Meetings and Minutes

Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council
Quarterly Business Meeting Minutes
APRIL 23, 2009

Location:
Eastern Shore Community College
Melfa, Virginia

Members present:
Marcia DuBois, Chair
Carmela Greer
Shawn Utt
Jack Brandt
Steve Johnson
Mary Mathena
Ellen Shackelford
Alexandra Dixon
Raymond Kenney
Theresa Preda, Ex-Officio
Jane Ward-Solomon, Ex-Officio

Members Absent:
Dave Barrett
Sarah Liddle
Terry Labar
Celestine Walker
Susan Prokop


Members of the public/Guests:
James Rothrock, Commissioner, Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS)
Mary-Margaret Cash, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS)
Eleanor Williams, DRS
Maureen Hollowell
Dave Burds
Mary Lopez
Donald Price
Althea Pittman
Doreen Capers
Coreen Watts

Staff:
R. Kriner


Chair DuBois called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.
Member roll-call and Introductions

DuBois recognized Staff Kriner’s outstanding performance on behalf of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and presented him with a gift certificate from Outback. She thanked him for bringing enthusiasm and order to the SILC during stressful times.

DuBois introduced Althea Pittman, Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living and thanked her for inviting the SILC to the Eastern Shore. Ms. Pittman related how the CIL has a small staff but is dedicated and strong. She introduced consumers whose stories were compelling accounts of how independent living services can make a difference in communities. Ms. Pittman also thanked the Council for the work they do with the CILs and Part B funding.

Public Comment:
Dave Burds presented the Virginia Association of Center for Independent Living (VACIL’s) proposal again for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to serve underserved populations. If granted, VACIL suggested that the funds could be divided 20 ways for 16 CILs, 2 satellites, and 2 development satellites and used to address the needs of the unserved and underserved.

Committee Reports:

Operations Committee
State Plan for Independentt Living (SPIL) Development Sub-Committee will meet to put together guidelines for community forums to ensure consistency in the development of the next Plan.

Committee Chairs will develop a summary of the year’s accomplishments to be incorporated into the SILC portion of the annual 704 Report, due November 15.

Executive Committee

Minutes for the January Business meeting were not available. They will be voted and approved at the July meeting.
Eleanor Williams reported that the SILC has approximately $25,000 in additional revenue, primarily due to a 2009 COLA increase in Part B. We are $1,628 over budget from in the SILC Congress line item and may need to make some budget revisions at the meeting in July.
Executive Committee recommended to the full Council that 90% of Stimulus funding be allocated for underserved populations and 10% go to Scott Cooper’s Website proposal.

Microphone system discussion tabled until July meeting

Goal l
Will continue to work with unserved/underserved areas, using focus groups. A sub-committee will meet to discuss how to conduct the focus groups, and report back in July.

Goal ll Community Integration Committee
Brandt, Preda, and others as needed, will meet to clarify/identify any reporting problems with Part B reports.
Brandt will communicate with the VA Alliance for Community and report back to the SILC with an update regarding refunding institutions.
Draft survey regarding Part B money was reviewed, with feedback due back by May 15. The data will help determine what is needed for year 3 as well as give preliminary date for the next SPIL.

Goal lll
The Department of Housing and Commubity Development (DHCD) is continuing to move forward with the ADA certification process.
Committee approved expenditure of $4,200 ($1,700 already expended in March and $2,500 for YLF project in July) for the It’s Our Story project.


New Business:
Commissioner Rothrock gave updates on stimulus funding, DRS staffing, and the state budget. DRS will continue to provide the same level of staff support to the SILC, using in-kind funds. Until the SILC staff position if filled, Mary-Margaret Cash will be the point person.

Ward-Solomon reported that DBVI is using the $866,000 Title VII, Part 2 Stimulus money for the older blind program by loosening restrictions previously imposed by the budget cuts, for possible equipment purchases, AT, home modification and repair.

Part B reports
Maureen Hollowell gave an overview of the Part B Grant reports and outlined the CILs suggested outcomes for year three. She request that the SILC review these outcomes and provide feedback to the CILs.

Stimulus Funds
Motion from the Executive Committee was brought to the floor for discussion. Julie Stanley reported that VHDA will be funding the proposed website, indicating that the housing primer could be tailored to the SILC’s needs. There was more discussion about Scott Cooper’s proposal and about housing training for CIL staff.
Dixon made a motion to fund the underserved proposal at 95% and the housing training at 5%.
Shawn seconded the motion.
Dubois, Johnson, and Greer abstained.
Approval by voice vote.
Motion passed.


Nominating Committee
DuBois made the following committee assignments:
Nominating Committee
Johnson
Dixon
Liddle
Ward-Solomon
DuBois

Goal l
Greer
Utt

Goal II
Greer

There will be three Council seat vacancies as of 9/30/09; DuBois, Prokop, and Walker. VACIL will make the recommendation for DuBois’ vacancy, as is the CIL representative seat. Mary-Margaret Cash will send an e-mail outlining the application process for potential nominees.

Microphone system
Dixon made a motion to authorize staff up to $2,500 to purchase a microphone system.
Kenney seconded the motion.
Approved by voice vote.
Motion passed.

Greer made a motion that Goal 1 Committee recommends that the SILC use VACIL’s priorities.
Shackelford seconded the motion.
Motion withdrawn.
Brandt made a motion that if RSA receives federal funding for new CILs, the VA SILC will refer to VACIL’s proposal as it relates to federal funding.
Dixon seconded the motion.
Steve and Marcia abstained.
Approved by voice vote.
Motion passed.

After discussion, it was decided to hold the July 2009 meeting in Fredericksburg

After several announcements, the meeting was adjourned at 3:30