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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDisability Advisory Board - MINUTES - 06/16/20255/19/25– MINUTES Disability Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Monday, June 16, 2025 – 5:30 PM 300 Laporte Avenue and Microsoft Teams 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – Amber Kelley (Chair), Daisy Montgomery (Vice Chair), Scott Winnegrad, Anais Campbell, Cassidy Dellemonache, Matthew Cicanese, Amanda Morgan b. Board Members Absent – Linda Drees c. Staff Members Present – Jan Reece d. Guest(s) – Liri Saraes, Kevin Stearns, Cammy Cortes 3. AGENDA REVIEW Agenda amended to reflect that Guest speakers will move to the June 16, 2025, meeting. Kelley motioned to approve the Amended Agenda and Campbell second the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 21, 2025 Campbell made a motion to approve April 21, 2025, minutes as presented. Vice Chair Montgomery seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Disability Advisory Board Ceremony – October 20, 2025 • Lincoln Center $800 • Starry Night $300 • Jimmy Johns and veggie trays $400 • Estimated Cost: $2,000 Chair Kelley noted the Lincoln Center was determined to be the most accessible location, and the rental cost is $800 which includes beverages, tables, and linens for the estimated 80 invites. Morgan commented on the 5/19/25– MINUTES valuable accessibility aspects of the Lincoln Center. Cicanese suggested the development of an accessibility checklist for future events. Cicanese motioned for approval and Morgan 2nd the Motion. Motion approved unanimously to use the Lincoln Center for the October 20, 2025, Ceremony from 5:30-8:30 PM. It was noted the event is invite only based on a list of previous events attendees and there is room for other invitees. Reece stated the list has been emailed to members and she will add any additional guests per suggestions from members. Chair Kelley read the three award category descriptions and criteria. • Dorothy Lasley Award • Education/Trainer Award • Organization/Team Award Members discussed how nominations are sought, including via the City’s website. Chair Kelley stated each award is etched on an acrylic award and cost approximately $125 each. Cicanese made a motion to approve the award categories Morgan seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Chair Kelley stated the cost for a dessert bar from Starry Night would be approximately $300 for about 100 desserts. Additionally, she stated there was an idea to also provide some small sandwiches and veggie trays from Jimmy John’s for a total food cost of $600-$800. It was estimated that the total event cost would be around $2,000. Morgan made a motion to approve the event cost which includes the awards, dessert bar, coffee, mini sandwiches, tea, Lincoln Center rental, napkins, plates, and projector. Winnegrad seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Members discussed showing films at the event and various kudos that will be offered. 7. OTHER BUSINESS a. Jan Reece Report • Autistic Joy Event • Armed Forces Day • Meeting with Larimer County Chair Kelley discussed her thoughts for committees on the Board, including the Executive Committee, which consists of herself and Vice Chair 5/19/25– MINUTES Montgomery. She stated the Community Recognition Committee consists of herself and Drees. The Education and Outreach Committee would develop educational programs related to issues affecting individuals with disabilities and the Government Relations Committee would monitor City Council activity, review legislation, and establish lines of communication with community leaders and partners. The Accessibility Committee would meet with ADA coordinators to hear about citizen concerns. The Public Awareness Committee would create public awareness of the DAB and its role in the community and invite organizations and individuals to meetings to discuss their role in the community. Members discussed their interest in participating in various committees as follows: • Executive Committee: Chair Kelley and Vice Chair Montgomery • Community Recognition Committee: Chair Kelley and Drees • Education and Outreach Committee: Dellemonache and Campbell • Government Relations Committee: Drees and Cicanese • Accessibility Committee: Morgan and Cicanese • Public Awareness Committee: Winnegrad and Montgomery Morgan made a motion to accept the Committee assignments as stated. Winnegrad seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Reece noted the speakers were cancelled as the slides were not placed in the agenda packet due to an electricity outage. She noted she will be at an ADA conference during the June meeting and Claudia will be taking her place. Reece stated the Autistic Joy event went over budget by only about $8 and was a very successful event. She specifically commended Vice Chair Montgomery’s talk and noted there were more adults present than anticipated. Reece stated there were approximately 35 individuals in attendance at the Armed Forces Day event, which was also very successful. She noted the event is part of the Employee Resource Group for veterans or their family members. She noted the travelling Vietnam Memorial Wall will be in Fort Collins Thursday and stated Loveland provides a free breakfast for veterans every Saturday at Golden Corral, which had 190 people in attendance last week. Members discussed SSI and the Medicaid buy-in program related to employment for people with disabilities. Members also discussed the role of the Board in terms of advocacy and connecting with City Council to help ensure the disabled community has support in the city. Winnegrad suggested seeking speakers from Disability Resource Services and Foothills Gateway to discuss some of these issues. Vice Chair Montgomery discussed concerns with potential federal attempts to roll back the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also noted there is a lawsuit 5/19/25– MINUTES in place to remove the Rehabilitation Act, which is the cornerstone of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, she expressed concern about health care being taken from seniors and children and the elimination of the Department of Education. Chair Kelley commented on the DAB providing educational events to the community regarding lived experiences for people with disabilities. Dellemonache asked if DAB could potentially host an education series for the community regarding disability services and budget concerns. Cicanese suggested utilizing awareness months such as Disability Pride Month to help plan events. Winnegrad commented on having a panel discussion or public forum with other Boards and Commissions regarding understanding and navigating policy changes. Dellemonache commented on the importance of the City helping to fill in gaps and support the community when there may not be state or federal level securities that have existed historically, if changes are made. Morgan asked if the DAB could meet with senators. Cicanese suggested that could potentially be done through a position paper as part of the work of the Government Relations Committee. Reece stated she would get some clarification from Davina in the City Clerk’s Office as to political awareness and public awareness. Kelley read the DAB responsibilities as listed on City website and reiterated that we are a non- political Board and support all. Winnegrad suggested a formal acknowledgement of past DAB member and his time on the Board at the next meeting. Cortes offered thanks to the Board from Disabled Resource Services for continuously supporting and mentioning the organization. She noted the organization has consolidated its Fort Collins and Loveland offices into one location near McKee Hospital. Cicanese suggested possibly elevating the July meeting regarding Disability Pride Month. Reece suggested submitting a proclamation for City Council. 8. ADJOURNMENT a. 7:29 PM Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board on June 16, 2025 Signature: