The Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities

CITY OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE DISABLED MINUTES January 3, 2019 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Ramón Gálvez-Arango called the Regular Meeting of the Advisory Committee for the Disabled to order at 6:00pm. ROLL CALL Members Present: Herman Ajamian, John Borack, Terry Coakley, Ramón Gálvez-Arango, Lawrence Judson, Philip Nisco, Susanne Seiden, and Jan Werts. Others Present: Guests; Bob Peg and Debbie Paul. Also present; Councilmember Kim Constantine and city liaison, Nora Webb. Members Absent: Anna Nagmay, Tom Nguyen, and Gary Osterbach. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Committee Member Lawrence Judson moved to approve the minutes of the November 1, 2018 meeting. Second by Committee Member Philip Nisco. Motion carried 8-0 in favor of approving the minutes. ONGOING BUSINESS A. Report from Subcommittee on Recreation Programs Committee Member Jan Werts reported with the larger crowds (in excess of 160 paid entries at the last dance) at the dance we needed a new set up for refreshments; she thanked Chairperson Ramón Gálvez-Arango for creating the new schematic that will assist in the organization of the refreshment distribution. She reported that craft prizes were donated at her front door; she will call the woman to thank her for the donations. Jan asked for members of the committee to sign up to volunteer at the dances; a sign-up sheet was circulated. Committee Member Herman Ajamian asked to have a new person in charge of dance refreshments for this year, there was discussion about the refreshments being purchased. Staff will arrange to have refreshments purchased for the dances. B. Disability Friendly Business Awards Chairperson Ramón Gálvez-Arango asked Committee Member Philip Nisco if he would continue to lead the subcommittee for the awards since he was so successful with the 2018 awards program. Committee Member Philip Nisco agreed asking everyone on the committee to continue to assist with finding award recipients. C. Assist City Departments in implementation of guidelines for accessible facilities No report or discussion. D. Facilitate development of recreational programs useable by persons with disabilities No report or discussion. E. Information concerning special recreation equipment No report or discussion. F. Facilitation of development of barrier free buildings and facilities within the city Committee Member Terry Coakley reported that there is a tree that is encroaching on the sidewalk at Warner and Mt. Collien. There was a discussion; staff will report the issue to public works. G. Work with various levels of education on the development and implementation of programs to assure maximum integration for students No report or discussion. H. Development of community awareness of employment potentials of persons with disabilities No report or discussion. NEW BUSINESS A. Updating Name of Committee Following up the idea of revising the committee name at the last committee meeting, Chairperson Ramón Gálvez-Arango prompted a discussion to consider updating the committee name. His suggestion was “City of Fountain Valley Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities” in keeping with “person first” language. There was discussion regarding the proposed name change. Chairperson Ramón Gálvez-Arango made a motion to ask the city leadership to change the name of our committee to “City of Fountain Valley Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities”. There was a second by Committee Member John Borack. Motion carried 8-0 in favor of asking city leadership to change the name of our committee to “City of Fountain Valley Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities”. Staff will follow up with city leadership and report back to the committee at our next meeting. Public Comments N/A Committee Comments Committee Member Terry Coakley reported that she has noticed that the sidewalks in her neighborhood need attention. There was discussion that the sidewalks are heaving and not safe for the public. Staff will contact public works to find out if that neighborhood is on a schedule to fix the sidewalks. Committee Member John Borack reported that PCTA has been nominated for a video excellence award for a program featuring a young man with autism named Julen; the name of the program is “Julen’s Ausome Sauce” and is about this young man who has created a local salad dressing and basting sauce business. John mentioned another program that is on PCTA “Special Olympics Bowling Championships” that spotlights the Special Olympics bowling championships at Fountain Bowl. John said he would email the web links so our committee members can view the nominated programs. Committee Member John Borack suggested we add a program to honor high-achieving students with special needs. He reported that he would speak with the instructor in charge of the special education program at Fountain Valley High School. The committee was supportive of the suggestion. Adjournment With no further business before the Advisory Committee for the Disabled, Chairperson Ramón Gálvez-Arango adjourned the meeting at 6:45pm. Minutes Submitted by Nora B.K. Webb