Commission for Persons with Disabilities

7725 W. North Avenue Wauwatosa, WI Wauwatosa, WI 53213 Commission for Persons with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, November 20, 2024 7:00 PM Zoom Only: https://servetosa.zoom.us/j/81064748721, Meeting ID: 810 6474 8721 Regular Meeting CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM. ROLL CALL Present 9 Member Heather Birk Member, Co-Chair Mary Callen Member, Co-Chair Elizabeth (BJ) Ermenc Member Scott Seis Member Maddie Stencel Member Mary Walz-Chojnacki Alderperson Liaison Joseph Makhlouf II Member Julia Murphy Member Nancy Hall Julie Alexander, present Laurie Laurishke, present Deb Falk-Palec, present Stacy Klemm, present APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes of the October 2, 2024, regular meeting 24-1650 RESULT: APPROVED Aye: 8 Birk, Callen, Ermenc, Seis, Stencel, Walz-Chojnacki, Makhlouf II, Murphy, and Hall NEW BUSINESS 1. Wauwatosa Special Education, invitation to staff to commission 24-1651 meetings Stacy Klemm reported that the department is focused on training special education teachers, coaches and all staff to be a part of the team meetings, focused on expectations for this year in order to be prepared for procedural compliance for IEPs, looked at the evaluation process with a focus on data, rather than individual performance within the department. Stacy and the members of the department are planning to better meet the needs of students through a close look at instructional interventions with coaches and teachers. Stacy is also preparing for the 5yr DPI evaluation and how well Tosa is meeting indicators such Page 1 of 3 Commission for Persons with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Final November 20, 2024 as having parents involved. The department will post outcomes of post-graduation surveys. The 2024 school funding referendum passed, and schools need to be ADA compliant . The commission will invite Kevin LaFountain, Director of Buildings and Facilities, who is touring buildings in January and February 2025 and making plans in March thru May regarding ADA compliance . See the RFP for proposed projects at the school website. https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/wauw/Board.nsf/files/DB9REW6DB105/$file/CM%20Recommendation%20- %202024%20Capital%20Referendum.pdf Stacy invited Addison Scharlau to be the commission’s student representative . She is a senior at West HS and has been involved in the classroom with special ed students and unified gym classes . RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY 2. Housing- Two Story communication project with the Health Dept 24-1652 Mary WC reported that Two Story has been working with the Health Dept on a grant-funded communication campaign to educate and inform Wauwatosans about affordable and accessible housing and its role in creating a healthy community. The commission will invite Mark Hammond, our new city development director, to a meeting in the spring to communicate about affordable, accessible housing in Tosa. RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY 3. Commission Report to Governmental Affairs 24-1653 Mary has prepared the commission’s report for 2024 and asks all commissioners to read though it and send comments by Nov. 29th. The commission will present its report on Dec. 10 to the Governmental Affairs committee. We will bring brochures and the disability flag. RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY 4. Froedtert reception area transition to QR code 24-1654 BJ asked to investigate any changes in the waiting areas at Froedtert hospital . After discussion, the commission decided to put this on hold. RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY 5. Leadership for Commission 24-1655 Laurie Laurishke sent the bylaws for commissions, and it is acceptable to have more than one chair/co-chair, so the commission will carry on with BJ, Mary Callen and Mary WC sharing responsibilities for preparing agendas, minutes and hosting the meetings . RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY 6. Commission phone number and email address 24-1656 RESULT: REFERRED 7. Health dept. study on isolation 24-1657 BJ reported that the health dept. is exploring the isolation in our community through focus groups. It is essential that communication include paper notices since not everyone has digital access . Barriers such a transportation, childcare and others are considered . RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY Page 2 of 3 Commission for Persons with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Final November 20, 2024 8. Drone show for July 4th 24-1658 Alder Makhlouf reported that the drone show will cost $5000 more and last only 15 minutes, half as long as the fireworks show. The drone show will be held on July 2 at Hart Park in conjunction with Tosa Tonight music. The parade will be held in the morning of July 4th as usual. Civic Celebration committee would like a proposal from our commission about plans for sensory zone and accessible parking for 2025 . RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY ALDERMANIC COMMITTEE LIAISON REPORT 1. Aldermanic update 24-1659 Alder Makhlouf reported that the CC passed the annual operational and capital improvement budget, with 6% increase in tax levy. Passed a $15 wheel tax. 2 positions unfilled in police and 1 in Fire. The city contribution to the Affordable Housing fund is cut. RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY DATE OF NEXT MEETING: December 4, 2024 ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 9:12 PM. Page 3 of 3