Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disabilities

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 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 Jennifer Kumiyama, Member Elyse Ares, Member Deaka McClain, Member Gretchen Swanson, Member TELECONFERENCE VIA WEBEX Join from the meeting link: https://longbeachcity.webex.com/longbeachcity/j.php? MTID=m3ac2bd5e9e131a72f9e64c1b566b2d26 Or join by calling 1-213-306-3065 Meeting number (access code): 146 858 3604 Meeting password: 5xzEY3Nc5q6 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Cedeno at 1:00 pm. Commissioners Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Jennifer Kumiyama, Deaka Present: McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno Commissioners Elyse Ares Absent: ROLL CALL Commissioners Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Jennifer Kumiyama, Deaka Present: McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno Commissioners Elyse Ares Absent: PUBLIC COMMENT Page 1 of 8 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 21-004CA Recommendation to approve minutes from the January 14, 2021 meeting of the Citizen's Advisory Commission on Disabilities. Attachments: CACOD Minutes.January 14 2021 A motion was made by Commissioner Kumiyama, seconded by Commissioner Garate, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 8 - Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Jennifer Kumiyama, Deaka McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno Absent: 1 - Elyse Ares STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS 21-005CA Recommendation to receive and file monthly report by the Accessibility, Transportation & Services standing committee or adopt any recommendations this committee would like to make. Commissioner Garate reported that the ATS standing committee met on Wednesday, February 3rd at 1:05 pm. The first order of business was discussion of vaccine prioritization for people with disabilities and ensuring that locations are accessible as vaccines continue to roll out. The second order of business was continued discussion regarding crosswalk timers and the ability for people who use mobility devices to safely cross streets and the potential for our traffic bureau to visit the commission at an upcoming meeting and answer some questions. Lastly, ATS ended the meeting with a continued call-to-action for vaccine prioritization for people with disabilities. A motion was made by Commissioner Swanson, seconded by Commissioner Kumiyama, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Page 2 of 8 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES Yes: 8 - Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Jennifer Kumiyama, Deaka McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno Absent: 1 - Elyse Ares 21-006CA Recommendation to receive and file monthly report by the Youth, Employment & Programs standing committee or adopt any recommendations this committee would like to make. Attachments: YEP Standing Committee Report_Jan2021 (002).pdf Commissioner Swanson reported that the YEP standing committee met on Thursday, January 14th at 3:30 pm. The YEP continues to work on their goals for 2021, including equity in public places. The YEP will work with Heather Van Wijk and Chair Cedeno to secure a speaker to present on equity in public spaces at a future CACoD meeting. The goal is to invite other commissions and City departments to this presentation that would find this information useful. Commissioner Swanson also reported there was discussion related to leaf blowers and, as the YEP, recommended there should be consideration of economic impact at an individual level should the City ever ban leaf blowers and consideration for alternative methods as CACoD continues to look at this topic. A motion was made by Secretary Vuong, seconded by Commissioner McClain, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 8 - Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Jennifer Kumiyama, Deaka McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno Absent: 1 - Elyse Ares NEW BUSINESS Page 3 of 8 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES 21-007CA Recommendation to discuss the recent inquiry regarding the use of leaf blowers within the City of Long Beach, the health impacts these leaf blowers have on persons with disabilities and vulnerable individuals, and decide whether there is an opportunity for CACoD to address. Commissioner Swanson reminded the commission that this concern has been brought to CACoD in the past, and that it is somewhat unique given it's overlapping affects - health impact vs. economic impact. There isn't enough available intelligence to make a well-framed recommendation at this point. Commissioner Kumiyama suggested an inquiry be made to the health department to see if there is any concrete data related to health affects of leaf blowers related to vulnerable populations. Commissioner Kumiyama agreed that leaf blowers are an important part of many people's livelihood and that any recommendations made in the future should be sensitive to that. Heather Van Wijk played a statement by Frances Emily Dawson Harris that recommended that all leaf blowers should be banned in the City of Long Beach, as 20 other cities have done in California in the past. Ms. Harris stated that there is a lot of noise and air pollution that occurs when leaf blowers are in use. Ms. Harris stated that a heath department report had been given to the City Council in June 2017 and that an update is to be provided 5 years from that date. Chair Cedeno recommended that the entire report Ms. Harris referenced be studied by CACoD and inquire with the health department if there are any updates to the June 2017 report. Chair Cedeno would not be comfortable recommending a complete ban without a public hearing that give landscapers and gardeners who use leaf blowers for their work a chance to speak on potential economic impacts. Commissioner Garate suggested that other landscaping tools that cause air and noise pollution be analyzed, too. What's the difference between leaf blowers and other types of machinery used? Have cities that have banned leaf blowers noticed a positive impact? This discussion was sent to the Accessibility, Transportation and Services standing committee. Page 4 of 8 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES 21-008CA Recommendation to write a letter to the Mayor, City Council and City Manager advocating for prioritized Covid-19 vaccinations for persons with disabilities of all ages. Chair Cedeno stated that this item was very timely given all of the discussions and advocacy happening around prioritizing vaccines for people with disabilities and how the current vaccine roll-out is impacting this sector. People with disabilities should be included in Tier 1B. Commissioner Kumiyama stated her frustrations lie in the fact that when there is discussion about some communities being more exposed to Covid-19 than others, society forgets how much people with disabilities depend on others for independence, including transportation, medical appointments, grocery delivery, etc. People without disabilities are able to isolate more safely than those with disabilities that rely on others. Another frustration is that people with disabilities are often 'lumped together' with senior citizens, which is often not an accurate assumption. This, in part, has led to people with disabilities being left out of the prioritized vaccine rollout. Commissioner Kumiyama recognized that there isn't enough vaccine available right now for those who are currently prioritized, but we should continue to champion vaccine prioritization for people with disabilities so that they are next in line when the allocations become more substantial. Chair Cedeno referenced the guidelines that the DREDF put together to advocate for vaccine prioritization and what the qualifiers could look like (for example, people with developmental disabilities that receive in-home support). Chair Cedeno stated that she has yet to hear the phrase 'people with disabilities' be stated publicly by our local officials during any discussions and recommended that the following be included in the letter: 1. Include reference and support for the DREDF guidelines and recommendations; 2. Long Beach prioritize vaccines for people with disabilities during the next rollout Commissioner McClain stated she doesn't understand/is angered that caregivers for people with disabilities have been prioritized for vaccines but the people they care for have not. Commissioner McClain mentioned that it was her understanding that people would be prioritized in Tier 1C, but was at a loss for how far away that may be and what exactly that means. Commissioner McClain stated that people with disabilities are again an afterthought, and not a before-thought. Commissioner McClain also recommended that the City find a Page 5 of 8 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES way to work better with our paratransit partners and getting people with disabilities better access to the vaccine sites. Commissioner Swanson added that age cannot be the only way to prioritize and language should be included in the letter that supports that. Additionally, VaxLB does not work. Telephonic response is challenged; 1000s of people are calling in. The portal needs to be redesigned. Commissioner Swanson also suggested the letter be sent to the State affiliate and the LA County affiliate. The letter needs to be very precise and state demands. Commissioner Vuong wondered why restaurant workers were being prioritized over high-risk people with disabilities. Commissioner Garate commented that there is a lack of awareness and understanding of how people with disabilities live and interact with the community. Our voice needs to be heard and repetitive, consistent; we need to be a part of the discussion. Chair Cedeno stated that the letter should be sent directly to the health department and the Office of Equity, in addition to the mayor and city council. Commissioner McClain asked about homebound people that are unable to travel to vaccine sites. Heather Van Wijk stated that the City is working to repurpose the mobile Covid-19 testing unit to a mobile vaccine unit. Public comment: Dear Commissioners, On behalf of Long Beach Forward, I would like to share our concerns about the lack of access and prioritization for community members with disabilities through the current COVID-19 vaccinations. Ensuring equitable access to vaccinations means appropriately planning and accounting for how community members with diverse abilities can safely and easily access vaccinations and navigate these systems. We stand in support of prioritizing our community members with disabilities and strongly urge this commission to advocate for the same. In solidarity and service, Marlene Montanez (She/ Her) Associate Director Long Beach Forward A motion was made by Commissioner Kumiyama, seconded by Secretary Vuong, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Page 6 of 8 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES Yes: 8 - Victor Garate, Chris Karadjov, Jennifer Kumiyama, Deaka McClain, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong, Stephen Adams and Nubia Flores Cedeno Absent: 1 - Elyse Ares AGENCY REPORTS Chair Cedeno reported that LB Rising Coalition is hosting a Covid-19 vaccine teach-in on February 24th. Chair Cedeno also shared the Councilman Richardson was hosting a virtual chat around transportation. Vice Chair Adams shared that The Children's Clinic was administering vaccines to the their 65+ patients. Commissioner Vuong shared that Tichenor Clinic has extra PPE if anyone needs it. Commissioner Garate reported that he has been listening in on different committee meetings that have been occurring around vaccine prioritization for people with disabilities. Commissioner Garate emphasized the need to stay involved, continue to make our voices heard - phone calls, emails, meeting participation. STAFF REPORT Heather Van Wijk reminded the commission of the ongoing, monthly collaborative meetings (1st Tuesday of every month); vaccine information line 562-570-4636 x6 or VaxLB; digital inclusion still accepting free tablet applications through February 12; design-build contracts awarded to three contractors for curb ramps; 2021 1st quarter transition plan report posted on City's ADA page on February 1st which states the City has built 241 new ramps and rebuilt 79 ramps this last quarter; the auditor's office released their library services audit on equity and access of library materials, programs and resources compared to the populations they serve; the White House recently announced that all daily press briefings would now include an ASL interpreter. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CLOSING REMARKS After 8+ years of wonderful service and advocacy, our friend and mentor Commissioner Deaka McClain, officially termed out. Thank you, Commissioner McClain! Page 7 of 8 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Disability History Week Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative Library Audit Crosswalk Discussion with Traffic Bureau ADJOURNMENT Chair Cedeno adjourned the meeting at 3:00 pm. Page 8 of 8