HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-04 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes
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COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Letter to Mayor
with carbon copy
to Civil Defense
Friday, February 4, 2005, 10:30 a.m.
L. Scadden
Kona Mayors Office Conference Room
PRESENT: Lawrence Scadden, Chair; Ted Yamanaka, Vice-Chair; Denise Cowdrey,
Michael Gleason, Jack Matsui, James Souza, Laura Tobosa
EXCUSED: Betsy Whitney, Secretary
GUESTS: Malina Dravis, Interpreter; Susan Golden, John Hartman, H.A.W.K.;
Andrea Johnson, CNA; Pat Lockwood, Executive Director of Hawaii Centers for
Independent Living; Sonia Scadden
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. An introduction of committee members,
staff, and guests wasmade.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M. Gleason made a motion to accept the minutes of January 7, 2005. T. Yamanaka
seconded the motion. The motion was passed.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ONAGENDA ISSUES
J. Hartman reported that he would like to address the disaster warning system. He
explained how the traffic was backed up on Alii Drive for thirteen hours last Sunday
before 9 a.m. It took over an hour to get from the south end of Alii Drive and back to
town. The road was closed for 13 hours because some guy hit a wire that supports a
telephone pole and the pole fell down and it blocked Alii Drive. People in their cars
would be floating around had there been any kind of disaster coming from the ocean.
He suggested that all developers be required to put a road that goes up the mountain
whenasubdivisiongoesin.
TREASURERSREPORT
The treasurers report was reviewed.
T. Yamanaka made a motion to accept the treasurers report assubmitted. J. Matsui
seconded the motion. L. Scadden mentioned that MCPD has the flexibility to move
around the budget when different line items become short. The motion was passed.
CORRESPONDENCE
A.EmailfromAlisaMitchenerregardingthenewADAAccessibilityGuidelinesfor
public comments have been extended to May 21, 2005
L.ScaddenaskedifMCPDwouldliketoprovidecommentstorepresenttheCounty
of Hawaii since the deadline was extended. He suggested at the last meeting that
MCPDmembersprovidecommentsasindividualsbecauseoftheoriginaldeadline
of January 28, 2005. L. Tobosa volunteered to take the lead and making a
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
presentation to MCPD at the March or April meeting and then submitting comments
to the Mayor for his approval or disapproval.
B. People on the Move: Using all Transportation Options (ADA and Beyond) training
to be held on March 15-16, 2005 at the Waikiki Beach Marriott and Spa on Oahu
sponsored by the Easter Seals Project ACTION
L. Scadden reported that he would like to have someone from the committee or the
community represent the County of Hawaii at the training. Reimbursement will be
provided for lodging for those with more than a 60-minute commute. However, there
is an obligation after completing the program to provide instruction to individuals.
L. Tobosa said she will probably attend the training. She offered to contact T. Brown
to see if he will be attending on behalf of the county.
L. Scadden said he will contact B. Whitney to see if she will be interested in
attending the training as she is the committees transportation team leader.
C. Training Notice from the Office of the Corporation Counsel regarding the State
Sunshine Law to be held on March 22, 2005 at the Department of Liquor Control
Conference Room in Kona
L. Scadden indicated that he signed up to attend the training in Kona.
TEAM REPORTS
A. EDUCATION/PUBLIC AWARENESS TEAM M. GLEASON
M. Gleason reported that this subcommittee did not meet. He invited other members
to join their team. They will try to meet next month.
B. RECREATION TEAM L. SCADDEN
No report.
C.TRANSPORTATION TEAM B. WHITNEY
No report.
S. Golden reported that public transportation in West Hawaii is wonderful. However,
the bus has 6 to 10 people in it and its not as filled as she would like it to be. She
felt more public education needs to be done in West Hawaii on public transportation.
D. Cowdrey said Goodwill Industries has one participant that utilizes the bus from
Puna.
L. Scadden mentioned that the public transportation is a free trial period and if it is
not used, we cannot expect it to continue in the future.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A.VOLUNTEERPARKINGVIOLATIONENFORCEMENTPROGRAMUPDATE
SGT. VERIATO
Noreport.
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B. UPDATE FROM DCAB C. FLEMING/D. JACKSON/N. OLESEN
The February report from D. Jackson, DCAB was distributed to MCPD members.
C. ADA COORDINATORS REPORT T. SPINOLA-CAMPBELL
No report.
D.PARKSAND RECREATION REPORT AND ADA GUIDELINES UPDATE
A. MITCHENER
No report.
E. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS L. SCADDEN
No report.
F. EAST-WEST ISLAND VIDEOCONFERENCING OF MCPD MEETINGS
L. Scadden reported that the new County Council is very active and they were able
to accomplish videoconferencing during their first month of activity. The Mayors
Office conference room in Kona and the County Councilroom in Hilo are equipped to
have videoconferencing. However, the Aupuni Center conference room in Hilo does
not have that capability. In addition, the Planning Commission utilizes the County
Councilroom every first Friday of each month. The Housing Agency also has a
conference room for videoconferencing, but the room is too small and it is not
accessible, but they are moving into a different facility in the spring that will be
accessible. Perhaps MCPD could pursue videoconferencing and begin by the end
of spring.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
J. Matsui asked if the Police Department could send a representative to MCPDs
meeting since Sergeant D. Veriato is unable to attend and provide an update on the
volunteer parking violation enforcement program update. L. Scadden suggested that it
would be nice to meet with Sergeant D. Veriato directly and invite him to provide a
reportattheMarchmeeting.
STATEMENTSFROMTHEPUBLICONNON-AGENDAISSUES
J. Hartman reported that he will contact the federal highway administration to put
pressure on the County of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii for the block grant monies
that the counties and the state will receive for highways and roadways.
J. Hartman mentioned that former member, Beverly Kanda, would like to say hello to
MCPD.Secondly,JerryRothstein,agoodfriendandadvocate,passedaway.
J. Rothstein would always contact him because he was very active in trying to get
accessibilityonshorelineaccessandhecouldpushthroughwhatJ.Hartmancouldnot.
S.GoldenaskedifMCPDcouldsuggestthatyearlytrialrunsonemergency
evacuations include people with disabilities. L. Scadden offered to draft a letter to the
MayorwithacarboncopytotheCivilDefenseAgency.
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J. Hartman suggested that MCPD ask one or two of our council members from Konato
attend the committees meeting once in a while. He knows that Virginia Isbell is a good
spokesperson for the disabled community. He is unfamiliar with Angel Pilago, but he
seems like a really good guy and could be an asset for the disabled people. L. Scadden
offered to invite them to the April meeting in Kona.
P. Lockwood reported that they contacted the National Council on Disability to hold
discussion on Physician Assisted Suicide. She will be meeting with DCABs legislative
committee on Tuesday to talk about this issue. Secondly, she received an e-mail about
the potential cuts in the rehab services administration. The Bush Administration has
suggested closing all regional RSA offices and moving it into a centralize office in
Washington, DC. The Bush Administration is also starting to dismantle disability
programs.
P. Lockwood indicated that the only site in the state that service dogs can enter is
Honolulu.YoucannotflyfromthemainlandtoMauiorflyfromthemainlandtotheBig
Island if you have service animals. This is one of the issues HCIL is working on right
now to liberalize the quarantine law.
L. Scadden mentioned that he will be testifying before the Health Committee in Honolulu
about the Physician Assisted Suicide bill.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next meeting will be held on Friday, March 4, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo. Location
to be announced.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
_______________________________
JEAN VIERNES, STAFF SECRETARY
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