HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-2012_MinutesMilton Disability Awareness Committee
Meeting Minutes
February 1, 2012
In Attendance: Gary Arnold, Van Black, Anise Castleberry, Renee Catanzaro, Sudie Gordon,
Sharon Lockwood, Amanda Quintana, Kennard Woods, Bruce Smitherman.
Kennard Woods called the meeting to order.
The minutes for January 11, 2012 were approved as submitted.
Updates/Old Business:
The upcoming Community Link for Canine Assistants was discussed along with the public
notifications of same. A good attendance is anticipated.
Discussions ensued with regards to having flyers and save the date cards available to attendees
for upcoming Community Link presentations.
Anise will present for Autism Speaks in the month of April and Ken is still working with Tom
Kohler on a future presentation date.
Ken provided an update with regards to disability bills. The Assistant Animal bill was touched
upon with Gary providing clarification on ADA's update to the definition of service animals
being specifically restricted to dogs solely.
The proposed amendment to MDA's Resolution to enable members of the MDAC Board to
reside or be employed in the City of Milton was reviewed and goes before council next week.
Board elections will take place at our next meeting for terms that are due to expire 3/31.
New Business:
How does MDAC become apprised of issues other than attending all board and council
meetings? To what extent can MDAC be involved with the processes in hopes of aiding the
City?
The group discussed spearheading a list of questions regarding pertinent topics and then
inviting city department heads to join a future meeting. The hope of developing a more
seamless approach to meeting needs at projects beginnings instead of risking having to correct
after construction, and furthermore being an overall good steward of providing the group's
resources and expertise/experience regarding the understanding of accessibility issues.
Sudie suggested starting with Kathleen Field, Community Development Director and Robyn
MacDonald, City Planner. Sudie indicated she would share a broad/general list of the topics we
have brought up and invite them to address the Committee at our next meeting.
We discussed a public forum for training merchants and Gary indicated that Canine Assistants
would love to be a resource for the City for merchant's education regarding assistant dogs.
Amanda and Sharon are going to Eleanor Smith's house in Decatur where all the homes in the
community are accessible. The group will meet at Scoops on Friday, 2/3 at 9:30.
The next meeting will take place: Wednesday, March 7, 2012 @ 7:00 pm in the Executive
Conference Room.
The meeting was adjourned.
Minutes Submitted By: Renee Catanzaro
Minutes Approved By: A�e�,0-?-K
Kennard Woods/Chair
Date Approved: J •6-1-. /?.