Meetings and Minutes

Members present: Bonita Reid, Dave Harris, Dave Benjamin, Hazel Moran, Ben Johnson, Jenny McKenzie, Karen Michalski Karney, Janet Dorsey, Bill Ward, Lewis Atkins, Doug Nunnally, George Hubbs, Alan Schlank, Rob Hazelton,

Ex officio:Theresa Preda, Jane Ward-Solomon, and Billy Perkins

Members absent: Heather Harris, Sally Michaels

Staff: Lisa Grubb

Guests:Eleanor Williams, Phil Sieck, Betty Bevins, Fritz Knapps, Eddie Jones, Mary Margaret Cash, Sharon Shaffer, Kim Shick, Ralph Shelman, Michael Cooper, Marcie Goldstein, William Hess, Brenda Harris


Chair Janet Dorsey opened the meeting by welcoming the new council members: Hazel Moran, George Hubbs and Rob Hazelton. Unfortunately Sally Michaels, one of our new members was unable to join us today but we look forward to her joining us at future meetings.

Chair Dorsey opened the floor for public comment.
Michael Cooper, Executive Director of the Endependence Center of Central Virginia (ENCV) shared the Olmstead Task Force work plan calendar and left copies for distribution. Additionally he shared that Arlington County Commissioner and ENCV's board member Mr. Charles Monroe passed away this weekend. Mr. Monroe was instrumental in making the post office accessible and was a civil right activist.

There being no further public comment, Chair Dorsey welcomed guest Commissioner Rothrock.

Commissioner Rothrock welcomed the council to the Department of Rehabilitative Service (DRS) and Richmond and addressed the following topics.
DRS serve as a stewardship over Part B funds for the Statewide Independent Living Council.
At present the General Assembly is in session and DRS is following the issues.
He is awaiting projections on revenues from the Governor's office.
Rothrock advised the council to remember the state plan and not to let it "creep up".
Rothrock encouraged the council to look at privatization during this administration, as it is a national trend. He feels certain that Governor Warner would be willing to work with the Statewide Independent Living Council and he is also willing to work with us.
The Stakeholder Advisory Group on Excellence (SAGE) is trying to move away from micro-management. The Statewide Independent Living Council representative on the SAGE is Karen Michalski-Karney
Commission Rothrock is working with Delegate Baskerville to get the state code in line with the federal code.
A bill to merge boards and commissions is being discussed. This would merge the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) and the DRS Board. This would provide more focus.
DRS staff Liz Smith is handling DRS' legislature bills. She will share these bills with Statewide Independent Living Council Staff Lisa Grubb.
Rothrock challenged the Statewide Independent Living Council to get involved with the Medicaid Infrastructure and the Olmstead Work Incentives. He is concerned because Governor Warner is looking at work programs and proposing to have a work force coordinator look at this over the coming year. At present things are disjointed.
The Virginia Housing and Development Authority (VHDA) is interested in working with disabilities. Chair Dorsey requested Commission Rothrock and the DRS staff to contact the Statewide Independent Living Council of issues so we can make those contacts.
Governor Warner had made a promise to place people with disabilities on various boards. Hermann, a CIL employee was appointed to the real estate board.
Council Member Alan Schlank questioned Commissioner Rothrock about privatization. The Commissioner explained that some states are 501c3 where DRS and the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) are circumvented. When independent living started it took a while for the State Rehab Counsel to catch on and administer funds. This Statewide Independent Living Council had a fairly good relationship but you never can tell when there's a grab for money and an opportunity for autonomy and advocacy. It is a freedom and a responsibility. Virginia is a little different than most states in that we have more state money than federal money. DRS will guarantee the $60,000 through this SPIL but after that it will need to be discussed.
Vice-Chair Karen Michalski-Karney asked the Commissioner if the Statewide Independent Living Council would be represented on the Workforce Development Group. Commissioner Rothrock said he was not confident that people with disabilities would fare well with the current proposal.
Commissioner Rothrock advised everyone to follow the current legislation by doing a web search on his or her browser for the Virginia General Assembly.
Cooper, ENCV's Executive Director requested information to be shared on the visitability bill. He has not been able to track it. Commissioner Rothrock said that he would have DRS staff Smith share that information.

Chair Dorsey presented the Secretary's report on behalf of Secretary Harris. Two corrections were noted. Guests should be Greg Morrell and plagues should be changed to plaques. Council Member Lewis Atkins moved to approve the minutes with the recommended changes. Vice-Chair Michalski-Karney seconded the motion. There being no discussion the motion carried.

DRS Staff Eleanor Williams presented the Treasurer's report on behalf of Treasurer Bill Ward. Williams explained that the Independent Living Part B monies were to operate the State Plan and the 006 funds are for the operation of the Statewide Independent Living Council. The 006 fund is the money Commissioner Rothrock was guaranteeing through this state plan but noted it would need to be discussed beyond this state plan. Treasurer Ward and Staff Grubb will meet with Williams to discuss the budget and make recommendation after the expenses from this meeting are posted.

Chair Dorsey called the meeting into Executive Session citing Virginia Code sections 2.2--3711 A1 and A7 and requested that all non-voting council members leave the room. There were no invited guests.

Chair Dorsey opened the general meeting and requested that the minutes reflect that the items discussed in Executive Session where covered under FOIA for which the Executive Session was convened and the council ruled that no action would be taken. So certified by each council member present.

Ex officio member Billy Perkins questioned why ex-officio members were asked to leave the room. Chair Dorsey stated that only voting members were asked to stay. The Executive Committee felt that only voting members should be present. Perkins asked for clarification. Ex officio member Theresa Preda stated that RSA could provide clarification.

The floor was opened for public comment.

India Foy, Project Manager for Health Promotion for People With Disabilities (HPPD) at the Virginia Dept of Health shared that Virginia is one of sixteen states funded to study wellness issues. Foy wanted to introduce her project and meet the Statewide Independent Living Council.

There being no further public comment Chair Dorsey turned the floor over to the Nomination Committee.

Nomination Committee Chair and Council Vice-Chair Michalski Karney presented the committees recommendation for officers for the current fiscal year. The slate of nominations were presented:
Chairperson: Janet Dorsey
Vice-Chair: Bill Ward
Treasurer: Ben Johnson
Secretary: Bonita Reid and Jenny McKenzie
Discussion occurred in reference to the joint secretary recommendation. Council Member Schlank questioned the idea behind having two secretaries. The nominating committee