FULL COUNCIL MEETING

NOVEMBER 10, 2006

HOLIDAY INN TURF, ALBANY

Present: Mel Tanzman, Chris Zachmeyer, Mike Godino, Bob Gaffney, Randy Black-Schantz, Dennis Boyd, Bob Gumson, Bruce Darling, Doug Usiak, Mike Smith, Gene Hughes, Sharon Flom, Greg Jones, Edith Prentiss, Mike Orzel, Page Pierce, Rain Ripple and , Lauren LeFebvre

Present via phone: Sharon Shapiro, Christina Curry

Staff Present: Brad Williams, Sue Cohen, Patty Black, Joe Adler

Others Present: TK Small, Melanie Shaw

CALL TO ORDER

Mel called the meeting to order at 9:10am with a roll call and opened the floor to open discussion.

OPEN FORUM

Council was informed that there will be a voting machine time test help at M & T Albany Law School. Contact information for those interested was provided.

Edith Prestiss requested a resolution of support for “Taxi’s for All” and their efforts to have accessible taxi’s mandated in NYC rather than requiring people to contact a central call system for Yellow Cabs.

Resolution of support moved by Edith and seconded by Mike Godino. All voted in favor.

Mike Godino noted that the Desmond Hotel, where the NYAIL conference was held, was lacking in accessibility for people who are blind. NYSILC will draft a letter with suggestions for accommodations for people who are visually impaired and send it to the Desmond. Mike added that a letter sent following a conference held by the American Council for the Blind of NY to the hotel it was held at, did bring about changes. NYSILC will send a letter to that hotel recognizing the changes.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2006

Minutes were approved as presented. (M.Godino-B.Darling m/s/p) all aye

ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS

Mel stated the following terms of office were expiring this year:

Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Member-at-Large, Treasurer

Mel opened the floor to nominations and the following nominations were made:

Chairman: Chris Zachmeyer (M.Godino-B.Gaffney m/s/p)

Vice Chair: Bruce Darling (M.Tanzman-D.Boyd m/s/p)

Doug Usiak (M.Godino-D.Boyd m/s/p)

Treasurer: Mike Godino (B.Gaffney-R. Black-Schantz m/s/p)

Secretary: Lauren LeFebvre (M.Godino-C.Zachmeyer m/s/p)

M.A.L.: Sharon Shapiro (M.Godino-D.Usiak m/s/p)

Mike Godino moved the nominations be closed, seconded by Mel. A roll call vote for the office of vice chair was taken. Results: Doug-5 votes, Bruce 7 votes, 1 abstention

Motion was made for the secretary to cast one ballot for the following slate of officers:

Chair: Chris Zachmeyer

Vice Chair: Bruce Darling

Treasurer: Mike Godino

Secretary: Lauren LeFebvre

Member-at-Large: Sharon Shapiro

(M.Godino-B.Gaffney m/s/p) all aye

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Brad reported that work continues on the HAVA DVD with RRTC. Richard Male and Assoc. is researching post-production “gap” funding opportunities.

Sienna Institute will include four disability related follow-up post election questions in their poll.

Brad discussed the Housing Institute and the Housing Trust Fund in the amount of $500 Million. A change in appropriations has been to reflect the following:

55% workforce housing

25% supportive housing

10% rehab

10% infrastructure

HSBC-new officers will need the complete the appropriate banking documents. All council members will need to complete Conflict of Interest disclosure paperwork.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Mike reported that he expects a positive audit this year. He also stated that $25,000 was moved to the 2006-07 budget for the needs assessment. The report was accepted.

(E.Prentiss-C.Zachmeyer m/s/p) all aye

Executive Committee Report

Chris reported that Gene Hughes and Pratik Patel have been reappointed and urged anyone who knows of a potential youth candidate for the council please encourage them to apply.

The council approved the Executive Committee to prioritize and approach members of other agencies to become council members. (M.Tanzman-D.Boyd m/s/p) all aye

SPIL-unspent Title 7 funds for technical assistance has been approved by RSA. It will be reviewed by SED and sent on to DDPC to become a contract with DDPC.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

SPIL-Hearings were held in Buffalo, Syracuse, Long Island, TBI conference, NYAIL conference and Youth Forum. 400 emails were also received. Data will be complied and a draft SPIL will be available for public comment, which will be linked to the NYSILC website.

Travel-Randy reported that the survey is complete and on the NYAIL webpage. Distribution of the survey is vital for accurate data collection. Randy will be speaking at the American Hotel and Lodging Assoc. for Disability Rights conference next week.

Statewide Needs Assessment-Doug reported that they have received data sets concerning people served by county. There are 21 counties without CIL representation. The smallest population served by county is 48,500. There are 13 counties with a population with 48,500 or more without CIL representation. Due to the inability to track or link data, no trends or patterns can be identified. Council needs to decide how data collected will be used for planning.

Disability Voter Education and Database-Voting PSA has been aired in a variety of markets. The Zogby and Sienna polling results are expected soon. NYSILC will be purchasing 4 post election question and 4 pre-election questions.

Statewide Consumer Satisfaction Survey-3 Focus groups were held. Bob Shepard from the University at Potsdam has a tentative schedule in which all Independent Living Centers must submit consumer contact information by November 17. Each individual Independent Living Center’s letterhead will be used. The survey are scheduled to be sent out by 12/17 and be returned by 1/15/07. A draft of results will be available to centers by 2/28/07.

Emergency Preparedness-Edith reported that they have met with the Spitzer/Patterson campaign. The committee is also working on inclusion of people with disabilities in evacuation planning.

Youth Leadership-Bob reported that the Youth Leadership session at NYAIL was a success. Committee has also met to develop a 3 year proposal for the upcoming SPIL. Plan includes a mentor program, training, advocacy and the addition of a Youth Leader Statewide Coordinator.

VESID-Bob Gumson reported on the development of a 5 year contract with the ILC network. An RFP has gone out for the 2 terminated LIC contracts. There may be a need for an RFP for the SSAN. An increase of 5 million dollars in funding has been requested.

CBVH-Sharon Flom reported on a new case management system for improved data collection. Mike Godino has been nominated as the NYSILC liaison to CBVH.

OPEN FORUM

HAVA-Dennis Boyd reported that an appeal is pending regarding the US vs. NYBPOE. Development of minimum standards has been pushed back until March 2007. The Albany Supreme Court impounded marked ballots and treated them as absentee.

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Mel Tanzman was recognized for his work on the council with and award. Dennis Boyd received the annual advocacy award.

AJOURNMENT

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:50pm.

(C.Zachmeyer-R.Black-Schantz m/s/p) all aye

Submitted by:
Lauren LeFebvre, Secretary