HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-2013_Minutes MDACMilton Disability Awareness Committee
Meeting Minutes
March 13,2013
Committee Members In Attendance: Ken Woods, Renee Catanzaro, Van Black, Gary
Arnold, Dudley Arnold, and Tass Welch.
MDAC Liaison: Sudie Gordon
Guest: Wayne Boston interim chair of Better Together
Ken called the meeting to order.
There was a motion by Gary Arnold to approve the minutes and second by Renee.
Minutes approved. Ken signed off on minutes for meetings.
• Wayne shared about Better Together and his role with Better Together and the
city. Wayne is the interim chair. He invited us to join them and to work together.
He talked about Living Room conversations that are planned. Meetings in April
will be at Bethwell.
• Ken shared that one of the challenges is that it is not a community of disabled
people it is multiple communities. Therefore, each group gets focused on "its
thing". The challenge is to interact with each group. We could be in better
communication with each other. Better Together is a natural fit. Better Together
meets twice a month. Focus is people with disability and those that don't always
get involved with the community. Ken shared that he got involved with the
Hickory Flat firestaion landscaping project that was a grant of Better Together.
• Sudie shared about Smart 911 and photos needed. Then, she shared about the
Volunteer Appreciation Day and ken shared that it would be a great way to meet
other volunteers and to network.
• Renee asked if anyone knew where a packet that was to be given out for business
that was at the beginning of the MDAC. It was a tool to be given out to new
businesses. So, Renee and Gary are going to find that documentation. If the
documents cannot be found then we will recreate it.
• Building code should reinforce ADA requirements. So, at start up and when
changes are made then the city would have a time to evaluate codes. We want to
educate them and be proactive to help make it something that would be helpful.
We need to work with the city at the point of new businesses to be proactive.
At our Community Links, JD Frazier a builder that came and presented a slide show that
showed ADA guidelines in a real way with people. We can see violations and take a
photo and educate at that moment.
Would be great if the welcome wagon concept could be used. Gary stated that it would be
great to utilize the companies. Milton Business Alliance has a small bag to newcomers,
and we could utilize that.
Old Business:
Talked about card that committee started and then handed over to Jason for help. Renee
and Gary thought that the wording was too much on the back. Leave front of card with
MDAC and the mission statement and city logo. Lose some of what is on the back.
Don't need the city's address. Tass stated we would take it back to the committee. The
committee will take a look at it and bring it back to next meeting. Renee stated that it is
hard to get a photo to represent all of the disabilities. This will be a real challenge. Would
be great if we could get the committee members to find and send photos that we might
have. How to get someone in a wheelchair and someone with a cane that shows visual
problems and so on without it being too much. Sudie to send out what Jason has done.
Renee stated that we should take out the verbiage on front of page. So, Renee and group
made changes on the page for Sudie to take back to Jason.
Everyone took a moment to look at bullet points and then decided if we need to take
some ofit. So, comments were made for Sudie to take back to Jason. Let's take this to
committee to finish it up. Sudie shared that she has a part of her budget to make 500
cards for $60.00. She is not using that line item now.
No other old business.
New Business:
Need to have election for committee member to take Anise's place and for Ken's spot.
Ken's term is up at this time. Renee made a motion for Ken to continue with a new term
of 2 years. Gary Arnold seconded the motion. The committee voted and it was unanimous
for Ken to continue on the committee.
Next, item is to elect an acting or permanent chair, Ken will step down as chair. Renee
stated that Tass is willing to step up as permanent not acting. Renee moved that Tass be
the new chair and Van seconded the motion. Discussion about role was started and the
fact that this is a cheerleader, the vision making person and to attend the meetings. The
chair would be the contact person the face for MDAC. Vote was unanimous for chair to
be Tass.
The other position will have to be voted on as we find a person. Gary mentioned that
there are a couple of recipients that might want to do this. It has to be a person that lives
or works in the City of Milton. Needs to have a connection with the city. Wayne stated
that there might be someone on Better Together team that would be interested.
Tass can delegate someone to take minutes at the meeting on a rotating basis.
Gary Arnold made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Tass Welch seconded the motion.
Vote was unanimous to adjourn.
Minutes Submitted By: Tass Welch
Tass Welch, Chair