Meetings and Minutes

Attendance: Janet Dorsey, Alan Schlank, Lewis Atkins, Marcia DuBois, SusanProkop, Doug Nunnally, David Benjamin, Celestine Walker, George Hubbs, Rob Hazelton, Sally Michael, David Harris, Jenny McKenzie, Ben Johnson

Ex-Officio: Jane Ward Solomon, Theresa Preda

Absent: Sheila Cox-Combs, Hazel Moran, Jeff Pittman, Bill Ward, Ex-Officio Billy Perkins

Staff: Lisa Grubb

Guest:Brenda Harris, Marcie Goldstein, Fritz Knapp, Sandra Wagener, Brian Dorsey

Chairperson Dorsey opened the meeting by thanking Resources for Independent Living for hosting the Council and for providing morning refreshments.i>>

There being no public comment, the floor was closed.

Dorsey reported that the Executive Committee met previously and discussed the following:

• Coordination of the CAS Project – The Executive Committee received input from the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) about the coordination of the Community Action Specialist (CAS) Project. The Executive Committee is looking at the budget and will make a final decision on how much money will be budgeted for the CAS Project. Once that amount is determined, VACIL will be givendirection in completing a proposal for the coordination of the project. The Executive Committee recommended that three non-CIL ii members of the SILC, with at least one member being a member of the Executive Committee, monitor VACIL. Theresa Preda, DRS Ex-Officio member clarified the state’s role in monitoring the CAS project. Dorsey shared that the oversight of the project will be a collaborative effort of the SILC and DRS. The Executive Committee will prepare a proposal and present to DRS according to state and federal guidelines.
• Equipment purchase – The Executive Committee approved Staff Grubb to purchase a laptop computer for the SILC office. Vice-Chair Alan Schlank will work with Grubb in reviewing the state contract. Council Member Lewis Atkins moved to accept the recommendation of the Executive Committee. Council Member Susan Prokop moved to second the motion. There being no discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
• Staff Pay increase – The Executive Committee approved a pay increase in the amount of 3% for the SILC staff contract.

Member Celestine Walker moved to accept the April 2004 draft minutes as presented. Council Member George Hubbs moved to second themotion. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.

Staff Grubb shared year-end totals and the Executive Committee’s decision to take the outstanding travel expenses of the NationalCouncil on Independent Living (NCIL) conference and SILC Congress out of fiscal year 2004 Part B SILC Administration line item. Any remaining monies will be available for CAS training if needed in fiscal year 2004. If any monies remain, they will be carried forward as SILC Administration funds for fiscal year 2005.

JaneWard Solomon, DBVI Ex-Officio member presented recommendations as put forth by the Bylaws Committee. Council Member Marcia DuBois moved to accept the Bylaws as amended. Council Member George Hubbs moved to second the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. Ward-Solomon and Grubb will amend and forward to Committee Chair Lewis Atkins and Committee Member Jenny McKenzie for final review. Effective date of amended Bylaws will be Oct. 1, 2004

Prokop shared handouts from training sponsored by the US Department of Health of Human Services on Housing for persons with disabilities on Understanding Universal Design and Access Modification.v

The Committee has been actively involved in the creation of the Virginia Transportation Alliance. The purpose of the Alliance is to bring focus and emphasis to the issue of transportation needs, as well as to organize people from around the Commonwealth to effectively advocate for better rural and suburban transportation. A Committee telephone conference will be held in August and an update will be given to everyone.

Committee Chair Hubbs commended Youth Council Member David Harris for his participation on this committee and on the council.

CouncilChairperson Dorsey shared that she had received a letter from Ms. Cathy Tyler-Northan with the Peninsula Center for Independent Living requesting a SILC representative to serve on the LINKS project task force. Council Member George Hubbs will represent the council on the LINKs projectvi. The LINKS project is a grant intended to secure transportation data from all corners of the Commonwealth to show where the gaps in transportation service exist. DRS Ex Officio Member Theresa Preda shared that the LINKS project received a grant from the VA Board to assist with the project.

The survey process has been completed. The committee has decided to move forward to begin legal discussions. The Committee is also going to look at other organizations to contract with temporarily in the interim.

Council Chairperson Janet Dorsey expressed her deep appreciation on behalf of the SILC for Hazelton sheparding the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

Predareported that we should receive correspondence from the Rehabilitative Services Administration (RSA) by September.

Hazelton shared that the SPIL outlines the development of three new committees:

• Communication Committee
• YouthAdvocacy Committee
• Employment Committee

The Executive Committee recommends not having any more than 5 committees and no one serving on more than 2 committees. Dorsey encouraged the new slate of officers to consider this.

Guest Marcie Goldstein asked if the committees pull experts from the field to serve on SILC communities. Dorsey shared that the Council does reach out to non-council members to serve on the committees. Dorsey referred this discussion to the Bylaws Committee.

Thefollowing slate of officers were presented to the Council to serve from October 1, 2004 – September 31, 2005:

• Chair: Susan Prokop
• Vice-Chair: Bill Ward
• Treasurer:Rob Hazelton
• Secretary:Sheila Cox Combs

Committee Chair Atkins opened the floor for additional nominations. There being none, Atkins moved to accept the slate as recommended by the Nomination Committee. David Benjamin