2003-10-03 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes

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COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Friday, October 3, 2003, 10:30 a.m. Kona MayorÓs Office Conference Room PRESENT: Michael Gleason, Chair; Ted Yamanaka, Vice-Chair; Elizabeth Mason, Lawrence Scadden, Laura Tobosa EXCUSED: Betsy Whitney, Secretary; James Souza GUESTS: Chuck Fleming, DCAB Board Member; Susan Golden, John Hartman, H.A.W.K.; Be Jones, Daniel King, Andy Levin, MayorÓs Office; Joe Pretsch, Lee Pretsch, Shari Stocki 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 T. Yamanaka made a motion to accept the minutes of September 5, 2003. L. Tobosa seconded the motion. The motion was passed. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ISSUES S. Golden asked if a response was received from DCAB about portable toilets. A. Levin replied he has not heard anything yet. J. Hartman reported that he will defer his remarks under Volunteer Parking Violation Enforcement Program update since Sergeant R. Apele was unable to attend todayÓs meeting. E. Mason reported that she met B. Jones and D. King at a food tasting event at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. She felt MCPD needs to address access to the hotel since there was only one ramp and three stairs leading down to the entertainment. D. King stated that there was a problem going down to the swimming pool. He had to go underground which seemed like a long maze. B. Jones said there was also no real access leading down to the beach. She felt the event was extremely crowded and it made it difficult for a person in a wheelchair to participate. She asked how do people find out about access to the beaches or available brochures/maps J. Hartman explained that there is a route to the pool area and you donÓt have to go underground. Perhaps there should have been proper signage. A person needs to call the county for county parks and the state for state parks. A. Levin suggested that B. Jones contact the Big Island Visitors Bureau (BIVB) for brochures. He suggested that B. Jones make a presentation or inquiry to the Chamber of Commerce, BIVB, or other visitor organizations on issues that she is raising.