Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

Dearborn Performing Arts Center, Wet Rooms 1 & 2
January 20, 2005, 6 PM

Commissioners & City Employees Present:
Cathy McAdam, Chair
Cheryl Kreger, Vice-Chair
Dale Swanson
Nancy Bower
Gary Filiak
Sonya Tishler
Kim Hetrick
Jane Nelson Thomas, excused
Claudia Damian, excused
Mona Ramouni, excused
Susan Fitzmaurice, ADA Coordinator
Jeff Oldenberg, Fire Inspector

Guests:
Christopher Thomas
Carl Noe

Call to Order: 6:08 PM
Roll Call
Agenda: no changes
Minutes: In Item 11 change Access committee to Education, and Swanosn to Kreger in contact information note. MOTION: I approve minutes as amended. Motion by Commissioner Swanson, seconded by Commissioner Bowers, unanimous vote of approval.

City of Dearborn Guest: Jeff Oldenberg
Inspector Oldenberg discussed his background and how he came to be interested in disability issues. He mentioned a safety panel with the Dearborn Schools he was going to be attending where he would make some inquiries about emergency procedures in place for students and employees with disabilities. He discussed how in newer buildings there were fire proof areas of buildings created to be safe havens, but he did not think any of these existed in Dearborn. He also discussed the city's emergency preparedness management coordinator Tom Harper and how his role overlapped that of the fire emergency management coordinator and how they worked closely regarding these issues.
Inspector Oldenberg brought a Knox box for the commissioners to view and discussed how they were used and how secure they were. He said keys were made available only to designated persons. Dearborn keys work only in Dearborn. Only fire personnel are given access to the keys via a tone that emanates from the fire truck that releases the latch to the Knox Box. The Knox box holds a house key inside it. The Knox box is placed on the residents door so that fire personnel can get into a burning house if no one is home or there is an incapacitated or disabled person inside. A new city ordinance would make it an offense if a person tampered with a Knox box. Knox boxes are provided to a resident on request at no cost, but they can pay for one if they choose. They cost $164.00.
Commissioner Hetrick mentioned he had one and how much it had helped him in a specific incident. One of our guests asked about their usability on second floor apartments- and the inspector said they could be used on any door. Commissioner Filiak asked why other emergency personnel did not have access to the keys, and the inspector did not know why, but said they could be met by fire personnel if they were ever needed.
There was a discussion of how the commission could help support their being additional Knox boxes available as the fire department is running out of them. Commission Chair McAdam asked if the commission decided to help purchase boxes could they be designated for people with disabilities only and he said yes- we could designate them for anyone we wished.
Inspector Oldernberg made some final comments on how he had been unable to find fire safety info in Braille and would continue to pursue that. He also encouraged everyone to have a smoke detector and keep fresh batteries inside as it was the most important fire safety act anyone could do.

ADA Report: Susan Fitzmaurice ( see attached for full report)
In addition to the report, it was reported that it is time to renew our chamber membership. There was a discussion of providing an insert into the chamber relocation packets. It was agreed that this would be a good way to let people who are new or are considering moving to Dearborn know we are here.
MOTION: I motion we spend $1.00 per insert for the Chamber of Commerce relocation packet and renew our membership. Made by Commissioner Swanson, seconded by Commissioner Hetrick, unanimous approval.
The parking lots were discussed, along with the changes that came about in part in thanks to Christian Mageli's pertinent information.
Information was provided regarding the Affordable Housing Conference as a good thing for commissioners to consider attending.
There was a discussion of pertinent legislation including the Visitability legislation before the Michigan House and Senate. Chair McAdam and Commissioner Tishler are going to write a letter of support to send to Mayor Guido to encourage his support of the legislation.

Chair Report: Cathy McAdam (see attached report)
There was an extensive discussion of the Michigan Avenue Project. It was reported that over 30 people were in attendance including SMART, MDOT, the construction company, engineers, the Mayor, and interested citizens. The Mayor was clear in his support that the bus stops be safe, compliant, and in the same number as before. There have been at least two articles in the newspapers regarding this meeting. An answer as to what changes were proposed by MDOT to meet the ADA was promised in two weeks time. It was decided we would have a special meeting in 3 weeks to try to force the issue to be addressed expeditiously. A special meeting was decided upon for February 10th at 2 PM, hopefully in the PAC, Wetroom 1 & 2. The ADA Coordinator will send invites to interested parties and get the room set-up.
Chair McAdam also encouraged us all to be thinking about who may want to become more involved in the commission. We all go through unexpected life changes and at any time we may need a new commissioner, and we always need active committee members.

Vice Chair Report: Cheryl Kreger
Vice-Chair Kreger discussed the Strategic Plan as a living breathing document. That should be revisited at least once each year. It should be published on our web page. Chair McAdam discussed the need for a header. It was decided further discussion on the Strategic Plan would take place later in the agenda.

Public Comments.
Both of our visitors introduced themselves more extensively. Christopher was very interested in our Public Awareness & Education committee from a mental health stand point. Carl came in hopes of getting information about low vision aids.

Disability Awareness Day : Dale Swanson
After a brief discussion where Chair McAdam detailed John Kemp's contribution to the disability community it was decided that a note would be sent asking him to finalize his decision about being our keynote by January 31st. Chair McAdam would do this.
A discussion of vendors brought up the issue of competing with the Novi Expo in August and the amount of time needed to dedicate to planning. It was also decided that two workshops might be better attended than six.
MOTION: I move that we raise funds to bring in a keynote speaker for DAD. Made by Commissioner Kreger, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, unanimous vote.

Outreach to Community: Cathy McAdam
Chair McAdam discussed what we should do in April when we have only a tentative meeting scheduled. This time was set aside for Town Hall, but she suggested we do a specific outreach/ social activity with the senior community or with other community organizations. Commissioner Hodak said she would discuss the idea with some of the senior organizations she is involved with and see what kind of activity they would be most likely to attend. The education committee was asked to explore ways to connect with other city commissions to see what they have done and ways we can share information.

Strategic Plan: Cheryl Kreger
Commissioner Kreger reiterated some of her earlier remarks. There was a discussion of dates and names and it was decided that these specific details would be removed from the plan to keep it more fluid. The committee names would be changed to Communications and Awards Committee, and Visitability and Housing Committee.
MOTION: I move that the Strategic Plan and Action Steps be adopted with the suggested changes and additions. Motion by Commissioner Kreger, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, unanimous vote.

BREAK

Committee Reports
Education Committee: Cheryl Kreger ( Report Enclosed)
In the discussion of the Town Hall Meeting was decided that the way the Town Hall meeting was done this past year was not as successful as we would have hoped after our success the first year. Having the Town Hall meeting at the same time as the vendors at DAD might be more productive. The Education Committee will look into changing the format at future meetings.

Communications & Awards: Dale Swanson (Report Enclosed)
The web page was discussed. It was decided that Doug Feldcamp would be asked about the possibility of the city maintaining the web site since the city site now seemed to be accessible. We would continue to maintain our own host and domain name.

Enews is to go out again in mid February. It will need an update from our ADA Coordinator.
Access Committee: Claudia Damian ( Report Enclosed)

Visitability Committee: Sonya Tishler
No meeting since last commission meeting.

Commissioner Reports
Gary Filiak discussed the city plowing snow into accessible parking spaces and how he resolved the problem.
Mary Hodak discussed her continuing involvement with senior issues.
ADA Coordinator Susan Fitzmaurice discussed the “disability concerns” re the new film Million Dollar Baby.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:32 PM