Council Meeting Minutes – March 8, 2011

Location: STATE OFFICE BUILDING RM 300S, St. Paul MN

 

ATTENDANCE

  • Council members: Dave Schwartzkopf, Ed Butterfass, Laurie Hassett, Mark Hughes, Robert Johnson, Kathy Peterson, Erwin Rud, Rev.David Sams, Barb Stensland, Kathy Wingen and Kim Tyler.
  • Ex-officios: Linda Lingen, Neil Doughty, Sara Thorson, Tom Gottfried and Kelly Schoepfer.
  • Staff:  Joan Willshire, Margot Imdieke Cross, Linda Gremillion, Mai Thor, Diogo Reis, Kelly Rose, Ashley Reisenauer and Elizabeth Demski.

 

 

AGENDA

  • Call to Order
  • Introductions, Approval of Agenda, Approval of Minutes
  • Legislative Update
  • MNDOT Presentation on State Transportation Plan
  • Subcommittee Reports
  • Position Papers
  • Executive Committee Vacancy Election
  • Budget/Encumbrances
  • Chair’s Report
  • Executive Director’s Report
  • Adjournment

 

CALL TO ORDER

  • David Schwartzkopf as chair called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

 

 

NOMINATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Due to the resignation of Ken Rodgers from the council and executive committee, the chair asked for nominations from the floor.  Erwin Rud nominated Kathy Wingen.  The chair asked for any other nominations.  Mark

Hughes nominated Ed Butterfass.  The chair asked a third time for nominations; there were none.  Nominations were then closed.  The chair stated that ballots would be distributed by the staff and the ex-officios would gather and count the ballots during the break.

 

AGENDA AND MINUTES
Rev. David Sams made a motion to approve the agenda as amended.  Mark Hughes seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Laurie Hassett motioned for approval of the council minutes of October 14, 2010.  It was seconded by Kathy Wingen.  The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.

 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Diogo Reis, MSCOD’s legislative specialist, presented an update on the governor’s budget and legislation presented by both houses.

As of now, the budget from the governor’s office does not cut funds to transportation (Met Council, MNDOT).  There will be increased funding for vocational rehabilitation for employment ; the funds will be from the federal government.  The budget for health and human services may have cuts to service grants, higher premiums for MA-EPD, and affect non-emergency medical transportation.

MSCOD is monitoring several bills presented by the legislature.  The complete streets bill is a funded mandate that currently applies only to state streets; it does not translate to city and county.  The disability community is trying to eliminate this exclusion.  There are currently 7 bills regarding photo identification in order to vote.  They present problems in guardianship, put limits on who can help a person vote, and eliminates vouching.  A bill was introduced that would require disability parking certificates to be on dashboard holders; it would also require stricter enforcement of the certificates.  The roundabout bill that was passed last session will be implemented by MNDOT with input from Joan Willshire and Margot Imdieke Cross on accessibility issues.  All financial bills must be through committee by March 25, 2011.

 

STATE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Tom Gottfried and Kelly Schroepfer from MNDOT presented an update on the state transportation plan.  The goal is to have accessible transportation for an entire system covering greaterMinnesota.  As of now, only 2 counties

(Wilkon and Waseca) are without any service.  Pine and Kittson counties now have limited service.  The problem of funding has affected the amount of service to each county.  Some have transportation that is limited to only 1 day a week; the service to outstate counties is no more than 5 days a week and limited hours (7 to 4). The price of gas and funding will affect future expansion.

 

 

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
ACCESS

Margot Imdieke Cross reported on the access committee’s meeting.  The committee discussed the light rail progress and problems with push back.  Patrick Forsland, the Twins director of guest services, attended the meeting and discussed accessibility issues.  These included providing better descriptive services for the blind and ensuring accessible seating for those that need it.

 

EMPLOYMENT

Mai Thor presented the report from the committee.  Service animals have been redefined as dogs and small horses only.  As of now if an hotel has accessible rooms they must be held for those in need of it.  Effective March 1, 2011, paths and trails must be re-evaluated for other mechanical devices  such as golf carts and segways.   Mai also discussed the pathways to employment.  The grant will end December 2011.  She asked for council members input on the Awards luncheon; she requested suggestions for the morning panel and luncheon speaker.  She also reminded the council of the town hall meeting on April 4, 2011 on transportation and employment.

 

CHAIR’S REPORT
David Schwartzkopf reported that Joan Willshire received a good yearly evaluation.  He also announced that Kathy Wingen was elected to the executive council.  He asked for volunteers to review changes to the by-laws.  Kathy Wingen, Erwin Rud, Kim Tyler, Barb Stensland, Laurie Hassett, and Mark Hughes volunteered for this committee.

 

DISCUSSION OF POSITION PAPERS
Joan Willshire introduced MSCOD position papers for discussion and action.

  • Transportation Paper – Erwin Rud motioned for approval; Kathy Wingen seconded the motion.  It passed with unanimous voice vote.
  • Disability Paper – Rev. Sams motioned for approval; Erwin Rud seconded the motion.  It passed with unanimous voice vote.
  • Housing Paper – Mark Hughes motioned for approval; Rev.Sams seconded the motion.  It passed with unanimous voice vote.
  • Disability Rights Paper – Mark Hughes motioned for approval; Kim Tyler seconded the motion.  It was passed by unanimous voice vote.
  • Competitive Employment for Persons with Disabilities Paper – After discussion, it was decided that this paper would be reworked to define terms and statistics.
  • AffordableHealthCareAct & MNStateHealth Care – Erwin Rud motioned for approval; Mark Hughes seconded the motion.  It was passed by unanimous voice vote.
  • Emergency Preparedness Paper – Rev. Sams motioned for approval; Kathy Wingen seconded the motion.  It was approved by unanimous voice vote.

 

BUDGET AND ENCUMBRANCES
Linda Gremillion and Joan Willshire presented a number of financial issues that require the approval of the full council.

  • Refunds for the annual awards luncheon will not be provided after the event of the luncheon.  Tickets are refundable if purchased before the event.  Ed Butterfass motioned to approve; Mark Hughes seconded the motion.  It was approved by unanimous voice vote.
  • Erwin Rud motioned to approve funds for staff attendance at conferences (ADA, Age Wave, MPE/MPI, and Data conferences).  Mark Hughes seconded the motion.  It was approved by unanimous voice vote.
  • Ed Butterfass motioned to approve MSCOD budget fund 300.  Mark Hughes seconded the motion.  It was approved by unanimous voice vote.
  • Bob Johnson motioned to approve MSCOD budget fund 100.  Erwin Rud seconded the motion.  It was approved by unanimous voice vote. Rev. David Sams motioned to accept funding encumbrances.  Ed Butterfass seconded the motion.  It was approved by unanimous voice vote.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Joan Willshire reported that Pam Lillehels resigned and therefore another position on the council is open.  MSCOD’s emergency preparedness booklet needs to be reprinted with a new section on the developmently disabled.  Other agencies want to contribute to it’s funding; they include homeland security, MN ILC, assistive technology and the department of health.  Ed Butterfass motioned to accept the funds.  David Sams seconded the motion.

It was approved by unanimous voice vote.  The director suggested the next meeting may be held in a park in early June.  She encouraged council input.

 

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by the chair at 4:08 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Demski