City of Santa Fe Mayor's Committee on Disability met May 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
10:03 AM
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Member Aurore Bleck
Member Kendra Garcia
Member Kathlyne Gish
Member Pam Parfitt
Member Meriam Jawhar
Member Jose "Eli" Fresquez
Members Excused:
Member Hope Reed
Member Angelique Montoya-Chavez
Others Attending:
Tom Graham, ADA Coordinator
Erin McSherry, Attendee
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
a. Discussion Regarding In-Person Meetings Notice from City of Santa Fe (Kathlyne Gish)
7(b) Chair Gish brought up the City Mandate to return to in-person meetings and told the MCD about The City Attorney’s, City Manager’s, Mr. Graham’s and her efforts to maintain safe remote meetings for accessibility purposes during the pandemic and moving forward.
Chair Gish introduced Erin McSherry, City Attorney, to answer any questions and provide any updates. She mentioned that a Bill was introduced by Councilor Romero-Wirth and Councilor Cassutt, removing the City’s requirement for remote participation as a general option not requiring participation to be difficult or impossible, or under an emergency order and then stood for questions.
Chair Gish mentioned the ADA rights article included in the packet about the Attorney General in Michigan that clearly outlined how the ADA applies to the Open meetings Act (OMA) and Ms. McSherry pointed out that different states and different jurisdictions have different rules, but is looking forward to reviewing the article.
Chair Gish asked what the steps would be to attend an in-person meeting remotely? Mr. Graham and Ms. McSherry pointed out that the City is still working on the technology to hold hybrid meetings.
Chair Gish and Mr. Graham thanked Ms. McSherry for her participation in the meeting before she left the meeting for a prior engagement.
Chair Gish agreed to send Ms. McSherry any additional questions from MCD members. Member Parfitt was wondering if the mask mandate changes whether we’re in a hot spot, or not? Member Parfitt understands that masks are currently optional and can be worn if desired, but are not mandatory and she stated that (because of her disability) she cannot attend a meeting (in-person or remotely) if masks are being worn. She stated that the only truly accessible solution is CART services.
Chair Gish voiced her opinion that the remote meetings have increased accessibility since the pandemic and is considering holding a vote to maintain the MCD’s support of remaining remote in the foreseeable future.
Member Bleck suggested putting it on the agenda for the next meeting.
MOTION: Member Bleck moved, seconded by Member Parfitt, to approve the alteration of the order of agenda as amended; to proceed immediately with Item 7(b) following the approval of the agenda and then reverting back to the original agenda order as submitted.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Bleck, Member Garcia, Member Gish, Member Parfitt, Member Jawhar
Against: None
Abstain: None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. April 21, 2022 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Member Bleck moved, seconded by Member Garcia, to approve the minutes as amended.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Bleck, Member Garcia, Member Gish, Member Parfitt, Member Jawhar
Against: None
Abstain: None
Member Bleck pointed out typographical errors and requested changes to the language used regarding her participation.
Member Parfitt requested a change to a word regarding her participation.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS (15 MINUTES TOTAL)
a. Public Comments from Website
None from website.
Constituent Mark Garcia attended the meeting and made a public comment regarding hearing directed sound toward him wherever he goes that is putting his and his mom’s life in jeopardy. He had initially contacted Mr. Graham about this in 2018 and was wondering if Mr. Graham had any additional information from his initial response in 2018 about any person in Santa Fe using direct sound to target residents?
Mr. Graham offered his help to Mr. Garcia if he would like to send an email with specifics and staff members that Mr. Garcia would like for him to reach out to.
Mr. Garcia also wondered about the City Attorney’s thoughts regarding a story in Boston Massachusetts that wouldn’t allow a Christian flag to be displayed at City Hall (as far as OMA and discrimination)? Ms. McSherry was no longer in the meeting, but Mr. Graham offered to forward an Email from Mr. Garcia to her if he wanted to send his question to her.
b. Letter to the Editor – Warning: Trapped in city parking garage
Chair Gish read the article from a letter to the editor by Greg Kroll that was included in the packet.
Chair Gish read response from the Parking Division Director who was aware of the incident and has taken corrective measures to address it.
Chair Gish asked about phone number to contact for issues and if there is a more automated card pass system (similar to the one’s used by City Employees available to make it more accessible.
Mr Graham said that he was told that signage exists with a phone number to call if a situation occurs, but it was his opinion that the City would not issue passes such as those used by City Employees because of the possibility of misuse, but he would be happy to ask if Chair Gish would send any specific questions that she would like Mr. Graham to ask the Parking Division Director.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. Accessible Emergency Sheltering (Eli Fresquez)
Member Fresquez spoke about Access and Functional Needs for Emergency Sheltering during the current state of wild fires across New Mexico. How they must comply with the ADA, even temporary facilities must comply with the ADA Standards to eliminate physical barriers and to be non-discriminatory in their programs and services.
7. ACTION ITEMS: DISCUSSION
a. Finalizing of MCD Priorities for 2022 - 2023 (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish discussed PTSD items on list and how they would be addressed. She also addressed and discussed Member Bleck’s overall suggestions.
Member Bleck offered that she was trying to assist and relieve pressure from Chair Gish with her suggestions. Vice Chair Garcia offered to assist Chair Gish on the PTSD Subcommittee, also.
MOTION: Member Garcia moved, seconded by Member Parfitt, to approve the MCD Priorities for 2022-2023 with the corrections as discussed for both Category and Subcommittee as amended and send the Priorities by Category list to the people identified on the letter that was approved during the previous meeting.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Bleck, Member Garcia, Member Gish, Member Parfitt, Member Jawhar, Member Fresquez
Against: None
Abstain: None
b. Discussion Regarding Notice for MCD Committee Membership (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish discussed the single application that was received from the posting requesting applicants. Unfortunately the person that applied would not be able to attend meetings on a regular basis, so it was suggested that the applicant be added to the Brain Injury subcommittee Chaired by Member Jawhar and she would be invited to attend any MCD meetings she would be able to attend and provide her input. Member Jawhar has reached out to the constituent to invite her as discussed.
Chair Gish was wondering about the methods of the posting and using social media to expand the search and possibly provide more response.
Member Fresquez agreed that social media would be a good avenue to explore.
Mr. Graham agreed to resend the advertisement to the City personnel responsible for this and ask about using more social media avenues and would forward the advertisement to Chair Gish for her to use as she sees fit.
c. Updates re Letter on Accommodations for a Stenographer/CART (Eli Fresquez)
MOTION: Member Bleck moved, seconded by Member Parfitt, to approve the letter requesting an accommodation for a Stenographer/CART services as amended.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Bleck, Member Garcia, Member Gish, Member Parfitt, Member Jawhar, Member Fresquez
Against: None
Abstain: None
Member Gish provided an edit for clarity to the draft letter and Member Bleck pointed out a date discrepancy and suggested that a verb in the first paragraph was not in the correct form.
8. OLD BUSINESS
A. MCD Sub-Committee Reports
Member Bleck asked for follow up from Fire Department for their opinion on the emergency information packets for first responders?
Member Bleck also mentioned that the Transit Advisory Board is coming back to life. She mentioned that she thought at least two drivers lost their lives to COVID. The current Chair is stepping down and the new Chair will be Mr. Maes from the Community College.
Member Parfitt relayed an update to the noise ordinance regarding traffic noise and noise caused by musical events.. She met with Mr. Graham, Kyra Ochoa, Director of Community Health and Services and Police Chief Joye. Regarding traffic noise, until more police officers are hired and sound level meters are budgeted, the police department is unable to do much based on triaging the more dangerous calls before this. Because of the unavailability of funds and manpower, she has put her letter on hold. Regarding the noise caused by musical events, she has been unable to receive the needed responses to produce the letter.
Chair Gish reinforced that the letter can be more general to identify the support of the MCD for this purpose as opposed to proving the solutions. Chair Gish and Member Bleck offered to assist Member Parfitt in putting together a letter of support.
Member Fresquez provided a link to Global Accessibility Awareness Day which is today.
9. MATTERS FROM STAFF
a. A link to the video recording of this meeting will be added to the Meeting Minutes for this meeting
https://santafenm
gov.zoom.us/rec/share/QC6qV_JlZxiQ4YUcK_TXDhq8i6zcEs5_tU_GZdUoiuLz3_Jz34W8qGOyaU-4TG35.YfJIwMmykds5k5Bd? startTime=1652975871000
Passcode: GmC*b1K+
b. ADA Coordinator resignation and search for new ADA Coordinator
Mr. Graham notified the MCD that he’s accepted another position within the City of Santa Fe at the Land Use Department, but will still be with the City and plans to provide any support possible within his new position. The search for a new ADA Coordinator will be forthcoming at the Public Works Director’s discretion.
10. MATTERS FROM THE COMMITTEE
None.
11. NEXT MEETING: June 16 2022
12. ADJOURN
Adjourned at 12:10 PM.
https://santafe.primegov.com/public/portal