New York State
Independent Living Council

Full Council Meeting
Albany Marriott
June 15, 1998

Present:

Members: Barbara "Bobbi" Linn, Chair; Chris Rosa, Vice Chair; Charles McGrady, Treasurer; Anne Pavlak, Secretary; Frances Pizzola, Member-at-Large; Sally Johnston; Doug Usiak; Michele Greene; Marianne Williams; Georg Fleischer; Gisela Distel; Bob Shepherd; T. K. Small; James Billy.

Ex Officio: Sharon Flom, CBVH; Bob Gumson, VESID; Bob Boehlert, Advocate's Office; Patricia Bruno, OMRDD

Staff: David Arocho, NYSILC Executive Director

Guests: Melissa Slafer, Northern Regional CIL; Dawn Penders, VESID; Sue Mateer, ILC of Hudson Valley; Patty Arocho; Mary Ewing, Cortland Center; Tina Willard, SCOIL; Marcie Kelly, Action for Mental Health; Tim Maggio, Action for Mental Health; Mike Pizzola; Doug Hovey, Newburgh CIL & COIL Chair; Michelle DelMonte, Suffolk County Office of Handicapped Services/SILO volunteer; Anna Armstrong, Olean CIL.

Absent:
Myrta Cuadra, Cheryl Pivorunas, Ralph W. Shields, Jack White, Darby Penney.

Bobbi Linn called the meeting to order at 9:10 AM by welcoming everyone in attendance and taking roll call. The meeting began with a quorum present.

The Chair requested a motion on the minutes of April 22, 1998, and if there were any corrections, additions or changes. James Billy requested Council receive the minutes and the director's report so they could be reviewed prior to the meeting. Consensus was to have minutes, etc., distributed two weeks prior to a meeting.

Patricia Bruno offered a correction--she was in attendance at the April 22 meeting.

Doug Usiak moved, second by James Billy, to table the minutes so they can be reviewed by the Secretary prior to distribution to members. Motion passed with one abstention, Bob Shepherd.

Director's Quarterly Report: The May and April reports are in the packet of materials. The construction/alterations for office accessibility are complete including the door opener at 111 Washington Avenue.

He reported on joint efforts with AILCNY and COIL working on the legislative activities, the latest newsletter and the web-site. The SPIL will be discussed later in the meeting.

Selection of a new auditor was discussed, the ED has interviewed two firms that have experience with the not-for-profit organizations. Anne Pavlak moved, seconded by Sally Johnston, that the Treasurer work with Council staff to bring a recommendation to the next Executive Committee Meeting and subsequently to the next Full Council meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Chris Rosa reported on the Executive Committee Meeting, noting that the minutes were in the packet. He reported the Executive Committee deferred the decision for a second signer on checks as discussion for the Full Council. The floor was open for discussion.

Anne Pavlak moved and Doug Usiak seconded that the Executive Director and the Communications Outreach Coordinator be authorized to sign budgeted approved expenses of over $500 and a board member be authorized as a co-signer for any expenditures outside of the budget (those needing budget amendment). The latter items would be reported to the Executive Committee and Full Council. A listing of all checks shall be forwarded to the Treasurer. Motion carried unanimously.

Chris Rosa reviewed the goals and objectives approved by the Executive Committee for submission to VESID:

A one day training workshop on the implementation of the Fair Housing Standards Act visa vi people with disabilities, October 1998.

A one day training program on issues surrounding the use of service animals for persons with disabilities, February/March 1999.

A one day training session on private sector funding opportunities for Centers for Independent Living, June 1999.

A one day workshop on the role of NYSILC in supporting the work of Centers for Independent Living in New York, September 1999.

NYSILC will participate and sponsor AILCNY and COIL annual conferences at the times at which they are scheduled.

NYSILC staff will continue to develop the web-site and publish the quarterly newsletter, the SILC WORD.

Sally Johnston moved, second by Doug Usiak, to approve the Goals and Objectives with the understanding that any changes, if required by VESID, be approved by the Executive Committee. Motion passed unanimously.

Last item was a recommendation for a repeat of some "visioning" on the Council’s role, values and future done about four years ago. After discussion, motion was made by Marianne Williams, second by Sally Johnston, to have John Moffit or other appropriate facilitator as selected by the Executive Committee, return for a program of "Vision Missioning."

A point of information was raised about the ex-officio members at Executive Committee meetings. Chris Rosa will insure that the ex officio members are notified of any and all meetings whether they be in person or by conference call.

Charles McGrady, Treasurer, reviewed the financial reports of April 98 and May 98. After some discussion the reports were approved and filed for audit.

Treasurer then presented and reviewed the FFY 1998-1999 budget. After discussion on the proposed budget, Doug Usiak moved, second by James Billy that the budget be presented in two columns for ease of comparison. Motion passed unanimously.

The Treasurer requested a vote on the budget proposal as presented by the Executive Committee. Motion passed, 12-2, no abstentions.

Treasurer presented the request from the MOUTH for support. Anne Pavlak moved, seconded by Georg Fleischer not give such a contribution. Motion failed. Doug Usiak moved, second by Chris Rosa, that a $200 be contributed to the MOUTH. Motion failed.

Personnel Committee: Anne Pavlak reported the Personnel Committee met briefly and the Personnel Policy was distributed to the committee for review. They will meet again tomorrow to discuss any changes needed.

Public Policy Committee: Fran Pizzola reported that the Public Policy Committee discussed Hudson River Valley Care Center. Letters to the State Health Department and other government offices stating our support of community based services for people who require care instead of institutions were recommended. The committee will contact the TBI Council Chair regarding the Hudson Valley project. The role of the Advocate’s Office regarding the Hudson River Valley Care Center was discussed along with discharge planning and transition. The committee recommended that a member of the TBI Council be considered for a SILC position. Accessibility concerns regarding the Marriott Hotel were discussed. The committee recommends evaluations after each Council meeting include space for comment of accessibility of the hotel.

On the work incentive improvement bills, HR 3433 and S1858, the committee recommended letter be written to Senators Moynihan and D’Amato in support of this legislation.

Also discussed was the HR 2020 MiCasa bill which is languishing in the subcommittee on Health and Environment in the House Commerce Committee. T.K. Small wrote a letter to send to the members of the House Committee and the NYS Congressional Caucus.

Bob Boehlert updated the Council on the Hudson River Valley Care Center. The TBI Coordinating Council Chairperson was asked to appoint an ad hoc committee to begin a dialogue between the Health Department, the HRVCC and concerned advocates. The facility has all of the approvals it needs to operate as a nursing home in New York State. The issue now, at least from the Council’s perspective, is where this facility fits in with continuing care for people with brain injury.

Bob Boehlert voiced concern regarding the work incentive and the MiCasa bills and especially their impact on New York State.

Chris Rosa presented the following resolution from the Executive Committee.

RESOLVED:

On this fifteenth day of June, nineteen hundred and ninety-eight,

WHEREAS: Douglas Usiak, Marianne Williams, and Ralph William Shields have made crucial contributions to the establishment of the New York State Independent Living Council, Incorporated (NYSILC), as authorized by 1992 Amendments of Title VII of the Federal Rehabilitation Act;

WHEREAS: they have provided loyal and dedicated leadership and direction to NYSILC;

WHEREAS: they have tirelessly advocated for the principles of independence, equal access and opportunity, consumer control, and self-direction for New Yorkers with disabilities;

the members of NYSILC do hereby express our deepest gratitude and most heartfelt thanks to these leaders for their devoted service.

The Full Council acknowledged their contribution with a round of applause.

Update on the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL), Executive Director reported all Council members had received a copy and the Regents will be considering the SPIL at their July meeting.

VESID Report by Bob Gumson: There are five vacancies coming up on the Council, members were encouraged to seek possible candidates to apply. The 17 Federal Independent Living centers will be polled to chose a representative to the Council.

VESID’s new initiative of "Life Long Service" networks bringing together all the various different networks we administer as an agency. Three awards for ILCs and school districts to work as partners have been made; the Westchester Independent Living Center, the Southern Tier Independence Center and the Resource Center for Independent Living in Utica were the award recipients. Grants will run for two years.

The Governor vetoed the $1.5 million that the Legislature put into the budget for this year for the State funding of independent living. Three center reviews are scheduled for the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Glens Falls, and Action Toward Independence in Middletown.

The Regents will discuss at their July meeting whether VESID will continue to administer the program.

CBVH Report by Sharon Flom: CBVH continues efforts to focus on employment. One of the goals of CBVH is to double the employment opportunities for individuals who are blind within the next 5 years. The agency is also continuing a dialogue with Independent Living Centers.

Doug Usiak reminded the Council that he has been serving as a representative to CBVH Rehabilitation Advisory Council. Since his term on the Council is over at the end of September, a new representative will need to be appointed. Gisela Distel volunteered for this appointment.

A SILC representative is also needed for the Rehabilitation Advisory Council because Ralph Shield’s (current Representative) tenure on the Council is also ending. James Billy volunteered for this appointment.

There was no further regular business, so the floor was open for comments.

James Billy announced that today begins Independent Living Week in New York City as part of the efforts of the New York City Consortium. On the 23^rd, there will be a grand reception at the Republic National Bank honoring, Annette Fabre, and the entire Simosa Family.

From the audience, Doug Hovey, spoke on the issue regarding the Title VII Part B moneys. The proposed target use for those funds is not based on ILC priorities and to restrict these funds to just technology advancement or training would be a limited sight use of these funds. One of the concerns around this issue was whether or not ILCs had Internet capacity. The consensus of the Council was to recommend to VESID that this money be available for service to unserved and underserved populations.

Laura Hagan brought to the Council’s attention that UCP is using the name "Independent Living Center" on their facility.