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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-7-14Nantucket Commission on Disability Minutes Open Session Tuesday, July 14, 2015 Murray Room at the Founder's Building Present: Mickey Rowland, Jeanette Topham, Georgia Snell, Phil Hubbard, Maribeth Maloney, Karenlynn Williams, Penny Snow, and Brenda McDonough Absent: All present Guests: Call to Order: 3:41 p.m. Agenda: Mr. Rowland stated, by unanimous consent we are adopting the agenda. Note: Before the meeting was called to order, Ms. Snell mentioned that she would like to see a yellow line painted down the middle of Gardner Road. When a vehicle approaches Union Street at Dover Street, Ms. Snow reported that drivers cannot see the oncoming traffic coming from the intersection of Francis Street and Union Street because of the landscaping at the Lightship Basket Museum. Minutes: The members who attended February's meeting were Mickey Rowland, Georgia Snell, Penny Snow and Karenlynn Williams. Ms. Snell motioned to approve February 10, 2015 minutes, which Ms. Snow seconded, and Mr. Rowland and Ms. Williams voted in favor of this motion. The members who attended March's meeting were Mickey Rowland, Alex Rosenberg, Penny Snow and Jeanette Topham. Ms. Topham motioned to approve March 10, 2015 minutes, which Ms. Snow seconded, and Mr. Rowland voted in favor of this motion. Ms. Snell motioned to approve May 12, 2015 minutes, which Ms. Topham seconded, and all the present, remaining Commission members, except Ms. Snow who abstained, voted in favor of this motion. Topics: 3:43 p.m. Election of Officers: Ms. Topham nominated Mr. Rowland as Chairman, which Ms. Snell seconded, and all the remaining, present Commission members voted in favor of this motion. Ms. Topham motioned to nominate Ms. Snell as Vice Chairwoman, which Ms. Snow seconded, and all the remaining, present Commission members voted in favor of this motion. Ms. Topham motioned to nominate Ms. Williams as Secretary, which Ms. Snell seconded, and all the remaining, present Commission members voted in favor of this motion. 3:48 p.m. Assistive Listening Devices Recently, Ms. Snow attended a Behavior Health Symposium at the Nantucket Hotel, and the hotel did not provide assistive listening devices, therefore Ms. Snow was unable to hear anything that the speakers were saying. She asked the Commission to send a letter to the Nantucket Hotel, White Elephant, Yacht Clubs, and the Police Station, and request that they provide assistive listening devices for their guests who require them. Ms. Snow also mentioned that the Dreamland's studio does not have assistive listening devices. Ms. Williams has concerns regarding the companion seating at the Dreamland. She is wondering if they are it is properly identified as companion seating, and that it would be nice if the Dreamland had a policy for their companion seating. Ms. McDonough will contact the Dreamland and discuss this with them, and she will send letters to the venues mentioned above regarding assistive listening devices. 4:00 p.m. Number of Commission Members Mr. Rowland stated that according to our By -Laws, our Commission can have anywhere from five to nine members. He was wondering if we should amend our By- Laws to limit our membership to seven members. The Commission members discussed this topic, and voted to think about it and discuss it the next time that we meet. 4:10 p.m. Executive Decision for Temporary Parking Permits: Presently, the Chairman alone has been authorized to approve permanent, disabled parking permit applications under specific guidelines. Applicants, who apply for a temporary parking permit, could also benefit from this policy if the Chairman had the authority to approve those temporary applications. Mr. Rowland, Chairman, stated that he would be more comfortable with approving temporary permits if he had one other Commission member reviewing the application, and then the two of them could discuss approval of the application. The Commission voted to allow the Chairman/Chairwoman and one other member the authority to approve temporary permits. We will amend our By -Laws to reflect this change. Other Business: 4:05 p.m. Ms. Snow wondered if the Athenaeum could restripe their steps, because it greatly benefits their elderly patrons and their patrons who have sight impairments. Ms. McDonough will contact the Athenaeum and request that they restripe their steps. • Ms. Williams stated that the school does not have any accommodations for students who have vision impairments. She mentioned when people do not have binocular vision, their depth perception is distorted. • Ms. Maloney wondered if we could request more accessible parking spaces at the Stop &Shop on Pleasant Street, because the accessible parking spaces are in high demand, especially in the summer season. After some discussion, we plan to request four, temporary, accessible parking spaces for the summer season (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend). There are two car -pool parking spaces adjacent to the accessible parking spaces at the Stop &Shop, and the Commission wondered who is authorized to use those spaces. Maybe those spaces could be changed to accessible parking spaces. Ms. McDonough will send a letter requesting the temporary parking spaces. • Ms. Topham requested that we take a look at the accessible parking space at the Island Kitchen. • Ms. Maloney expressed the need for a van accessible parking space at the airport. Ms. Topham will address this with the Airport Commission. Executive Session: 4:29 p.m. Ms. Snell motioned to go into Executive Session to discuss the parking permit applications, and not to return to the Open Meeting once the Executive Session is adjourned, which Ms. Williams seconded, and Mr. Rowland, Ms. Topham, Ms. Snell, Ms. Maloney, Ms. Williams, Ms. Snow and Mr. Hubbard voted in favor of this motion. Submitted by: Brenda McDonough, Facilitator