COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
MINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING
May 14, 2025, CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The regular meeting of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities was called to order at 6:35 PM.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Mullings, Commissioner Roloff, Commissioner Bonsmith, Commissioner Beehler, Commissioner Hall, Commissioner Lipp
Absent: Commissioner Schmitz
Staff: Secretary Lilian Jewell
2. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
• Speaker Tristan Suire invited Commissioners to participate and attend Universal Design Ordinance Housing Panel
3. MINUTES
• Review of minutes from 4-24-2024, 6-5-2024, and 3-12-2025
• Minutes 4-24-2024 approved; revisions needed for 6-5-2024, 3-12-2025 to be resubmitted for approval at July meeting
4. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
4-A Study Session - Zoning Ordinance Amendment - Universal Design Ordinance Updates
• Presented by Tristan Suire, Planner II, City of Alameda
• Universal Residential Design Ordinance in Alameda to ensure accessibility, adaptability, and visitability of all new housing developments
o Purpose of Revisions: exemptions added to streamline permitting process; decision-making authority revised
o Exemption Matrix: further clarified qualifying requirements
• Clarifying Questions
o Commissioner Lipp asked why townhouses are targeted building type
o Chair Mullings asked if this will go before City Council next
o Commissioner Hall asked about number of revisions
o Commission Roloff asked whose financial hardship is considered for exemption; also asked why exemptions would be needed for new construction if they could be accessible from the beginning
o Commissioner Beehler asked why exemption requests will not come to this Commission and if Annual Report will cover this
o Chair Mullings asked if Universal Design Ordinance will continue to be protected with new revisions
• Discussion for Recommendation
o Commissioner Roloff expressed disappointment in continued revisions to accessible design; abstained from recommending
§ Commissioner Hall echoed
o Chair Mullings noted that building conversations have supported Commission goals
o Speaker Suire said that were this not to pass Council, it may discourage future housing development and allow broader loopholes for waivers
o Motion to recommend by Chair Mullings, seconded by Commissioner Bonsmith
4-B Request for Review and Discussion of Proposed Commission By-Laws
• Presented by Lilian Jewell, Commission Secretary
• Review of Commission By-Laws
o Suggested edits and content changes were discussed
o Bylaws to be changed and brought back for approval vote
• Agenda item closed
4-C Commissioner Discussion about Priorities and Areas of Focus for CPWD
• Presented by Lilian Jewell, Commission Secretary
• Priority Topics: mental health, aging population, visitability in housing, broadening scope of accessibility, supporting families impacted by disability, community engagement, Commissioners attending other Boards/Commission for cross-collaboration, community organization and other department presentations, SeeClickFix data, sidewalks, access to care
• Agenda item closed
5. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
• Commissioner Lipp welcomed to Commission
• Commissioner Hall asked for details of July 4th Parade participation; Commissioner Bonsmith to join parade
• Commissioner Bonsmith shared the Hearing Loss Association is hosting their Hearing Loss Walk at Crown Beach the following Sunday
• Commissioner Lipp shared a free microchipping event for pets
6. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
• May 29th Commissions and Board Members Gala
• Participation in Universal Design Housing Panel
• Accessibility in Alameda launched in April; request for features from Commissioners
• 35th ADA Anniversary in July; share impact story online
• SeeClickFix 2024 report in process
• Sidewalk Repair Program in process
• ADA Transition Plan annual update shared at next meeting
• Bike to Wherever Day, 5/15, featuring guest Access Trikes
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.