Peoria Standard

City of Peoria Mayor's Advisory Committee for the Disabled met April 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

The meeting was held on April 11, 2017, at 4:15 p.m., at City Hall Building, 419 Fulton St, Room 404, Committee Member Laurie Atkinson, Chair presided.

Roll Call:

Roll call showed the following committee members present: Laurie Atkinson, Kaye Berry, Doris Hayes, Mike Van Cleve, and Amr Elsamny – 5. Absent: Melynda McKeever, Kendra Moses-Hagan and Ashonta Huddleston - 3. Also present was Staff Liaison David Watkins, Equal Opportunity Manager.

Minutes:

Committee Member Mike Van Cleve motioned to approve the March meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Doris Hayes.

Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote

Community Input:

None

Unfinished Business

Publicity Committee

No Report

Events Committee

No Report

Information Packet

Committee Member Mike Van Cleve reported meeting with Committee Member Doris Hayes about creating an information packet which was discussed at last month’s meeting. During that discussion, the members expressed interest in contacting like-minded organizations to obtain possible packet content.

Committee Member Van Cleve said while good information could be provided by them, Committee Member Hayes and he thought a vital first step would be to have a meeting of the minds. They proposed inviting the various groups that serve disability community from city departments to organizations that attended special needs fair to a round table discussion.

Committee Member Van Cleve thought it would be a benefit to the MACCD and the organizations to come together and talk about issues they face. The MACCD would serve as moderator.

The members were told the idea was being put before them to see if it is something the committee would want to undertake. If so, what would be the time frame and what would need to be done to receive support from the city?

Staff Liaison David Watkins mentioned because proposed idea was not on the agenda cannot take action at this meeting. It will have to be placed on May’s agenda. Committee Member Laurie Atkinson, Chair asked Watkins to include item under unfinished business.

The members discussed creating an Ad Hoc Committee to work on round table idea. Staff Liaison Watkins mentioned since the committee had previously talked about using social media perhaps can have Stacy Peterson, Communications Specialist come to a meeting to discuss how she can assist.

New Business:

Access March Madness

Committee Member Laurie Atkinson reported around 34 to 36 people stopped at the MACCD table. She thought it was a good turnout.

EP!C Meeting

Committee Member Doris Hayes reported EP!C would hold its next client meeting on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

The members talked about who from the MACCD would attend. After some discussion, Committee Member Mike Van Cleve motioned to have Committee Members Laurie Atkinson and Melynda McKeever attend the May 19 meeting to represent the MACCD and bring back a report on how meeting went. Seconded by Committee Member Doris Hayes.

Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote

City Link/City Lift

Committee Member Kaye Berry mentioned after multiple attempts she finally received a written response to her request for information about complaints filed by riders of City Link and City Lift.

Told the members she had requested a copy of rules and regulations for passengers and a copy of rules and procedures for employees on how to handle disabled passengers. She mentioned in the response was told they follow the procedures outlined in rider’s handbook.

Committee Member Kaye Berry mentioned is response to request for information about grant funds she was told had to submit a Freedom of Information Request.

The members were given examples of the kinds of complaints riders were making against City Link and City Lift. Committee Member Kaye Berry suggested some complaints could be discriminatory.

As discussion continued, the members asked what her ultimate goal was for gathering information about internal policies. They inquired if she mentioned the complaints or her concerns about them to City Link ADA Advisory Council. The members also asked what she was looking for the MACCD to do.

Committee Member Kaye Berry said she was not sure because did not know if committee had jurisdiction to do anything.

Committee Member Amr Elsamny suggested inviting City Link to a meeting to address complaints.

As discussion continued, the members focused on how they should approach getting City Link to attend a meeting and should they learn more about the complaints before asking them to a meeting.

Proposed Agenda Items:

1.Create Ad Hoc Committee to work on Information Packet and Round Table discussion.

2.

Adjournment:

Committee Member Mike Van Cleve motioned to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Committee Member Doris Hayes.

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