Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns
Minutes September 21, 2006 - 6-9 PM

Commissioners Present:
Cathy McAdam
Cheryl Kreger, excused
Dale Swanson
Nancy Bower
Sonya Tishler
Mona Ramouni
Gary Filiak
Mary Hodak, excuse
Bill Tennant, excused
John McFarlin, excused
Susan Fitzmaurice

Guests:
Sharlemae Smith
Kathie Moore, St. Clements Church

Call to Order: 6:04PM
Roll Call.
Approval of July Minutes. Unanimous

Workshop Update:
9:30-10:30 Dance ability participant workshop for 20 students. Hoping to get high school students.

1:30-2 Emergency Preparedness Lt Smith will present

DAD Update: Commissioner Swanson has flyer to distribute to the group. Has received 2,900 dollars in the bank. 2,790 stated on the bank statement. 1,800 dollars and 75% guaranteed to come in. Total of 5000.00 and 6500.00 is guarantee. STEP has not paid but good for it. Group doing fine money wise.
Decided to use deli tray for this event too much food last time. Keep vendors 45 tables or less. There are 36 tables filled and 10 available.
Commissioner Swanson will talk to Susan about other groups that we need to do out reach to. Commissioner McAdam will try to establish a list. Susan said we have no one representing mental health or brain injury. Commissioner McAdam will try to get some mental health associations in.
Nan Asher's group came before, Susan will call. Commissioner McAdam will contact Liz from SHHH and anyone can think of someone else please call them. Oakwood Hospital is participating after 4 years with much thanks to Cyndi Parrelly and Linda Swagler.
VSA (formerly Very Special Arts) – Commissioner Filiak has a new contact and will follow-up.
Ford Group has a meet and greet 1-2:30 for their own employees.

To Do:
Mary has 6 volunteers from women's group.
Cindy set up some Henry Ford Community College last year.
Mary and Cathy will do the orientation.
Interpreters confirmed.
Cheryl down for signage
Dale contact Cindy for HFCC volunteers
Additional disability parking (Gary)
Room set up plans are complete per Dale
Introduction line-up: Cathy will decide
Commissioner Swanson will follow up on Award Ceremony. He says we have one business and 4 Educators. Ads and emails were sent out .

Future Awards Program:
Susan suggests we investigate on our own and make a decision.
Commissioner Swanson wants to turn over to the commission.
Commissioner McAdam not comfortable with that.
Susan suggest we do some of both.
Next year will be decided later, Commissioner Swanson stated we will do it this year. Committee will have to do something different this year. Commissioner Hodak had mentioned a candidate. No information about nominator just nominee. We didn't ask that information on the form.
If we are canceling the awards we need to make a decision. Kelly Featherstone to get a award. Award it at the reception?

Motion: For this year, we will eliminate the awards ceremony because of lack of participation and will give some at the beginning of the reception at 4:00pm.
Offered by Commissioner Swanson, Seconded by Commissioner Bower.
All in favor of the motion.

Access Committee: Commissioner Tishler
Did not get to visit all the polling sites planned to. Commissioners Filiak and McFarlin did do their sites. The results of those two shows we have a lot to do. Asking Susan to get letters out to city clerk, schools and superintendent. Commissioner McAdam will forward to Susan. Hoping we will get to make changes before November. The Access Committee did meet. Suggested by Commissioner McAdam that when reports are done we sit down and get feedback on this year and last years and be clear we are looking at the right spots.
Commissioner McFarlin is available to do it again and more as needed. Susan and Commissioner McAdam and Commissioner Tishler can meet by phone about sites.
Commissioner Tishler feels we have so much work to be done and stress the importance of the committee and voting. In the November election Commissioner McAdam will stay there all day until she votes if she has to (using the new voting machine, and insuring that it prints.) We will make it work.
Commissioner Filiak stated that there was one machine that didn't work at all
1 in 130 machines didn't work at all according to the Secretary of the State.
Commissioner Swanson had a problem with his voting machine printing.
On Tuesday September 19, Commissioner McAdam was the MC for a voting forum set up by Susan in her WC CIL role to “get out the disability vote”.
Commissioners suggested that poll worker training be extended with time to play with the machines. Maybe have pizza. Try for 12:00 noon. Commented that only people going to come will be the people paying the most attention. Have laminated hint cards available.
Access Committee will meet again to do some trouble shooting.

Dialysis:
Commissioner McAdam responded to newspaper letter and letters to city regarding DaVita Dialysis Center and paid city parking. Commissioner Tishler went to clinic to discuss situation with clinic manager. ADA Coordinator made various calls to state and federal officials. The Dialysis center said they couldn't use tokens or pay for parking as it was illegal. Chair McAdam stated not true according to the state of Michigan. The city had noted that more people in the vicinity of the Dialysis Center were using yellow stickers (so that they do not have to pay for parking.) Chair McAdam noted we need to be sure the Dialysis Clinic is being proactive about letting people know about yellow stickers. If you sign up for bus with Smart (in stead of paid parking) it will cost $3.00 each way. There are not exceptions according to SMART ADA.

Public Comment:
From visitor, Kathie Moore looked at web site last night and decided to come to meeting. She was involved in Arabic fellowship and providing special help to people with disabilities. Chair McAdam introduced her to Commissioner Ramouni and the work she does with the Commission. Susan will mail her the flier about Arabic services we offer.

DAD:
Commissioner Ramouni will call ACCESS to see if they can come. Commissioner Tishler will be out of town. Commissioner Ramouni & Filiak and Marcia Letjuen will be there all day.
Commissioner Swanson's term ends in 2008 and he need someone to shadow him in 2007.

Elections:
Commissioner McAdam says Commissioner Tennant will be running late and not interested in running for an office. Vice Chair Kreger will run for vice chair if no one else is interested.
Cathy McAdam nominated for Chair, no one else. Commissioner Swanson nominated, Commissioner Ramouni seconded. Unanimous vote.
Cheryl Kreger nominated for Vice Chair, no one else. Commissioner Bower nominated, Commissioner Tishler seconded. Unanimous vote.
Vice Chair/Chair reported by Cathy McAdam:
Commissioner McAdam discusses the need to continue to develop leadership within the commission. To that end she suggested a leadership workshop in April. It is Important to move forward with the work of the commission and to do that there needs to be new leadership energy. Chair McAdam says she will continue to serve as chair for one more year two year at most.
Commissioner Filiak will serve on the executive committee.
Chair McAdam will look at committees and tell of any changes in November.

Other Committee Issues: None

ADA Report/ Susan:
Construction Projects.
Michigan Avenue has just final touches to be done. Ford and Warren roads are continuing along. Southfield construction complete, but still some work to be done on sidewalks at the final approach/ corners. There are still some accessible aspects to be worked through. City Hall work on garage and pathways complete. Audible pedestrian signals are being installed as the construction area surrounding them is complete.
Commissioner Appointment:
Received 18 telephone/email inquiries about becoming commissioners. 6 applications received.
Dialysis Clinic:
After many, many phone calls to State and Federal contacts, ADA Coordinator was finally able to connect with Richard Benson, Chief of Specialized Health Services at the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) who is the person who determines if dialysis clinics are meeting their obligations under the law. He was clear in stating that a dialysis clinic can in fact pay for patient parking. This essentially resolves any problems we have had with dialysis patients being disproportionately harmed by the new meters.
Parking:
Michelle DaRos, community & economic development mentioned another problem with the lot near Dialysis clinic. There is a meter that has yet to arrive (as it is a different style) that serves 4 parking spaces. So currently these four spaces have no meters and are free parking. The ADA Coordinator came up with the idea to make these 4 spots yellow stickered parking only. That way the city can make the sign and cancel the order for the meter that has been problematic to the city. These are not accessible spots, so they will just be able to be used by people who have yellow stickers and do not need extra room. The lot will still have the required number of fully accessible parking spots. The ADA Coordinator also suggested that Dearborn may want to adopt the rule Ann Arbor and Birmingham among other local cities have of adopting a free disabled parking rule. (Evidently the city would like to eliminate meters whenever prudent to do so.)
---Commissioners McAdam & Swanson says you can't enforce the yellow sticker space. Susan can persue idea. Commissioner McAdam wants to put the yellow sticker information on web site.
The parking garage near the former Jacobson's has been somewhat problematic. The elevators have been out of service, and then some accessible parking is unusable. ADA Coordinator has asked that the parking spots be signed so that a person parking in accessible spot knows that the elevator is not working before they exit the car. The parking garage management has put up the signs, but vandals remove them. This is one reason why it makes little sense to put accessible parking on upper floors. The other problem is that there is only 1 of the 3 planned ground floor accessible parking spots in place. The level of the ground where the 2 spots were to go was considered to have an unacceptable slope. So instead of correcting the slope, they didn't put in the spaces. This will change, but exactly how is still being discussed.
There may be new parking in the front of the Performing Arts Center on the circular drive. The police and recreation center are in agreement, it is just to be determined exactly where it can be placed to maintain the fire code. The parking would be along the outer ring so that a fire truck would still pull in closest to the building. Dale expressed concern regarding safety in exiting in the line of traffic. Discussed the problem of illegal parking in designated parking spots with police chief. He is considering how citizens can report illegal parkers. We discussed someone taking a photograph of an illegally parked car which would be given to police and the car owner would receive a ticket based on the photograph and the citizen eye witness. This is being done in other cities and he is very open to the idea. Wheelchair at Recreation Center.
------McAdam noted, this is an idea that was discussed by past chair Mageli as early as 2000 and is being reinvestigated.)
The wheelchair at the recreation center:
It is too often being left stranded in the center – location unknown. Eric Peterson has been contacted and been asked to put in place a procedure so that where it is is known.
Voting:
The city clerk's office has received information in conflict with the information the ADA Coordinator was told. The ADA Coordinator was told our requests for HAVA funds was fully approved, but the city clerk was told differently. The ADA Coordinator is trying to get the HAVA funds promised for Dearborn actually released.
TTYs/ Telephones:
All the city telephones and TTYs are on a new service. This will hopefully resolve some of the problems of the past. But this does mean that all the TTYs need to be reset for autoanswer. Everyone who needs to do this, should know how as most (11) of the primary users of TTYs were given retraining on how to use the TTYs in August. I plan to walk people through this via phone next week. The new phone number you will see on caller id for all city of Dearborn calls will be 313-943-2000 - the switchboard. This is good because previously the number displayed was random, and if a person wanted to call you back based on caller id info it could be any place in the city.
Graffiti:
The city has taken a very hard line toward graffiti and ask that city employees and citizens report any seen so that the city take care of it.
Awards:
Cathy, Nancy, Dale, and the ADA Coordinator went to Lansing to accept the Accessible City Award. Susan did formal acceptance on behalf of the Mayor.
Marketing:
Additional bookmark pens were ordered and distributed beginning at homecoming. We need to order a new banner to replace the one lost at homecoming. The wording needs to be senior friendly and to others for who disability may not be a word they identify with. To do: what words? Cathy gave decision to education committee.
Conferences:
The ADA Coordinator attended a Lansing Disability Town Hall Meeting. They had a brief brainstorming session and then break-out sessions for each topic identified. This seemed to work very well. She also attended a Emergency Responders and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community: Taking the First Step to Emergency Preparedness training provided the US Dept of Homeland Security. She organized the Wayne County Regional Voting forum. It was not well attended, but those that did attend got to hear some great motivating speakers and it will hopefully motivate some more activity.
Film Festival It will take place in Studio A on October 28th. 1-11PM

Education Committee:
Commissioner McAdam: Education Committee will look at providing in services for the city for next year /to do list for November. ADA Coordinator mention that both Fire and Police Chief would welcome inservices again.

Commission Reports
Gary Filiak:
Homecoming had good participation. Parking seemed to go well . There was no TTY - new police chief did not seem to be aware there should be one. We need a check list of things we need to act on each year.
There was a dance and movement presentation here at the Recreation Center by the people who take the Dearborn Specials classes. It was great and well received .
New pole installed in front of recreation center - it says peace be on earth in 4 different languages. He wants something in braille and is going to look into it.
He followed up on several parking issues at the parking structures and the schools. ADA Coordinator will follow up on the problems he encountered at the parking structure.
Motion: To adjourn Commissioner Swanson
Next Meeting November 16th 3:00 PM


COMMUNICATION & AWARD REPORT:
Pathway to Possibilities Timeline:
Vendor Fair – 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM Dome Room
Athletes with Disabilities Hall Fame
Sports Exhibits and Demonstrations – 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM Dome
DanceAbility Workshop – 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM Studio A
Speaker – Cheryl Angelelli – 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM Theatre
Speaker – Nadine Vogel – 12:00 Noon Theatre
Ford Employees Dealing with DisAbilities – 1:00 PM Studio A
Emergency Preparedness Workshop – 1:00 PM Fitness/Wellness
Awards Presentation – 4:00 PM Theatre
Reception – 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM Studio A
Breakfast Snacks
Cyndi and Sandy will be in charge of getting donations
Reception
Shield’s will be providing a Deli Tray and Open Bar
Awards – We need to discuss as a Commission
No Nominations to date
We did have a request for a special award for Kelly Featherton
Room set up plans complete.
Vendor Set-Up Letters will go out week of October 2nd.