MINUTES
FLORIDA KEYS COUNCIL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (FKCFPWD)
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2006
ISLAMORADA LIBRARY
PRESENT: Michelle Wisniewski, Jim Malcolm, Gary Lowe, Elaine Higgins, Cindy McKnight, Sandy Molina, Secretary/Treasurer, Deb Barsell, County Liaison,
GUESTS: Calvin Allen, ADA Coord. Belinda Brown, Patricia Howe
Meeting called to order at 11:00 AM with a welcome to new the County Liaison, Deb Barsell, Acting Division Director. Everyone introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes and Agenda
Minutes of the May 25, 2006 meeting were approved. The Agenda was also approved with the Welcome of Deb Barsell.
Report of the Chairperson
Michelle reported that Gary Lowe’s term expired back in February but is staying on until someone else is appointed. The person Gary suggested as a candidate is not at this meeting, as Michelle had requested. She also mentioned that there was another person from Key West that called her to say that he was interested in getting on the Council, but he is not at this meeting either. She mentioned again that she, along with other Council members wanted to meet any person interested in sitting on the Council in person, at one of the meetings. This will show that they will be able to attend the meetings with no problem. Michelle stated that this Council is already short an Alternate which has been vacant for a while, because the Alternate that was chosen did not show for 4 meetings in a row.
Michelle thanked everyone who attended the ADA Anniversary. There were approximately 40 – 45 people who attended.
Financial Report
Balance in account is $16,525.65.
Report of the Committee on Awards
Michelle reported that she gave an award to Sandy Molina and Sheila Barker. Jim Malcolm reported that he gave an award to David Fernandez, City of Key West Storm Water Utility Department.
Michelle asked if there were any nominations for awards. Gary advised that he has made no progress in getting Home Depot to accept an award.
Elaine Higgins motioned to give an award to Aleisa McGuirl, Center for Independent Living. Sandy advised Elaine that she needed the write up. This award will be given at the August 16, 2006 Key Largo BOCC meeting. Michelle will e-mail an outline of a previous award write up. Michelle advised Elaine that she would need to be at that BOCC meeting for the presentation.
Cynthia McKnight would like to nominate Jose Sanchez Eye Clinic and the Marathon Lions Club for an award. Both awards will be presented at the September 20, 2006 BOCC meeting in Marathon. Michelle advised Cynthia that she would need to be at that BOCC meeting for the presentation. She was also advised to e-mail Sandy the write up.
Michelle would like to nominate Anchors Away Club and the Synagogue on United Street for an award. Both awards will be presented at the October 18, 2006 meeting in Key West. Michelle will e-mail Sandy the write up. She would also like to nominate Habitat for Humanity for an award. Gary Lowe will be present to give this award. She will check with the new Director as to where they would like to have the award presented to them.
Motion made and seconded on all awards. Motion passed.
Reports of the Committee on Monroe County ADA Upgrades
Joe Medallion – Monroe County Public Works
Joe not present to report.
Belinda Brown – Monroe County Elections
Belinda advised that the ramps have now arrived and the Public Works Department is assembling them. They will be placed at the polling places on the Friday before the elections on September 5, 2006. All of the polling places will now be accessible on Election Day.
Michelle asked that Belinda e-mail to her, a list of the polling places. Michelle will then send the list to the other members of the Council.
Jim Malcolm – City of Key West
Clayton/Sterling Field – Just started working again fixing the restrooms, handrails, and etc… Jim advised that the new director of Parks and Recreation, Greg Veliz, will be meeting with him on July 28, 2006, to discuss putting together an ADA Task Force, to see how they are doing in the city. They will report bi-weekly on what ADA improvements have been made. All intersections that were done under the storm water contract have now been complete except for striping and planting. Jim reported the ADA requires that accessible parking spaces on the street be located at the corner, and that since the Jaycees Clubhouse is in the middle of the block, a flat surface will be poured immediately adjacent to the parking space that a lift can come down on. Jim
reported that they are also looking into putting another disabled parking space across the street from the Key West Library for library patrons.
Michelle Wisniewski – Assn. for Disabled Americans Actions
Michelle reported that the Association has settled two big actions, one being the Lower Keys Hospital with a 45 page list of items that need to be fixed. She also reported that the Fisherman’s Hospital has not settled as of yet, but expects a similar result. They have also settled with many branches of the First State Bank, Alice’s, and other businesses.
Michelle reported that the Association has recently upgraded their website. The website is: www.ADA2000.com
Unfinished Business
1. Disabled Parking Enforcement in Key West – Michelle Wisniewski and Law Enforcement Representative
Jim reported that he has heard nothing new, but has said that they should send a parking enforcement officer in a different direction at least once a week, as a compromise since there were no new hires. Gary agreed that there is a problem with parking enforcement. Michelle has told the Association about the problems. She said that the City is violating is agreement regarding facilities access by not enforcing disabled parking. Jim reported about the Ferry Terminal. He stated that in their new security application, they decided to wipe out the disabled parking space, but they became aware of the problem and will be working on it. The Ferry Terminal will be undergoing renovations ie.. accessible restrooms, and accessible upper deck. In the meantime, they have to find a place for a
disabled parking space. Michelle stated that she has talked to the Mayor and the Commissioners, along with the Police Chief regarding the enforcement of disabled parking spaces.
2. Subtitling for televised public meetings – County Liaison
Deb Barsell reported that it was her understanding that research had been done with regards to the enhanced listening devises for the BOCC meetings. She advised that the cost would be approximately $800.00 per BOCC meeting room (3) for 4 units each. She has not talked to Mickey Baker, Tech. Services Director, as of yet. She thinks that this would be a good place to spend the Council money. As far as televising public meetings with Subtitling, Deb reported that there are some grants available for this type of expenditure and that the most likely one is from the Department of Commerce.
New Business
Gary would like to have the Disabilities Council money go toward getting a consultant to get more people involved in this Council. He stated that this Council has not had much success in getting people involved. The Council feels that if they could spend the money on food/drinks, they would be able to recruit more people to special events and/or meetings. Elaine and Gary will give a list of agencies to Michelle so that she can send out information about the next meeting.
Announcements
The next Disability Council will be held on September 28, 2006, at 10:00 AM, State Bldg., Marathon.
Adjournment
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