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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 22 2024 Minutes Deanna S. Sako Managing Director Mitchell D. Roth Mayor Robert H. Command Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2024 MINUTES 1. Call to Order The meeting of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities was called to order at 12:03 P.M. in the Hawai’i County Building, Council Chambers and via Zoom, Hilo, Hawai’i 96720, by Vice-Chairperson Christen Zulli. 2. Roll Call, Quorum Committee members present: Christen Zulli, Vice-Chairperson Sandra Schuffler, Secretary/Treasurer ReBecca Bennett, Committee Member Committee members attending by Zoom: Robert Efford, Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff, Committee Member Julia Althoff, Committee Member Committee members excused: Michelle Hiraishi, Chairperson Tiffany Dela Cruz, Committee Member Hawaii County staff present: William Horace Farr, Executive on Aging Meredith Catalini, Office of Aging Lori Enomoto, Office of Aging Roll call conducted; Committee members acknowledged by Vice-Chair Christen Zulli. A quorum was present. County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. DRAFT MINUTES – Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Page 2 Friday, November 22, 2024 3. Approval of the October 18, 2024, Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Meeting Minutes Motion made by Committee Member Julia Althoff to approve the October 18, 2024, meeting minutes as written. Committee Member ReBecca Bennett seconded the motion. No discussion. 6 votes Aye, 0 votes No. 4. Public Testimony on Agenda Items No public testimony 5. Annual Report to the Mayor; Finalization and Approval Committee member Zahava Zaidoff made a motion to approve the Annual Report to the Mayor, and to open it up for discussion. Committee member Julia Althoff seconded the motion. Committee member Julia Althoff asked the Committee if the section of the report under Progress and Accomplishments where it states, Communication Card Project: Support for the Communication Card Project has been secured, with funding pledged by Councilmembers Jenn Kagiwada and Sue Lee Loy, should be taken out of the report. Committee member Zahava Zaidoff made a motion to amend the report to remove under Progress and Accomplishments, the piece about the communication card. Committee member ReBecca Bennett seconded the motion. No discussion. Motion carries. Vice-Chair Christen Zulli explained that any changes to the annual report will be made prior to sending it to the Mayor, or the change will be included in the cover letter to the Mayor. Motion made by Committee member ReBecca Bennett to approve the Mayor’s report as amended. Committee member Zahava Zaidoff seconded the motion. 6 votes Aye and 0 votes No. 6. Committee Wrap-Up: Overview of Committee’s Efforts During Mayor’s Term Vice-Chair Christen Zulli spoke about the overview of the Committee’s efforts during the Mayor’s term to include the revision of the MCPD bylaws, remote accessibility for the MCPD meetings with Zoom translation, having a MCPD meeting in Kona, and under our emergency preparedness, Mayor Mitch Roth had asked the Hawaii County Civil Defense to participate in a statewide effort to update the 2009 Interagency Action Plan for the emergency preparedness of the people with disabilities and special health needs. Vice-Chair Christen Zulli explained that we have also included under the MCPD accomplishments, our outreach to community organizations and our UH students by coordinating with UH Hilo and other community organizations to promote awareness of the Committee, and to foster interest among people with lived experience of disability. County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. DRAFT MINUTES – Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Page 3 Friday, November 22, 2024 Committee member Zahava Zaidoff expressed that the MCPD did good with highlighting public testimony from community members to make sure that their message is going to the Mayor. Committee member Zaidoff explained that it’s definitely a celebratory piece that the Committee discussed employment and what that looks like for disabled individuals, and getting the conversation about disability happening again in the County amongst County elected officials and staff. Vice-Chair Christen Zulli spoke about the education piece that the MCPD brought to each meeting, such as individuals from the Department of Transportation, as well as Committee members who spoke on their particular expertise, and would like to see more of that next year. 7. Announcements Executive on Aging William Horace Farr thanked each and every Committee member for their accomplishments and coming together as a committee. Executive on Aging Farr explained that he will be retiring at the end of this month and that it has been a privilege to work with the Committee and they will always have a special place in his heart. Vice-Chair Christen Zulli thanked Executive on Aging William Horace Farr and wished him the best in retirement and the amazing work he has done. 8. Adjournment Motion made by Committee Member ReBecca Bennett to adjourn the meeting. Secretary Sandra Shuffler seconded the motion. 6 votes Aye, 0 votes No. The meeting was adjourned by Vice-Chair Christen Zulli at 12:19 P.M. County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.