Minutes for December 13, 2001

Meeting Location:  Four Points (Midway) Sheraton, St. Paul

Present:  Lois Johnson, Cory Heit, Karen Larson, Bryan Jensen, Roseann Faber, Mary Pennington, Phyllis Coppess, Janiece Duffy, Sharon Johnson, Ann Zick, Linda Lingen, Cara Ruff, Rand Stenhjem, Joe Ascheman, Bill Bauer, Brad Westerlund.

Absent:  Connie Lee Berg (excused), Terry Graff (excused), Rick Cardenas, Rosemary Laberge, Hulet Sherry (excused).   

Guests:  Lee Schultz, Kim Haxton, Alan Augustin, David Hancox, Steve Thovson, David Schwartzkopf, Ted Siebert, ASL interpreters Gretchan Duggan and Mary Borrmann.

Call to Order:  The December 13, 2001 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Lois Johnson, vice chair.  Introductions of members and guests followed, which included each person’s reason/s for participating on the SILC, or working in IL. 

Approval of December Agenda and October Minutes:  There were no requests for revisions to the October 19, 2001 SILC minutes.  The minutes were approved, as written, by consensus.  There were two additions to the December agenda, which were a transition update, and the rescheduling of the “Parents with Disabilities” conference.  The December 13 agenda was approved by consensus, as revised. 

Regular Reports:  Lois stated that she would entertain a motion to eliminate oral presentations of regular reports (State Rehabilitation Council, State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living, 121 Project); rather, these reports would be written as “action minutes” prior to future meetings, submitted to Bill, and mailed with the SILC packets. Cara so moved, and Karen seconded. It was discussed that if there were something of great importance with one of these organizations providing regular reports, it could be presented during the “announcements” portion of meetings.  The motion carried. 

Transition Task Force Report:  Rand reported that the final recommendation from the various councils and groups for the restructuring of MDES were, (1) a new department for disability-related programs, (2) the placement of disability-related programs in the new department for workforce and economic development, and (3) the placement of State Services for the Blind (SSB) in the Department of Administration.  The transition team determined that MDES’ programs, for the most part, will be housed in the new workforce and economic development department, which will be overseen by a “governor’s board.”  Rand noted that there are no people with disabilities presently under consideration for this board.  Discussion followed, with the majority of SILC members feeling that their work on the MDES restructuring was a waste of time and an exercise in futility, because a majority of SILC members felt that the decision had already been made prior to receiving the various councils’ and groups’ recommendations. 

Linda reported that the blind consumer organizations met with the chair of the transition team to discuss the blind community’s issues and concerns. 

Rand reported that no name has yet been given to this new department, which will include trade, tourism, workforce and economic development, and MNSCU.  Lois commented that the SILC would have to fight harder for visibility.  Concern was also expressed regarding the SILC falling under Minnesota Economic Leadership Team indicators.  There was also concern surrounding disability programs landing in a “mega” department. 

Parents with Disabilities Conference:  Bryan reported that the conference will be held in the Oakland, CA on May 2-4, 2002.  The SILC will sponsor Bryan’s attendance. 

MACIL Report:  Cara reported that this is her final meeting, and that MACIL is recommending that the governor appoint David Hancox as the Centers’ representative on the SILC. 

Cara reported MACIL’s concerns with the state budget crisis.  It is not presently known whether IL will experience cuts, nor is it known how deep such a cut will be should it occur.  MACIL will be closely monitoring this situation. 

Birth Announcement:  Ethan Hunt Stenhjem was born on November 30 weighing in at nine pounds three ounces.  Congratulations to Rand and Pam. 

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRCB) Report:  Roseann commented on the hours dedicated to the transition process.  She stated that the blind community is extremely frustrated with the transition team’s decision.  The next SRCB meeting is Monday, December 17, 2001. 

121 Project Report:  Due to Connie’s absence, there was no report.

Visitors’ Comments:  There were no comments. 

FFY 2001 704 Update:  Bill reported that the first draft of the annual 704 Part 1 report is nearing completion, and that SILC members would be receiving either e-mail or hard copies (for those without e-mail) within a week.  Bill asked all council members to review the narrative, and either e-mail or phone him with their comments.  Bill reported that Centers must have their Part 2 reports on his desk no later that December 31, 2001.  The deadline for Minnesota’s aggregated 704 report is January 31, 2002. 

Given the January deadline, and the fact that there is no January SILC meeting, Lois asked council members how the report would be approved.  Cory moved, Sharon seconded, that Connie be authorized by the full council to sign the FFY 2001 704 aggregated report.  The motion carried. 

In that there are two SILC members who do not have computer technology, Cara advised the SILC that there are various community-based organizations that refurbish and donate computers to people with disabilities. 

Independence First CIL, Milwaukee:  Lee Schultz, executive director of Independence First, provided the SILC with a brief biography. 

Schultz reported that Wisconsin has eight Centers, three of which are Federally-funded.  Wisconsin’s Federal IL appropriations for Parts B and C are approximately $700,000 and state IL funds are slightly over $1.0 million. 

Base-funding for Centers in Wisconsin was set at $250,000 over six years ago, according to Schultz.  Wisconsin’s state-funded Centers must comply with Federal CIL laws and regulations. The Department of Community Living administers state IL dollars, while Part B dollars for the SILC are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.  As in Minnesota, administrative, technical and other support to the SILC is provided by state employees.  Wisconsin’s Part B funds are approximately $340,000 and, according to Schultz, $140,000 is utilized for the administration of the SILC.  The SILC annually awards $45,000 in Part B funds to the Wisconsin Coalition of Centers for IL.  An additional $55,000 goes to consumer-controlled groups through five $11,000 grants.  The Wisconsin SILC annually utilizes $64,000 for outreach through $8000 grants to the eight Centers.  The SILC also provides $8000 to $16,000 annually for peer reviews of the Centers.  Approximately $30,000 is utilized by the SILC for hearings, web-sites, SPIL development and evaluations, etcetera.  Schultz stated that there was a long battle over Part B dollars.  Schultz stated that the Wisconsin SILC has experienced problems with the governor making appointments. 

Schultz stated that Wisconsin’s coalition of Centers shares information between the Centers and other disability groups.  The coalition provides, according to Schultz, “education and advocacy.”  The coalition got PAS reimbursements raised to $15.50 an hour, got base-funding passed, and “advocated” for funding for three new Centers.  The coalition works on both state and national issues; e.g., attempted to get state dollars to replace lost Federal “Tec Act” dollars.  The coalition has also been working on transportation and health care matters.  This coalition of Centers partners with the SILC.  As with Minnesota, Wisconsin is about to undergo state budget cuts of five to ten percent. 

Questions, answers and discussions followed.  Lee distributed “Independence First” calendars which feature people with disabilities at work. 

Committee Reports:  Cory reported that the SILC received eight grant requests.  The Finance Committee’s reviewers will evaluate and score these proposals, then discuss each reviewer’s findings during a conference call to be held on January 3.  The reviewers’ recommendations will be presented to the full council for approval during the February meeting.  Cory reported that the SILC may have five to seven thousand remaining, as of the close of FFY 2001.  Cory also reported that the SILC continues to be operating on “continuing resolutions.” 

Sharon reported for the Education and Advocacy Committee.  The committee discussed creating a packet for new members.  More long-term SILC members may serve as mentors to new members.  The SILC’s current orientation training will be reviewed.  The committee determined that the monitoring and evaluation of unserved/underserved groups is the responsibility of the Education and Advocacy Committee.  A survey will be developed and distributed to SILC members and Centers, in order to determine who the unserved/underserved groups are, and what the SILC can do to facilitate better IL services for these groups.  The finding will be presented at this year’s out-state meeting.  Sharon reported that she is working on an acronym list, and asked council members to submit any acronyms they feel should be included. 

Ann and Mary reviewed potential training topics.  The committee may provide web addresses for some training issues.  The committee would also like to announce SILC semi monthly trainings in advance.  Bryan would like the SILC manual to be on disc.  It was pointed out that many, but not all, of the materials in the manual are stored electronically.  A question arose regarding the Centers’ web-site addresses.  These can be found at www.macil.org. 

Karen asked how the planning was going for the out-state training.  The training will be held in Rochester, at SEMCIL, on June 12-13, 2002. 

Lois reported that the SPIL Committee did not meet this month. She stated that the committee will not meet until all of the FFY 2001 704 data are submitted and aggregated. 

A report was provided by members of the Collaboration Task Force.  The Centers developed a list of five points or issues, and SILC members must draft their own “discussion” points.  (The Center’s five points are included in this mailing.) Lois asked council members having comments to contact Bill.  The next Collaboration Task Force meeting will be held on February 13, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. at the Midway Sheraton.  It was mentioned that the task force was developed to, “support and grow IL statewide.” 

Issues, Correspondence, Announcements:  Bryan discussed the upcoming PASS workshop in St. Paul.  Bryan requested the SILC to reimburse his mileage expenses.  Discussion followed, but there was no motion to sponsor any SILC member for attending this training.  Karen commented that any SILC member wanting to attend a training at the SILC’s expense should first submit a written request to the SILC Chair. 

Karen discussed ARC’s November 2-3 State convention.  She reported that there were workshops on “dreams,” and how to make them a reality.  Karen reported on some dreams that were accomplished by people with developmental disabilities.  Karen announced that KARE 11 News received an award for the station’s report on a person with DD whose dream was to play on his school’s basketball team.

Lois asked who will be going off of the SILC as of January 1.  Rand stated that he was, and Lois thanked him for his years of service.  Rand has been on the SILC since its inception. 

Joe announced that MCIL is having a holiday celebration from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. today at MCIL.  All present were invited to attend. 

Bill reminded council members of the 704 deadline, and to review the draft narrative as soon as possible.  Bill also advised council members of new security policies at MDES. 

Lois reminded council members that Cory, Connie, Bill, Brad and she would be attending the SILC Congress in San Diego on January 6-10, 2002. 

Karen provided a list of absentee SILC members, read the SILC’s by-laws on the subject, and reminded all present that after three consecutive absences, a letter must be submitted requesting an absentee member to either attend the next meeting, or resign.  Lois reminded all council members that they must contact Bill if they are unable to attend a meeting.  Discussion followed regarding members who are counted as present, but only attend part of the meeting.  Cory moved, Rand seconded, that one must be present for a majority (over three hours) of any meeting to be counted as present and to be eligible to submit a bill for attending that meeting.  The motion carried.  Absentee members are Rick Cardenas, Terry Graff (all missed meetings were excused), Rosemary Laberge, and Hulet Sherry (all missed meetings were excused).  Linda stated that Rosemary plans to resign from the council due to some health issues.  Cory moved, Bryan seconded, that a letter be submitted to the Secretary of State requesting that one absentee member not be reappointed, if this individual submitted a new application.  There was no further discussion, and the motion carried. 

Next Meeting, Adjournment:  The next SILC meeting will be on February 14, 2002 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Four Points (Midway) Sheraton, St. Paul.  The December 13, 2001 meeting of the SILC adjourned at 2:25 p.m.