Commission For Persons With Disabilities

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting August 2, 2018, 6:00 PM Room 319, Norwich City Hall Minutes • Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. • Attendance Present: Kevin Harkins, Victor Harley, Cynthia Litton, Laurieann Messore, Chair Elanah Sherman Absent: Lottie Scott • Determination of Quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present (5/6). • Approval of July 12, 2018 Minutes: On a motion from Kevin, seconded by Elanah, the Minutes were unanimously approved as presented. • Citizen Comments: None • Communications: None • Old Business 1) Commission Vacancies: No changes. 2) Disability Awareness Week: A Municipal Roundtable, on Friday, October 12th at 10 AM, has been added to the calendar. The event will feature city officials. Invitees will include Brigid Marks (ADA Coordinator), Ryan Thompson (Director of NPU), a representative from the Norwich Police Community Intervention Team, and others. Kevin has not been able to make contact with the Mayor regarding a Proclamation, but will continue to try. Norwich Public Utilities has agreed to fund the banner. The banner will include the name of the event, dates, location (Otis Library) and contact information. The banner will also include the key words Independence, Rights, and Access, each separated by a bullet. Commissioners authorized Elanah to approve the final version of the banner and to create a flyer. Confirmed schedule (all events at Otis Library): Tuesday, October 9: ABCs of ADA (Elanah), Community Room, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM. (This event will be part of the library’s Lunch ‘n Learn Series. The library will provide pizza and beverages.)  Wednesday, October 10: Resource Fair, Community Room, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Presentation on Special Needs Trusts, Community Room, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM Thursday, October 11: No events scheduled because of CT Cross- Disability Alliance candidates’ forum in Cromwell. Friday, October 12: Municipal Roundtable, Community Room, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Blue Soul Jazz Unit, Otis Atrium, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Saturday, October 13: Legislative Forum, Community Room, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Still not confirmed: Service animal demonstration, Community Room, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. 3) By-laws Update: No news • New Business: 1) Motorized Wheelchair Charging Stations: A community member has requested of several City departments that charging stations be installed along the route he frequents. After being informed of the issue, Elanah met with him; during that meeting, she made clear to him that any future installation of such stations would need to be part of a generalized approach that benefitted the most people. Elanah said she would be open to helping create a unified plan via a task force that would include community members and City officials/employees. She suggested (and all agreed) that we revisit the issue after October. 2) Taste of Italy: The festival will be at the Marina on Saturday, September 8th, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Elanah will contact the organizers to reserve a space (in the shade) and will contact the City about providing a table. Shift coverage: 10:00 AM (for set-up) - 1:00 PM Elanah and Kevin 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Victor 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Laurie and Cyndi 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Kevin and Elanah • Adjournment: On a motion from Elanah, seconded by Laurie, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM. The next meeting will be at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 6th, 2018 at Norwich City Hall in Room 319. Meeting Minutes written by Ivery Stakley on August 2nd, 2018; revised by Elanah Sherman on August 10.