Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities Committee Minutes Hybrid Meeting, hosted virtually via Zoom and in person at Tacoma Municipal Building Friday July 14, 2023 Call to Order Vice Chair Sidhu called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM Commissioners Present Commissioner Chair Hester Vice Chair Sidhu Barfield Byram Caldwell Holloway Willet Williams Monteros Commissioners Absent None absent City Staff Present Lucas Smiraldo Guests Present – Community Julian Wheeler, Hayley Edick, Ivan Tudela Ice Breaker What is a cool beverage or treat you enjoyed as a child or teenager? Adoption of Agenda Commissioner Williams made a motion to adopt the July 14 agenda. Commissioner Holloway seconded the motion. The ayes have it and the agenda is approved. Acceptance of Minutes Commissioner Williams made a motion to adopt the May 12 Minutes Commissioner Holloway seconded the motion. The ayes have it and minutes were adopted. Public Comment Julian Wheeler shared that ADA will celebrate its 33rd anniversary in Washington DC and several Pierce and Tacoma representatives will be there. Hayley Edick announced Pierce County Assoc. for Blind will hold annual picnic on July 29th Chair Report Vice Chair Sidhu * Praised the Pride Celebration in downtown Tacoma. * Just returned from Philippines and Manilla and received a different perspective about how the nation and city accommodate people with disabilities. Tony Amin Hester, Chair arrived later in the meeting and offered his report which is captured here * Big day for transportation and advocacy including: * New Trip Planner Click App that will enable folks with disabilities to connect bus, van pool. Shuttle and other forms of transportation into a single web to make transportation more accessible. * Working with the Center for Independence to build systems of user functionality and accessibility. * ACAC is working with County Council Mello and others on transportation. * Working with ACAC on Hopelink through Trish and re-establishing a presence on the transportation advisory team to include disability voice. * July 29th meeting to discuss accessible trail systems. * Recruiting for 13-15 members of PCAC and currently only have 5-7 that are regular attendees. * August 18, 3-7 PM will be picnic from PCAC for general public at Fort Steilacoom Park Liaison Report – Office of Equity & Human Rights – Lucas Smiraldo Lucas shared an update on his health status after taking three weeks of medical PTO * Accessible Taxi Report – The feasibility study draft in once again in Director Woods hands and she will give an update at the next meeting as to the next steps for the report as well as process for Aging an Livability. * Joint CBC Meeting with TPD on April 26 – A report is being developed on the meeting to be share with CVS soon and commissioners will be invited to join at that meeting once it is scheduled. * Internal Digital Accessibility Project. - Continues to meet until a recommendation for citywide update plan is developed. Commissioners will be invited to review and enhance that draft. - Current phase is doing preliminary research on best practices adopted by other cities or government agencies. * 64th & Pac Ave celebration was a success with over 20 participants including the City Manager and Public Works Dir. and TACOD leadership * City of Tacoma Racial Equity Action Plans (REAPs). Developing a racial equity assessment for each department. Appreciations for Outgoing Commissioners including Monteros, Byram, Willett and Smaby and Parsons Commissioners shared deep appreciations for Commissioners who have served TACOD. Comments included; On Monteros—Creates solutions based on her lived experience and presents in a way that can be humanized and understood. Offers details. Illuminates the room. On Parson—Invited Barfield to TACOD and helped welcome him. Cares deeply for rights of immigrants and refugees and human rights at detention center. Helped move feasibility study forward. On Byram—He amazes us. Proud of his new work and position. Brings forward issues and presenters we need to hear about and from. On Willett—Brought consistency and deep involvement. On Smaby—Deeply concerned about intersection accessibility and contributed to build better accessible roadways and pedestrian pathways. Emergency Management— Todd Holloway Statewide internal assessment underway around emergency preparedness. Working with group to develop accessible messaging through Dept of Health for those with disabilities or language differences. Need to establish a source for trusted messaging in emergency situations. Too many sources without a clear origin. Need to establish plan and centers for seniors and others for cooling centers, and air scrubbers as standard operations with global warming. Ivan Tudela – Pierce County Human Services Had to leave early. Report from PCAC — Tony Hester Covered in Chair Report Committee Reports Accessible Taxi—Rebecca Parson, Lukas Barfield, Krystal Monteros, Todd Holloway—(Report Integrated Into Liaison Report Above) Public Works—Advisory Meeting Report—Tony Caldwell and other members including Tony Amin Hester, Krystal Monteros and Luke Byram. Individual Commissioner Reports None Invitation for Community Input Guest Haley Edick s asked about the accessibility issues for the blind attending busy farmers markets New Business or Good of the Order Barfield would like commission to endorse current initiative to support enhanced tenants’ rights. Believes the alternative initiative advanced by the city is not as powerful. Questions: Can TACOD endorse an initiative? If so, would like to ask for a vote in August meeting. Mr. Smiraldo encouraged further context provided by ChiQuata Elder who had some input on the alternative initiative and can offer some historical perspective Adjournment Commissioner Holloway made a motion to adjourn meeting 2nd by Sidhu. Motion passed.