Commission for Persons with Disabilities

7725 W. North Avenue Wauwatosa, WI Wauwatosa, WI 53213 Commission for Persons with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, October 2, 2024 7:00 PM Zoom Only: https://servetosa.zoom.us/j/81064748721, Meeting ID: 810 6474 8721 Regular Meeting CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:04 PM. ROLL CALL Present 8 Member Heather Birk Member, Co-Chair Mary Callen Member, Co-Chair Elizabeth (BJ) Ermenc Member Scott Seis Member Mary Walz-Chojnacki Alderperson Liaison Joseph Makhlouf II Member Julia Murphy Member Nancy Hall Excused 1 Member Maddie Stencel Deb Falk-Palec, present Sarah Grimalkin, present Laurie Laurishke, present APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes of the September 4, 2024, regular meeting 24-1369 RESULT: APPROVED Aye: 7 Birk, Callen, Ermenc, Seis, Walz-Chojnacki, Makhlouf II, Murphy, and Hall Excused: 1 Stencel NEW BUSINESS 1. Crip Camp screening 24-1370 Mary Walz-Chojnacki reported that the Crip Camp screening, sponsored by the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, will be held in the Wauwatosa Library Firefly Room on Sunday, Oct . 6 from 1-4. Publicity is out, interpreters and CART have been ordered . Snacks will not be served due to time constraints. Librarians will prepare a list of relevant books to display for the event . Commission brochures will be placed on each seat for informational purposes. RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY Page 1 of 3 Commission for Persons with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Final October 2, 2024 2. Wauwatosa special education 24-1371 RESULT: HELD 3. Wauwatosa park and open space plan 24-1372 Wauwatosa Park and Open Space Plan -Sarah Grimalkin, Parks and Landscape Manager, shared the strategic and resource plan which offers a vision and guide for the next 5-10 years . The department worked with the DNR to do an inventory and needs analysis. They will seek public feedback and staff recommendations, look at trends and consider park use . The project kicked off in August, during the fall they will conduct public outreach and interview stakeholders. In winter with a consultant, they will draft a plan, in spring 2025, a final plan will be sent to the DNR. Public meetings are scheduled and there are opportunities for online and email comments. OPEN HOUSE on OCT 17, 5:30- for feedback, and Dec. 5, 5:30-7 for ideas at the Muellner building. Contact sgrimaklin@wauwatosa.net or https://engage.wauwatosa.net park and open space plan. Parks are Hart, Webster, Root Commons and Hartung. Disability input is sought to make things better with inclusionary practices. RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY 4. Community Dialog event 24-1373 RESULT: HELD 5. Parade accessibility zone report 24-1374 Alder Joe Mahklouf reported that both the Sensory Friendly zone and the Accessibility zone were well received during the 4th of July parade. The Civic Celebration committee met in Sept. and Joe, Deb and Mary Callen attended to follow up. The CC chair reported some negative comments. We strongly advocated for use of these zones in next year’s parade . A responsible party will need to be identified to communicate with the parade units for 2025 to have full compliance with the sensory zone guidelines . A report about the parade will be attached to the commission’s report to the Governmental Affairs this year . The report was received positively at the CC. Thanks to Eva Enamorata for printing all the feedback for consideration. An additional note: Wauwatosa has a Para-Olympic Gold medalist, Hailey Danz . RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY 6. Commission report to Government Affairs 24-1375 Scheduled for Dec. 10. Mary will prepare the report for the commission’s approval for our Nov . Meeting. RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY 7. Leadership for Commission 24-1376 Commissioners are considering how to structure our leadership roles for the future . Laurie Laurishke will investigate the Wauwatosa bylaws for commission leadership. BJ will investigate the process for enrolling new members to our commission. RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY ALDERMANIC COMMITTEE LIAISON REPORT Alder Mahklouf reported that the budget process for 2025 has begun . 3 police positions and 1 firefighter position remain unfilled. A $15 wheel tax is proposed, and the donation to the Housing Trust funded is proposed to be rescinded . AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING - NOVEMBER 20, 2024 A lawsuit has been filed in LA and Chicago requiring that accessibility be addressed when housing trust funds are used . A Housing Advocacy group meets out of Independence First on the 1st Tuesday of the month . Robin Palm of Racine is involved. Page 2 of 3 Commission for Persons with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Final October 2, 2024 ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:57 PM. Page 3 of 3