COMMISSION ON INCLUSION AND ADAPTIVE LIVING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2024
VIRTUAL MEETING
11:00 A.M.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2024
VIRTUAL MEETING
11:00 A.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Vice Chair Simukonda called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m.
2.
Roll Call
NOTE: One or more Commission members may be in attendance through other technological means.
NOTE: One or more Commission members may be in attendance through other technological means.
| PRESENT: COMMISSIONER BECKER COMMISSIONER DORMAN COMMISSIONER EISENBERG COMMISSIONER PURRINGTON COMMISSIONER SIMUKONDA COMMISSIONER SMITH |
ABSENT: CHAIR RANDALL |
3.
Recommended Protocol for Members and Other Participants
All commissioners should have their microphones on mute to keep the background noise out of the chat room. The chair of the meeting should ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak if they would like. Commissioners should use the chat function to inform the Chair they would like to make a statement and the Chair will announce the Commissioners to speak in the order they appear in the chat.
All commissioners should have their microphones on mute to keep the background noise out of the chat room. The chair of the meeting should ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak if they would like. Commissioners should use the chat function to inform the Chair they would like to make a statement and the Chair will announce the Commissioners to speak in the order they appear in the chat.
4.
Public Participation
The Commission cannot act upon items presented during the Public Participation portion of the Agenda. Individual Commission members may ask questions of the public but are prohibited by the Open Meeting Law from discussion or considering the item among themselves until the item is officially placed on the Agenda. Each public comment or presentation will be limited to five (5) minutes.
The Commission cannot act upon items presented during the Public Participation portion of the Agenda. Individual Commission members may ask questions of the public but are prohibited by the Open Meeting Law from discussion or considering the item among themselves until the item is officially placed on the Agenda. Each public comment or presentation will be limited to five (5) minutes.
None
5.
ACTION ITEMS
A.
Consideration and Possible Approval: Letter to Council Regarding Grandview and Other Projects
The commission considered the letter drafted by Chair Randall.
Moved by Susan Purrington, seconded by Keith Becker to approve the letter and send to the City Council.
Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Therapeutic Recreation Working Group Update
i.
Possible letter to City Council regarding Therapeutic Recreation
Commissioner Purrington explained that there was not much to update at this time. The group had been trying to schedule a meeting but had not yet received responses from non-commissioned members. She suggested that the Commission could proceed with meetings among just the Commission members if necessary. Vice Chair Simukonda asked whether it would be appropriate to add a discussion or action item next month for the Commissioners alone, and Ms. Saltzburg confirmed that this would be acceptable, noting that the Commission has the flexibility to begin discussions without the non-commissioned participants and could revisit the topic at the next meeting.
Commissioner Purrington emphasized that the working group’s main purpose is to clarify specific asks for a letter, focusing on short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals. While she acknowledged the importance of input from non-commissioned members for a strong letter, the group could start drafting without them if needed. Vice Chair Simukonda suggested drafting the letter in advance and sending it to the Commission for review so that it could be voted on at the next meeting.
The conversation then turned to concerns about festival accessibility. Vice Chair Simukonda shared issues she had observed as a volunteer coordinator, including inaccessible toilets and festival layouts that made it difficult for individuals using wheelchairs to participate. Mr. Martinez noted that these concerns were valid and fell under ADA and code compliance issues. Ms. Saltzburg suggested that the topic of festival accessibility is broader than therapeutic recreation and could be addressed by the full Commission next month.
Commissioner Purrington emphasized that the working group’s main purpose is to clarify specific asks for a letter, focusing on short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals. While she acknowledged the importance of input from non-commissioned members for a strong letter, the group could start drafting without them if needed. Vice Chair Simukonda suggested drafting the letter in advance and sending it to the Commission for review so that it could be voted on at the next meeting.
The conversation then turned to concerns about festival accessibility. Vice Chair Simukonda shared issues she had observed as a volunteer coordinator, including inaccessible toilets and festival layouts that made it difficult for individuals using wheelchairs to participate. Mr. Martinez noted that these concerns were valid and fell under ADA and code compliance issues. Ms. Saltzburg suggested that the topic of festival accessibility is broader than therapeutic recreation and could be addressed by the full Commission next month.
B.
Sidewalk Working Group Update
Vice Chair Simukonda reported that she and Mr. Martinez are coordinating a meeting with Code Compliance to address sidewalk complaints and explore ways to streamline the process. They are also continuing work on a presentation for the Police Department. Mr. Martinez highlighted two recurring areas of concern: overgrown brush and debris at the top of Smokerise near a house where children wait for the school bus, and sidewalk obstructions caused by bulk and trash pickup in the University Heights area. Vice Chair Simukonda agreed to draft a letter to Public Works and Code Compliance with specific addresses, aiming to resolve these issues before the snow season, noting that snow could create additional challenges for sidewalks.
C.
August Commission Planning Meeting - Friday, August 9, 2024
Ms. Saltzburg confirmed the date for the planning meeting as August 9, 2024. There would be a virtual option available for those interested. She asked the commission to forward any topics for consideration before the meeting if possible.
7.
LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES
A.
Update from Council Liaison - Mayor Daggett
None
B.
Transportation Liaison - LaReina Reyes - Mountain Line
Mr. Martinez provided an update on the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Committee’s efforts, which are focused on creating a pitch packet to distribute to media to seek monetary donations or potentially a van from a dealership. The committee welcomes individual letters of support and encouraged Commissioners to submit them if they wish. He also shared that the Coordinated Mobility Council will hold its quarterly meeting on August 16th from 10:00 AM to noon. The meeting will be hybrid, allowing attendance either in person at the transportation headquarters near Kasper Avenue or virtually.
C.
Update from Youth Liaison - Joseph Spence - NACoPTT
Commissioner Eisenberg reported that the NACoPTT summer retreat was held about a month ago, they discussed plans to include more presentations for the group and to get an earlier start on their annual transition fair. A challenge has been securing a date from the community center early enough to effectively advertise the event. This year, a subgroup will assist with planning and coordination. Additionally, she noted that help will be needed in securing donations of food or funding for food, and any leads would be appreciated.
D.
Update from Sidewalk Liaison - Jamie Martinez
None
E.
Update from Parking Liaison - Rachael Simukonda
None
8.
Staff Participation
None
9.
Information Items To/From Inclusion and Adaptive Living Commission Members
Vice Chair Simukonda requested that Ms. Saltzburg send out the Zoom link on the day of the meeting to make it easier to access, and Ms. Saltzburg agreed to do so while noting the link is also available on the city’s website agenda. Vice Chair Simukonda also shared a grant opportunity from Northland Family Crisis Center related to government participation and offered to share the link with any Commissioners who may be interested.
Commissioner Dorman announced that registration is open for the first annual Northern Arizona Disability Resource Fair on October 5th, hosted by the Institute for Human Development, with 32 vendor spots available. Vice Chair Simukonda requested that voter registration materials be included, which Commissioner Dorman will bring to the committee for consideration. The Commission discussed participating to provide information about their work, the city, and resources for people with disabilities. Mayor Daggett volunteered to cover the $50 registration fee and assist at the table, with city staff coordinating the registration.
Commissioner Becker highlighted the upcoming “Picking in the Pines” event from September 13–15, noting that it is family-friendly and wheelchair accessible, and invited Commissioners to visit the site to assess accessibility improvements. He also requested assistance distributing flyers at Northern Arizona University.
Ms. Saltzburg shared that Commissioner Dorman is seeking additional volunteer facilitators for the 2025 Inclusive Spaces Workshop series hosted by Welcomed Here, and provided Susan’s contact email.
Commissioner Dorman announced that registration is open for the first annual Northern Arizona Disability Resource Fair on October 5th, hosted by the Institute for Human Development, with 32 vendor spots available. Vice Chair Simukonda requested that voter registration materials be included, which Commissioner Dorman will bring to the committee for consideration. The Commission discussed participating to provide information about their work, the city, and resources for people with disabilities. Mayor Daggett volunteered to cover the $50 registration fee and assist at the table, with city staff coordinating the registration.
Commissioner Becker highlighted the upcoming “Picking in the Pines” event from September 13–15, noting that it is family-friendly and wheelchair accessible, and invited Commissioners to visit the site to assess accessibility improvements. He also requested assistance distributing flyers at Northern Arizona University.
Ms. Saltzburg shared that Commissioner Dorman is seeking additional volunteer facilitators for the 2025 Inclusive Spaces Workshop series hosted by Welcomed Here, and provided Susan’s contact email.
10.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting - August 28, 2024
11.
Adjournment
The Commission on Inclusion and Adaptive Living meeting of July 24, 2024 adjourned at 11:38 a.m.