HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-07 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes
COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Friday, December 7, 2007, 10:30 a.m.
Kona Mayor’s Office Conference Room
PRESENT: Michael Gleason, Chair; Lawrence Scadden, Vice-Chair; Laura Tobosa,
Secretary; Jean Navarro, James Souza
EXCUSED: Jack Matsui, Ronald Wagner-Wright, Ted Yamanaka, Diane Noda,
Corporation Counsel
GUESTS: Jack Dixson, Malina Dravis-Tucker, Interpreter; Susan Golden,
Teri-Spinola-Campbell, ADA Coordinator (Equal Opportunity Officer)
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:35 a.m. An introduction of committee members,
staff, and guests was made.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
L. Scadden made a motion to accept the minutes of November 2, 2007. J. Souza
seconded the motion. The motion was passed.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ISSUES
None.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The treasurer’s report was reviewed.
L. Tobosa made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as submitted. J. Navarro
seconded the motion. The motion was passed.
CORRESPONDENCE
A.Thank you letter from DCAB to L. Scadden for doing the introductions at the
Emergency Preparedness Forum on October 16, 2007
COMMUNITY LIAISON REPORTS
A.EDUCATION/PUBLIC AWARENESS LIAISON – M. GLEASON
No report.
B.RECREATION LIAISON – L. SCADDEN
No report.
C.TRANSPORTATION LIAISON – R. WAGNER-WRIGHT
No report.
Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
D.EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS LIAISON – L. SCADDEN
No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A.VOLUNTEER PARKING VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE –
SGT. D. VERIATO
No report.
T. Spinola-Campbell reported that she contacted the Judiciary to see if they could
find out how many people go to court for citations. She will follow up and provide a
report at the next meeting.
M. Gleason asked how does MCPD feel about the program? Is it working and has
the program made any difference? L. Scadden responded that the program is
working, but there is more that can be done. He received many telephone calls after
his name appeared in the West Hawaii Today relating to the volunteer parking
violation enforcement program. Some people said that not enough is being done.
B.UPDATE FROM DCAB – C. FLEMING/N. OLESEN/C. TOWNSEND
The December report from F. Wai, Executive Director of DCAB, was distributed to
MCPD members.
J. Navarro reported that the Chamber of Commerce is planning to have an expo in
May 2008. She felt it would be a great time for MCPD to do some other kinds of
training as employers through the Chamber of Commerce. She would like to
encourage more employers to hire persons with disabilities. She suggested to put
this issue on the agenda for the next meeting.
C.ADA COORDINATOR’S REPORT – T. SPINOLA-CAMPBELL
T. Spinola-Campbell provided her report as the ADA Coordinator for November
2007. ADA Coordinator’s report attached.
S. Golden raised an issue regarding the use of tasers on people with disabilities.
T. Spinola-Campbell said she can follow up with the Police Department or MCPD
can write a letter to the Police Chief. She offered to do research on the use of tasers
for people with disabilities and also add it into her training for police recruits and she
could bring it to the attention of the police department.
D.PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT – A. MITCHENER
No report.
T. Spinola-Campbell reported that she has modification funds to fund two new chair
lifts for the Kona Community Aquatic Center and the Kawamoto Pool. She also
received a request to install a handrail in the men’s change room at the Kona
Community Aquatic Center.
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T. Spinola-Campbell reported on Easter Seals Project ACTION Mobility Planning
Team. Teams, selected through a competitive application process, will convene in
Washington, D.C., to share information and strategies to improve access to
transportation services in their communities. Applications are due in December.
Perhaps MCPD can think about it for next year and the Transportation Liaison can
spearhead this.
J. Navarro asked the status of the paratransit vans for Kona. T. Spinola-Campbell
responded that T. Brown is going to send her a report on the update of the
paratransit vans.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ISSUES
J. Dixson reported that he and his wife have special needs and both of them require
service dogs. One of their service dogs died unexpectedly last month and they are
financially strapped and are unable to purchase a replacement service dog. He is
inquiring if anyone has any ideas about funding or service dogs in this area. T. Spinola-
Campbell suggested that J. Dixson contact Sharon Smockhoffman from Hawaii
Disability Rights to assist him. T. Spinola-Campbell will contact J. Dixson with
information that she follows up on.
M. Gleason suggested that J. Dixson approach some other service organizations such
as the Rotary Club for assistance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next meeting will be held on Friday, January 4, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. in the Aupuni
Center conference room.
M. Gleason asked MCPD members to email him or J. Viernes with agenda items if
anyone have issues to discuss in upcoming meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:14 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
_______________________________
JEAN VIERNES, STAFF SECRETARY
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