Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disabilities

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES Nubia Flores Cedeno, Chair Victor A. Garate, Member Stephen Adams, Vice Chair Chris Karadjov, Member Kim Vuong, Secretary Deaka McClain, Member Gretchen Swanson, Member TELECONFERENCE PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY TELEPHONE AT 562-570-6257 OR EMAIL TO HEATHER.VANWIJK@LONGBEACH.GOV CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Cedeno at 1:00 pm. ROLL CALL Commissioners Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Deaka McClain, Gretchen Present: Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno PRESENTATION The census shapes many different aspects of our community and counting an increasingly diverse and growing population is a massive undertaking. Julian Cernuda, 2020 Census Project Manager for the City of Long Beach, presented on the City's efforts to support the census. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Page 1 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES 1. 20-027CA Recommendation to approve the minutes from the July 9, 2020 meeting of the Citizen's Advisory Commission on Disabilities. A motion was made by Secretary Vuong, seconded by Commissioner McClain, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Deaka McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno STANDING COMMITTEE & AD-HOC REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 2. 20-028CA Recommendation to receive and file monthly report by the Accessibility, Transportation & Services committee or adopt any recommendations this committee would like to make. Commissioner Garate reported that this committee met on July 29th and discussed the following topics: Inviting back the City Clerk to discuss VSAP recommendations that could enhance the voting experience for the disability community in future elections (letter of invitation read into record), loss of Mayor Garcia's parents and user-friendly face masks. A motion was made by Secretary Vuong, seconded by Vice Chair Adams, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Deaka McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno Page 2 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES 3. 20-029CA Recommendation to receive and file monthly report by the Youth, Employment & Programs standing committee or adopt an recommendations this committee would like to make. Commissioner Swanson reported the committee met on July 31 and discussed the following topics: a centrally located disability resource guide that is managed by the City and more accessible to the community, perhaps housed in health and human services. Commissioner McClain reported that there is a lack of resources identified on the health and human services web page. Chair Cedeno reported that the committee is putting together a list of recommendations. A motion was made by Commissioner Swanson, seconded by Commissioner Karadjov, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Deaka McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno Page 3 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES 4. 20-030CA Recommendation to approve with any modifications the DEAM ad-hoc's suggested program for CACoD's DEAM event in October. Suggested program: Type of Event: Virtual Townhall (Forum) Date: Weekday Evening **Thursday, October 8th (Preferred day) Thursday, October 15 Wednesday, October 21st Start Time: 6pm-8pm Moderators: Commissioners Heads of Organizations: Answering questions we create based on the national organization's program. Possible guests: Harbor Regional Center, DRC, City of LB Economic Inclusion, Office Councilmember Mary Zendejas, LBUSD Dr. Rachel Heenan, Superintendent of Special Education Format Style: CACOD commissioners ask questions from panelists created based on national program suggestions. We allow panelists to answer and share information. A motion was made by Commissioner Karadjov, seconded by Commissioner Garate, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Deaka McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno BUDGET FY21 DISCUSSIONS Page 4 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES COVID-19 DISCUSSIONS cont. Commissioner Swanson had three concerns she brought forth: Access to CACoD meetings, continuation of discussion group on vulnerable communities that came together in May and the treatment of people with disabilities across the health continuum during COVID, and how can we best amplify the use of CARES resources quickly; how do we encourage non-profits to apply? Commissioner McClain stated she'd like for the commission to have further discussions and perhaps take action regarding the treatment of persons with disabilities in hospitals during COVID; Commissioner Swanson mentioned there were specific cases of that have gained national spotlight outside of Long Beach. Commissioner Swanson stated that what is unknown is the access to care across the health continuum; are folks being cared for appropriately? Chair Cedeno clarified that this is about potential bias in health care towards person with disabilities and that the commission should be thoughtful in what we are trying to achieve; we do not want to contribute to the fear. Commissioner Garate asked for a clarification on what type of care there is concern about. Commissioner McClain would like for the City to put out a statement that says people with disabilities who have COVID will be treated with the same level of care in hospitals as people without disabilities. Commissioner Vuong stated that there is still concern about children and families who aren't getting enough food. Page 5 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES AGENCY REPORTS Commissioner Adams reported The Children's Clinic has partnered with Census 2020 to help promote and get out information. Commissioner Swanson reported that Heart of Ida has received a grant to do 6 hours of weekly programming on public access television, directed towards older adults and persons aging with disabilities. The programming is available to all Long Beach residents who have broadband through Spectrum or Frontier, and is also available online. It will go live daily from 11-1 starting in September. Heart of Ida is currently looking for content. Commissioner Garate reported that he attended the Access CAC and shared that Access is discussing base-coupon changes, is still offering same-day service, including for those with service animals who need to go to the vet, etc., and looking at ways to have community meetings via Zoom. Commissioner Garate also stated that there was discussion in his standing committee on ways the commission may acknowledge the mayor's loss of his parents to COVID. Chair Cedeno reported that LBUSD is asking families to choose a school option for the next school year, and gave kudos to LBUSD for their efforts specific to special education. LBUSD's YouTube channel has a lot of helpful information. Commissioner McClain reported that she was asked to participate in the City's reconciliation efforts. STAFF REPORT Heather Van Wijk reminded the commission of 1) the current on-boarding process and to reach out with any questions or concerns and 2) the DRC's virtual event coming up on August 20th. Mrs. Van Wijk also encouraged the commissioners to reach out if anyone has an informal budget recommendation they would like to have passed on. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CLOSING REMARKS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Page 6 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES ADJOURNMENT Chair Cedeno adjourned the meeting at 2:51 pm. Page 7 of 7