Elections - Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary
Adam Kruse provides an overview of the 3 positions and their roles on the Commission:
Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary. Adam provides an overview of the annual election process
for the commission. The Commission discusses the position of Chair.
Ann Marie Gortmaker makes a motion to elect Jacque Sample as the Chair of the
Commission. Jonathan Asher seconds the motion. All in favor; motion approved.
The Commission discusses the position of Vice-Chair.
Jacque Sample makes a motion to elect Jonathan Asher as Vice-Chair of the
Commission. Patrika Brown seconds the motion. All in favor; motion approved.
The Commission discusses the position of Secretary.
John Bowders makes a motion to elect Patrika Brown as Secretary. All in favor;
motion approved.
Discussion on accessibility concerns with downtown sidewalks, including
feedback from Encircle
Jacque Sample discusses concerns with outdoor seating areas, and that some of these
downtown are obstructing into the clear space needed for pedestrians. The Commission
members discussed this issue. The Commission members would like to learn more
about the requirements under the ordinances. Members also discussed potentially
creating outreach material for businesses about what is required. The Commission
members also discussed an email that the City received from Encircle, an educational
program within Woodhaven, which talked about some of the issues the group identified to
improve accessibility of pedestrian walkways. The Commission members discussed
these concerns directly including trash and debris, using blended transition curb ramps
versus directional curb ramps and a discussion on audible pedestrian signals. The
Commission members wished to keep this as an agenda topic for the December
meeting.
Transit Training on ADA and Title VI
Adam Kruse discussed that he annually provides legal and disability-related training for
transit on the ADA and Title VI. In addition to his regular training, he will discuss service
animal etiquette with the staff.
Remembering Dawn Zeterberg
The Commission discussed opportunities to honor longtime Commission member Dawn
Zeterberg who recently passed away. Patrika Brown raised an idea that maybe the City
could recognize Dawn post-mortem as part of the Chuck Graham Disability Ambassador
Award. Cathy Dolles discussed Christy Welliver’s memorial at Stephens Lake Park and
believed that might be a nice thing to honor Dawn. Commission members discussed
other memories of Dawn and ideas. Jacque Sample discussed the idea of awarding local
businesses and restaurants an award recognizing accessibility and this award could be
called a “Dawn Z” in honor of Dawn’s work and presence in the community. Vera Elwood
discussed this idea further as it was something Vera learned more about at the ADA
Symposium, and that an organization that did this started with restaurants and branched
out to other things like movie theaters and other businesses. Rene Powell agreed and
said that Empower Ability in Springfield, Missouri has something like this. The
Commission members liked this idea. Patrika Brown said she loved the idea and thinks
the logo should be an image of a wheelchair with a flag on it similar to Dawn’s chair. The
Commission members would like to further explore this idea, and to keep that on a future
agenda.
VIII. REPORTS
Future Agenda Items
