PORTLAND CITIZENS DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

1221 SW 4th Ave., Portland, OR 97204

 

Meeting Minutes October 8, 2007

 

The Portland Citizens Disability Advisory Committee meeting was held on October 8, 2007 at Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave., Portland, OR 97204 in the Rose Room.

 

Members Present: Jan Campbell, Mike Levine, David Halseth, Joan Hansen, Trish Baker, Nancy Hesselman, Hank Bennett, Anne O’malley, Martha Simpson, Beth Omansky (by phone), and Steve Weiss.

 

Excused Members: Mike Delman and Ann Balzell

 

Unexcused Members: Lynn Calloway

 

Guests: Michael Malinowski (Associate Member Applicant) and Laura Kasparian with Oregon Volunteers

 

Staff: Nickole Cheron and Jaclyn Richards

 

Agenda:  Michael added Downtown Public Safety Action Committee report to agenda. Agenda

 approved with addition.

 

August

Minutes:  Amendment to Tram Issue noted under “Complaint” in August minutes. Joan

will send out compete notes on the issue to committee members. Approved with one  abstention.

 

Public

Comment:  Martha brought up phone call from Friendly House regarding potential lower bus pass legislation to lower bus pass costs based on income. A meeting will be held on Oct 17 at 9AM meeting 503 224-2640.

 

Old

Business:  Portland Online discussion on accessibility. Beth Omansky take the lead on this and will work with Jan and Michael Levine to assist the city with resolution to these issues. Mr. Malinowski indicated he knew a technical person (Tim Denny) who knows the web standards for accessible issues and could assist. He will supply that information to Beth.

 

 Discussion on new members and associate members for committee. David and Jan will complete the project and report back to full committee next month.

 

Committee

Reports:  Transportation – Two Roll & Strolls were held and were excellent. Two commissioners (Sam and Dan) attended and Michael gave special tribute to the MS Society for their contribution to the success of the event. Ongoing meetings and discussion are ongoing with PDOT and other officials to fulfill accessibility expectations of the city.

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 Jan brought up the “dumpster issue”. Currently dumpsters are found in the right of way at many city locations and block pedestrian travel. There are meetings ongoing to address and rectify this problem. The city promises to enforce the ordinances that cover this. Finances have been an issue that has hindered enforcement.

 

  Housing - Steve noted that we have not received any response from the State of Oregon from our letter regarding the LIHEAP program. Steve has met with congressional representatives regarding the issue and the “flat funding” that has been the norm. The PCDAC will be advocating for increased funding at the federal and state level.

 

 SEVRA (Section 8 Voucher Reform Act) is being monitored by the subcommittee and we will report any new information coming out of congress. It was noted that 27% of head of households, of the 2 million vouchers given out are disabled people.

 

 HAP is selling many of their single family dwellings. It is hoped that current tenants will not be displaced from this action. The subcommittee will address this issue with the proper authorities.

 

 County budget for supportive housing services has a potential shortfall. It is hoped that ways will be found to continue support this vital area of support for people with disabilities.

 

 We are keeping track of the mobile home park legislation recently passed and will report any pertinent information to the committee as it relates to disability issues.

 

 The 504 Disability Advisory Board will be doing an inspection at Humboldt Gardens. Steve would like the committee to be involved.

 

 David reported that the Fair Housing Council has been doing site inspections at over 100 locations within the city and making recommendation to owners and architects on accessibility concerns.

 

 Education: Nancy reported that they have been preparing an outline of the presentation for the city/county disability conference in November. Drawing on similar training from past experiences and adding new areas of interest the committee is very excited about our role in the education process.

 

 Jan reported speaking to Ted at the Oregon Advocacy Center and they will put everything on video. A panel will be formed to discuss employment environment parameters for people with disabilities.

 

 Communications and Outreach – Have been working exclusively on the first annual Awards Luncheon on October 24, 2007. Hundreds of hours of effort have gone into all of the details that will make this a wonderful “first of its kind” event in Portland. Currently 47 RSVP’s, so some additional effort is going into getting additional participants names of people involved with the disability community.

 

 Mr. Ollie Cantos will be in town from DC and there is a meeting set up to address key leaders in the disability community at the Oregon Advocacy Center at 3:30 on the 23rd. Please plan on attending to find out the current things going on at the federal level.

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 Mr. Cantos will be addressing City Council on the 24th to discuss employment issues surrounding people with disabilities. In addition Jan will be presenting and reading a resolution for the city to adopt from the UN Convention on People with Disabilities that was drafted by the PCDAC Committee. Please plan on being there if at all possible.

 

 Anne reported that Key Bank will be presenting a check to DBA (Disabled Chamber of Commerce) on October 25. Nickole will be speaking for the PCDAC. The Governor will be there with other dignitaries.

   

New

Business:  Lynn Calloway has not attended several full committee meetings and has not requested excused absences. David was asked to write a letter to Ms. Calloway to ascertain her future involvement with the committee.

 

 Budget coming up and Ann Balzell will be representing the PCDAC. Brian Hoop with ONI will be addressing the Executive Committee on the process of submitting a budget request. Please send any ideas or requests for money to Jan or Michael ASAP. We have a tremendous roll to play within the city’s commitment to ADA and disability community at large and will be asking for a financial commitment from the city to facilitate these goals. Our work with PDOT, BHCD and other city bureaus will require more resources if we are to make the appropriate impact for the city.

 

 Jan briefly discussed the need for more participation from the entire committee. All members were asked to step up and take on additional responsibilities.

 

 Michael reported on the new Downtown Public Safety Action Committee. The first meeting was held October 8, 2007 to discuss the merits of being aware of your surroundings. The “Drug Free” zones are no longer in effect and while Portland is a very safe community, citizens need to be diligent and report any suspicious activity.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 3:38 PM

 

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