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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 09/28/2000COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 2000 Members present: Susan Williams, Laura Burnett, Don Fish, Nancy Baker, Robert and Romola Fritz, Bob Palmer, Steve Seefeld, Steve Sutter (Mayor's Awards sub -committee member). Guests: Katie Kirkham, Cathy Robinson. The meeting was called to order at 12:20 p.m by Nancy Baker, Chairperson. Minutes were approved as submitted. It was decided that from now on the secretary will send out the minutes to all members via E- mail prior to the next meeting. She will also send the agenda for the coming meeting to the chairperson and the liaisons no later than the day before the meeting. Members who wish to add agenda items can do so at the beginning of the meeting. Steve Sutter gave an update on the assistive technology displays for the Mayor's Awards Brunch. He announced that there will be between 10 and 14 vendors, including Easter Seals, the Arthritis Foundation, the Center for Community Participation, Poudre Valley Hospital Occupational Health, Vocational Rehabilitation, Rand -Scot, Foothills Gateway, Disabled Resources Services, Wheelchair House, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and possibly the Life Skills Rehabilitation Center. There will also be information on the Transportation Department's planned information kiosk that is going to be installed in Old Town, as well as a display showing the COD'S video on residential visitability, from Atlanta. One of our guests, Katie Kirkham, generously offered us the use of her tv/vcr unit to show the video. Steve also reported that he and Alan Apt met with staff members of the Northern Colorado Business Report, the Fort Collins Colorado an and the Forum about publicity for the event. The Business Report had an article in its September 22 issue, and the Forum is planning one for it's October 5 issue. The Coloradoan may run an article. The Forum staff requested that the Commission extend the due date of the applications for awards until several days after their publication date. The Commission members decided that the current deadline (tomorrow, September 29) is as late as we should go since there is so much to be done in processing the applications and preparing the awards. It was suggested that perhaps next year we can contact the Forum sooner in the time line, to take advantage of their willingness to publicize the awards application process. The committee to screen the nominations will meet next Tuesday, October 3, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the conference room at the Facilities Department, 117 North Mason. Committee members include Susan Williams, Laura Burnett, Don Fish, David Marckres, Kathryn Johnson, Mark Beck, and Rob/Romola Fritz. Steve Seefeld announced that Mayor Martinez will be in attendance at the awards ceremony. Steve Sutter asked members for input regarding the desirability of getting radio publicity for the event. Members agreed it was a good idea, and suggested TV coverage as well. Several radio and television stations were mentioned as possible contacts, including TRI-102, K99, NPR stations KUNC and and Channel 9. Steve Seefeld informed the committee that because of a new city policy, we cannot put detailed information about the event on the city's web site. However, we can mention the event there and give directions as to how to go to an additional site where the information can be posted. A map of the set-up for the ev�..i' was distributed, and the members disi,-.sed the arrangements. The Holiday Inn has skirts available for the display tables. We will request that the dining tables be set with tableware ahead of time. Helpers will be available at the head of the line to assist as needed. Nancy asked Laura Burnett to tell David Marckres to notify the American Legion about the recipient of the Dorothy Lasley Award since that organization provides the award and makes the presentation. Since Nancy will be out of town and unable to be present, Laura will be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the event, just as she was last year. She will read the list of nominees for each award, and then hand the award to the mayor, who will make the presentation. She will then read a biography of each recipient. Laura will also introduce the guest speaker, who will be Bill Daugherty, General Manager of the Weston Westminster. Nancy will give Laura background information on Bill, who is an ardent supporter of hiring the disabled. Don Fish will get two or three people from Foothills Gateway to help unload and load supplies for the displays. They will be needed by 10 a.m. for setup and after 1 p.m. for tear down. The helpers will be invited to join us for the brunch. The services of a sign language interpreter will be sought. Laura suggested contacting Linda Varona at the DRS. The going rate of pay seems to be $35 plus travel time. If Linda cannot supply an interpreter, Susan Williams suggested contacting a counselor named Bitsy in Disabled Services at Front Range Community College for names of other possible interpreters. After a discussion about the expense of videotaping the event, it was suggested that we try to get it done for free since our funds are limited. A possible source could be students in a media class at one of the local high schools. Channel 9 could also be a possibility. Taping time should be from about 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. HOUSEKEEPING: Bob Palmer and Steve Seefeld reported on a new City Council policy on attendance of members of the various city commissions. Members will be excluded from membership upon three consecutive absences, or a total of four absences per calend6( year, from regularly scheduled meetings if there is no written notification to staff liaison or the commission chair. This policy differs slightly from the commission's own policy, which will need to be brought into alignment with that of the City Council A question was raised as to the status of the Employment Survey. Members recalled that Alan Apt has it and believe he is tallying it. Nancy Baker reported on the upcoming meetings for the rest of the calendar year: October 12: Laura will conduct the meeting since Nancy will be in cooking school in Italy. October 20: The Mayor's Awards Brunch October 26: Nancy invited Steve Sutter to join us again for that meeting so that we can give feedback on the Awards Brunch to facilitate next's year's planning. November 9: This will be the commission's annual retreat, where we will create our work plan for 2001 and develop points for our annual report to the City Council. This meeting will last from 12:15 to 3:30 p.m. December 14: This will be a regular meeting. December 28: This meeting may be canceled since attendance is usually very low due to the Christmas holidays. The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Romola Fritz, Secretary