Title
Draft Minutes of the Regular Meeting, September 24, 2015
Body
DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED
Social Service Human Relations Board
Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Social Service Human Relations Board and the Commission on Disability Issues, September 24, 2015
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
President Biggs called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Present were members Blake, Sorensen, Williams, Hyman, and Davenport. Absent was member Radding.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the special meeting of August 13, 2015 were approved as presented.
M/S Hyman/Williams Unanimous
3. AGENDA ITEMS
3-A PRESENTATION BY ERIN SMITH, CITY OF ALAMEDA PUBLIC WORKS COORDINATOR, ON THE CITY OF ALAMEDA LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE (LHMP).
Erin Smith began her PowerPoint presentation (Attachment A) by sharing that data taken from
SSHRB’s Community Needs Surveys was used in preparing the report. She was joined by AFD
Captain Sharon Oliver.
In response to questions from Board and Commission members, Ms. Smith and Captain Oliver
shared that:
The city is vulnerable regarding its potable water supply in the event of a major disaster, and is
working with FEMA and other agencies to remedy the problem.
Staff is working with Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter regarding the care of lost and
abandoned pets in a disaster, and know that many pet owners will not go to a shelter, if they can’t
bring their pets. Plans are being developed to accommodate pets at shelter sites.
AFD and APD are in conversation to coordinate AFD’s “Mapping Your Neighborhood” and APD’s
“Neighborhood Watch” programs.
City disaster planning includes helping evacuate persons in wheel-chairs and with other mobility
issues. Some buildings have “carry-chairs”, and CERT (Community Emergency Response
Team) volunteers are also trained to help with evacuation.
The city needs its disaster mitigation plan in place by March of 2016, and, while staff has looked
at cyber-attacks, planning is focusing on natural disasters.
All agreed that the community won’t be able to rely on phones in the event of a major disaster, and
President Biggs shared that his family was able to locate family members using Facebook after the
recent earthquake in Nepal. Captain Oliver added that, after the quake in Haiti, some trapped
victims were able to text their location to responders. SHARE 911, Nixel, and other methods of
communicating will all be included in the city’s disaster planning.
President Biggs thanked Ms. Smith and Captain Oliver for their presentation, and said that the
Board looks forward to updates as progress is made.
3.-B PRESENTATION AND INTRODUCTION OF DRAFT ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT RELATED TO UNIVERSAL DESIGN, AND SECONDARY UNITS.
Allen Tai, City of Alameda Planning Services Manager, provided a PowerPoint presentation (Attachment B) regarding the City of Alameda’s plans to adopt a Universal Design Ordinance in ln December 2015 / early 2016.
Universal Design is a concept originally developed in the 1970s, by industrial designers to create products that are easy to use for people with a broad range of physical and cognitive capabilities. The main principle is that buildings and objects should be equally functional for people with and without disabilities. The ordinance as drafted will apply to new residential development of five units or more, with a minimum of 15% of the units being “universally designed”.
Mr. Tai shared that CDI has provided input throughout the development of the draft ordinance, and will continue to be part of the process.
In response to questions, Mr. Tai shared that grab bars would be an example of an accommodation in bathrooms.
Developers will not be mandated to include the accomodations in the building, but must offer Universal Design features, and have the space set up for the modifications.
President Biggs thanked Mr. Tai for his presentation.
4. ADJOURNMENT FOR CDI AND RECONVENE AS SSHRB
CDI members and staff adjourned.
5. BOARD/STAFF COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
Member Williams announced that the deadline for Community Service Award nominations has been extended to September 28.
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS- NONE
7. ADJOURNMENT - SSHRB
The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 PM. M\S Sorensen\ Williams Unanimous
Respectfully submitted by:
Jim Franz
Secretary