of the facilities.

Pat reminded us that Little and Little Construction has an example of rubber sidewalk material which may or may not be considered for installation in Port Townsend. Public Access will set out to examine this material for its friendliness to people with mobility concerns.

Treasury/Fundraising

Julie reported that the organization has a current fund balance of $1,487.70.

This figure includes the recent acquisition of $1,000 from the Norcliffe Foundation.

Other Business

The Board discussed our continued membership in the Chamber of Commerce. Given the fact that our funds are limited, the Board voted to not expend the close to $400 for Chamber membership. During early 2008, we will authorize funds for Disability Awareness Month messages on the Reader Board at the Visitors Center.

The sixth annual Disability for a Day Event will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 and the planning committee has been reconstituted and is meeting on a regular basis.

Outside Committee Work

Lynn reported that the Emergency Preparation for People with Disabilities Committee, a joint working group of County departments and community organizations and individuals, has completed the emergency preparation curriculum which will be presented in several sessions some time in 2008. Another goal is to find funding to purchase Go Bags for distribution to participants after they complete the training.

The next Outreach Conference of the governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment will be held in Port Townsend on February 7 and 8. Furthur information will be posted as the date approaches. Kaheya reported through the auspices of the Governor’s Committee she made a presentation about Dash’s activities and methods to an Outreach Conference in Wallawalla and a similar presentation in Burien. She said that both presentations were well received.

Pat said that the Voting Access for people with disabilities Committee will again air its voting access roundtable discussion on PTTV several times in 2008. Other methods for publicizing the availability of the accessible voting machine are being explored. George Randells suggested that perhaps collaboration with other Counties to produce public service announcements region wide could be explored.

Next meeting Tuesday, January 8, 2008 Noon to 2:00p.m.