PORTLAND CITIZENS DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1221 SW 4th Ave., Portland, OR 97204
Full PCDAC Meeting
Meeting Minutes 03/13/07
The Portland Citizens Disability Advisory Committee Meeting was held on March 13, 2007, at Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, in the Lovejoy Room.
Committee Members present:
Trish Baker, Ann Balzell, Hank Bennett, Jan Campbell, Nickole Cheron, Lynne Calloway, David Halseth, Joan Hansen, Nancy Hesselman, Michael Levine, Beth Omansky, Martha Simpson and Steve Weiss
Committee Members half time meeting:
Mike Delmar
Public Comment: No public comment
Committee Members excused absence:
Trish Baker, Roxie Choroser and Anne OMalley
Committee Chair Jan Campbell called meeting to order at 1:45 PM.
Discussion Item:
February 13, 2007 meeting minutes approved.
Public Present:
Emily Rice and Tracy Lehto, BTS
James, with Rye Connections
BTS Business of Technical Support (BTS) presented a demonstration on the City of Portland’s website BLOG. It was determined that the necessary adaptable technology was not present to allow all present to participate. The committee came to an agreement to cancel the presentation. BTS discussed a possible email that would walk the user step by step through the website as a Word document. Jan thought that that was a good idea and that if others had problems, they could contact Nickole for help. The committee came to agree that any presentation needed prior advanced notice so that the full committee will be able to participate. Emily mentioned to the committee that the Portland Online website was tested and approved by the Oregon Commission for the Blind. Steve asked BTS what tests the Oregon Commission for the Blind ran on the website. Emily with BTS did not know. Steve Weiss suggested running the Portland Online website with Accessibility BOBBY. Michael volunteered to check the website and report on the outcome at the next meeting. Beth mentioned to the BTS staff that her reader, and others like hers does not read PDF files. Emily thanks Beth for that comment because they are unaware of that being a problem. It was also brought up that Excel is hard for the readers to pick up on the computers as well.
Action Item Tri Met letter finalized and approved by chair. Motion to move forward was opposed with extension by Nancy for the reason that she had not yet read the letter yet.
Bicycle
Pedestrian
Committee Michael suggested that he would like to attend to represent PCDAC at the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee. All BPC meetings are every few months. A decision was not reach as to if he would be attening. This will be discussed at the executive meeting next month.
Accessibility
Renters
Steve Weiss spoke about an opportunity for a committee member to represent the PCDAC relating to housing accessibility. David Halseth volunteered and the committee motioned to move forward with that decision. The meeting dates and times are not yet confirmed. The schedule will be set at the first meeting held, Wednesday March 21st. David Halseth will report to the full committee about the meetings.
Jan asked if it is in regards to assess ability with government funding? Nickole mentioned that the meetings do not just include only looking at the Government, but all around.
Steve read a letter from Beth K. regarding the committee for assessable housing. Her letter stated that in general they will identify public funding, accessible features, number of accessible features and understand the requirements needs to make the units that are not accessible, made accessible.
Jan spoke of a book by a friend of hers that includes a ruler for more accurate measurements; she will collect this information and continue with her findings at the next full committee meeting.
Business Cards Jan asked that the business cards be generic. Steve received cards from another organization that modeled cards after the Elders in Action organization. The cards listed logo and lines in the middle of the card to write name, or add sticker. The committee is uncertain at this time what the card should look like. Beth asked the committee to have Braille added to her cards. Jan seconded that motion. Jan asked that there be some sort of criteria regarding the business cards. Beth mentioned possibly buying an embosser to engrave the cards. Nickole suggested also taking advantage and adding the website and an email address. It was motioned that the Executive committees design the cards and present the final draft at the next full committee meeting. David offered to pay for the expense of the business cards. Will be discussed at the Executive meeting next month.
Joan Discussed Margaret Drew video. Passed out recorded copies of the Council meeting from March 7th.
Listserve Committee voted to discontinue listserve as of April 1st 2007
Michael Will draft a document to bring up to the executive committee regarding the policy and procedures for outside committee concerns representative as well as other committee processes.
Jan Policy and procedures need to be put together to identify the differences between associate members. Needing criteria. Must give report to full committee.
Recognition Nickole brought up the fact that this event was purposed to the mayor at the initial founding of the PCDAC, and that the mayor is in support of this event.
Nickole would like to have this event take place in the fall of 2007. Ideally corporate sponsored, comparable to the Spirit of Portland. Recognizing groups/served, or ran by persons with disabilities. Potential name for this event, Hazel Hall, after the poet from Portland who is disabled. Ad hock committee needs to be formed. David, Anne and Michael volunteered.
Housing AHI Housing Inventory, David Halseth will be on the subcommittee for the housing committee. He will report to the full committees with work group priorities-landlord, copy visibility ordinances / State Laws. Draft policy recommendation bill going up in front of the legislation regarding land lords manufactured homes, April 2007. 80? Of residents in manufactured homes as retired and elderly. ½ of the retired persons social security goes to rent @ Arbor Homes.
Transportation
Michael received dates regarding the curb ramps. Don Gardner will present a list to the Transportation Subcommittee later on this month. Transition Plan in Auditors office is expired, planning to call attorney.
Quested were raised with the full committee about how to keep this in compliance. Michael mentioned that at this time there are no injuries as he is aware of, yet. This is a serious problem that needs to be taken care of before anyone does get hurt. It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when, if the problems do not get handled. Michael has filed a formal complaint approximately two weeks ago, and nothing is being done. Beth suggested that tackle warning must be required. Michael agreed and suggested that it be yellow when constructing the new buss mall as well as MAX.
Community How are community complaints taken care of?
Complaints
Anne and Beth will review community letters. The communications will then be forwarded on the Communications and Outreach subcommittee for a response. Full committee voted and seconded that motion.
Meeting adjourned at 3:50 PM.