Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council"Creating the future of Independent Living through guidance and direction from people with disabilities"
March 12th, 2009
Meeting Location: Minneapolis Gateway Hotel
Members Present: Judy Sanders, Ann Zick, Barbara Chromy, Roberta Cich, Larry Lura, Hulet Sherry, Julia Washenberger, Ann Roscoe and Jeffrey Nurick.
Members Absent: Vicki Dalle Molle (Excused), Connie Lee Berg (Excused), and Jim Oneill.
Staff Present: Brad Westerlund, Gail Lundeen, and Linda Lingen.
Guests: David Hancox.
Approval of January 2009 Minutes and March 2009 Agenda
Roberta Cich asked if there were any revisions to the January 22 and 23, 2009 minutes. Judy Sanders indicated that her name was not listed under the appointments section of the minutes, page 4. Judy also noted that her name should not be listed as present for the January 23rd meeting. Larry Lura moved to accept the minutes as revised. Ann Zick seconded and the motion carried with all in favor.
Roberta asked if there were any changes or additions to the March agenda.
Jeffrey Nurick moved to accept the March 12, 2009 agenda as presented. Judy Sanders seconded and the motion carried with all in favor.
Visitor's Comments
David Hancox was present. David will give a brief legislative update later in the agenda.
DEED Update
Brad Westerlund informed members that DEED-Community Partners will be conducting three spring conferences. Rehabilitation Services/Community Partnerships hosts these meetings each year for Extended Employment Providers: Community Rehab Program Providers, Centers for Independent Living and Limited Use Vendors that do business with Rehabilitation Services. These meetings will be held on April 9th in Mankato, April 29th in Brainerd and May 13th in St. Paul. Barbara Chromy asked if SILC members could attend these meetings. Brad informed the council that these meetings are tailored to provide training and updates to statewide providers and that the discussion/content may not be of much use to the SILC. Discussion followed.
As reported in January, it was recommended that DEED continue the RS-IL grants at the first year level of funding. As DEED/CILs begin the second year of funding, DEED-RS staff will be participating in an in-depth dialogue with the Centers for IL, on the progress and service opportunities via site-visits to all eight projects. In these discussions, RS staff will discuss the second year funding applications, explore budget and staffing considerations, and data collection and information related to sustainability of the RS-IL collaboration.
May Outstate Meeting Topics/Education
The SILC May meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mankato, 20 Civic Center Plaza. The first day, May 14, 2009, will be dedicated for training. The second day, May 15, 2009, will be a regular SILC business meeting.
Alan Augustin, executive director of Southern Minnesota Independent Living Enterprises and Services (SMILES) will discuss the independent living center. The SILC provided the following suggestions for education topics:
- Seniors with disabilities
- Projections about future needs of seniors with disabilities
- State Services for the Blind support for seniors
- Services for deaf seniors
- How to maximize resources to meet the growing ranks of seniors
Some of the Mankato resources that might be able to address some of these issues include: The local Agency of Aging, the Minnesota Board on Aging, and the Senior Federation.
SILC Financial Report
Ann Zick informed council members of the current operational budget, SPIL budget and education and training budget. Copies of the reports were submitted to all members.
The NCIL and SILC Congress conferences were discussed, and whether or not the SILC would be participating in these events this year. Brad Westerlund said that based on the current economic situation and the restrictions that have been placed on State staff travel it may be difficult to get approval of SILC travel as well. The Council requested that a discussion of SILC attendance at the National Council on Independent Living be placed on the April agenda.
IL Part B Stimulus Discussion
Federal economic stimulus dollars will be distributed to Rehabilitation Services. It is estimated that $240,000 in Part B dollars will be earmarked for independent living services. The SILC, along with DEED will be involved in determining the uses and distribution of these dollars. RSA will be distributing fact sheets and conducting webinars on how the dollars can be used. Brad will update the council as soon as he hears anything. The April or June SILC meeting will be dedicated for a facilitated discussion regarding possible uses of stimulus money.
Legislative Update
David Hancox discussed the proposed cuts for disability services, in particular the cuts and changes to personal care attendant (PCA) services. David will send Brad a more detailed report. Brad will forward to the SILC.
Hotel Meeting Sites Discussion
Brad and Gail visited the Radisson in Roseville. The following is a cost comparison of the current hotel and the Radisson:
| Guest Rooms | Meeting Space | Food/Beverage | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Hotel | $147.42 | $125.00 | $648.00(Avg.) | $920.42 |
| Radisson Roseville | $119.00 | $300.00* | $550.00 | $969.00 |
Notes:
- The Radisson Roseville requires a one year contract be signed.
- *The food and beverage minimum would be $350.00. (There will be no room charge if we go above the food and beverage minimum.)
- The hotel offers only three accessible rooms. These rooms are in fact accessible, but a bit cramped.
- Doors and meeting rooms are brailled.
- Meeting Rooms are a bit larger.
Brad informed members that the SILC has a contract with the Gateway hotel through September of 2009. Brad will check into whether or not this can be broken or waived. If this is the case, the SILC could meet at the Radisson as early as June 11. If the contract cannot be broken, the SILC could meet at the Radisson in October of 2009.
Judy Sanders moved to authorize DEED to break the contract, at no penalty to the SILC, and to schedule a meeting at the Radisson in Roseville. Ann Zick seconded the motion.
Discussion followed. Members discussed whether or not they wanted to look into other hotels, so they could have more choices. Brad mentioned that he will be visiting a few other hotels and would inform them of the prices and availability of the other facilities. Judy stated that if the other hotels that are visited turn out to be good options, the SILC could try a few and then vote on the best one. The motion carried.
SILC Membership Discussion
Brad Westerlund, Gail Lundeen and Peck met with Annie Paruccini of the Governor's office. This meeting was scheduled to discuss the current status of SILC member appointments. DEED staff reviewed current openings on the council, member reappointments needed, and confirmed applications that have been received by the Governor. DEED was told that new appointments and reappointments will take place some time in April or May of 2009. Brad will update the SILC when he hears anything.
RFP- IL Conference and Emergency Preparedness
The SILC reviewed the current IL conference RFP and process. Brad reviewed the draft RFP with members. Brad will update the RFP and submit to Kim Peck and others within DEED for approval and posting.
The Emergency Preparedness RFP will need to follow this same process. Based on prior discussions with the SILC, Brad will draft the RFP and distribute internally within DEED for approval. The RFP will be posted by the end of April.
Issues, Announcements and Correspondence
Judy Sanders was appointed as Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind. Julia told SILC members that she will not be able to be contacted until April.
Adjournment
The March 12, 2009 meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the SILC, will be held on April 9, 2009 at the Gateway Hotel (formerly Sheraton Minneapolis).
