Title
Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting of June 2, 2021.
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NEW BUSINESS:
Introduction New Appointed Board Member - Ms. Raquel Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Board of new appointed Board member Ms. Samantha Duran. Ms. Duran introduced herself to Board. All Board members introduced themselves as well.
Board thanked Ms. Liebl for her services as Board Chairperson. Ms. Liebl addressed Board and thanked everyone regarding opportunity given to serve as Board Chairperson.
Election of New Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Board a new chairperson and vice chairperson needed to be elected. Mr. Sando stated he has served in the past as Chair and believes it would be best to nominate
Ms. Mary Palacio-Pike as new Chair and Ms. Philippa Milne as Vice Chair. Ms. Palacio-Pike expressed her gratitude for nomination and accepted same. Ms. Milne did as well her
nomination as Vice Chair. Mr. Sando thanked Ms. Liebl and stated he wishes Ms. Liebl will continue to participate. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised she will be making sure Ms. Liebl will
be kept up to date regarding the Board.
Motion to have Ms. Palacio-Pike as Chairperson and Ms. Milne as Vice Chairperson
Motion by: Blake Sando / 2nd by: Philippa Milne / All approved unanimously.
EEAP - Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program
Fire Division Chief Xavier Jones / Ms. Martha Pantin
Ms. Pantin addressed the Board regarding EEAP Program and introduced Division Chief Jones. Division Chief Jones presented Board with flyer regarding EEAP Program. Division
Chief Jones explained that the EEAP is a Miami-Dade County sponsored program regarding necessary evacuation due to Hurricane or other disaster and the City is making available
the information to members of the community who meet the criteria.
Mr. Sando asked how was this service being handled regarding context of COVID. Division Chief Jones advised that the actual sheltering is the County and they have COVID protocols in place.
Division Chief Jones advised that on the City of Coral Gables website there is a link where people can click on it and register with the County for this program. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated the City is
just facilitating access to the link and there is a criteria stated on the flyer which needs to be met in order to receive the service. Mr. Sando asked if participants will know ahead of time to which
shelter they will be sent to and Chief Jones stated they would. Division Chief Jones explained in a situation of an actual evacuation, the City would be advised of those that needed transportation and
would conduct the transport.
Ms. Palacio-Pike asked if there was a number or other source regarding registration to program due to, she feels there are many people who do not have access to computer or even are fearful of them.
Ms. Palacio-Pike stated it would be good to have a number placed on our City page for those who prefer calling. Division Chief Jones stated people can call 311 or there is as well a TTY line.
Ms. Pantin advised folks who have registered before will be receiving a flyer with information, the City will also be reaching out to various locations where there is a large elderly population, they
will also be attending an Elderly Board meeting and asked if the Board can come up with any other ideas, to please advise them.
Ms. Duran stated she believes it would be good to look into home base community care organizations and perhaps see registries they may have.
Ms. Elejabarrieta stated what is being looked is for Board to share ideas they may have on how to best get the word out regarding having this service available.
Ms. Duran stated City can promote via its social media platforms, via County’s social media platforms. etc. Ms. Pantin stated City will be utilizing its social media platforms as well as including
information and updates on its weekly newsletter.
Mr. Sando asked who would be one to initiate program when needed, Division Chief Jones advised the County Mayor would be the one that would initiate the implementation of the EEAP services.
Division Chief Jones advised the County is also the one that creates and maintains the list and would be the one to advise the City of residents who require the services.
Ms. Milne stated she is agreement with what Ms. Palacio-Pike said having the numbers made accessible on the fliers. Mr. Sando asked if this is the first year for this program. Division Chief Jones
stated it is not a new program, however since it is a County program it has been in the past the County who has promoted it. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated it is a County program and in the past the
City has counted on the County regarding outreach, however the City wants to make sure the information is made available to our residents. Mr. Sando stated that perhaps once the City’s registry
(GUIDE) is made available, it would be a good idea for folks who register for it can be provided information regarding EEAP services and be able to register for it as well.
Ms. Duran asked if this information was going to be mailed. Ms. Pantin advised the informative fliers will be distributed in various ways, including taken to certain buildings and locations identified
using information on list they have from the past, but it will not be mailed out massively. Ms. Duran asked why it was not going to be sending applications along with the fliers. Ms. Pantin
explained folks are required to apply directly via County and that the City is distributing fliers to make the community aware of the available County services.
Mr. Sando asked if a place like the Palace would be one to be contacted. Division Chief Jones advised places such as the Palace are required to have in place their evacuation plans.
Mr. Liebl stated she believes it would be beneficial to perhaps have the fliers placed in places such as a bulletin board in Publix or on the digital Board on Giralda. Ms. Pantin advised she will be
looking into the Publix bulletin boards, however, due to character limitations it makes it difficult to place this information on it. Ms. Palacio-Pike suggested regarding local newspapers as well as
newsletters and Ms. Pantin stated they have worked with both in the past and will do so again.
Board had to Step out due to Fire Alarm - Meeting Stopped - Recording Stopped
Meeting Resumed - 2nd Recording commenced.
OLD BUSINESS:
ADVENTURE DAY FOR ALL - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised information regarding upcoming Adventure Day for All. Ms. Kofkin advised date designated for this year’s event is Sunday, October 10, 2021. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised
after review of past two events, one of which was held on a Saturday and the other on a Sunday, most participating organizations have indicated they prefer Sunday. Mr. Sando asked in regards if a
time had been assigned as well. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated as of now it would be 10:00am. Mr. Sando expressed 10:00am on a Sunday seems to be a slow start and if 11:00am would be considered.
Ms. Palacio-Pike expressed gratitude to the staff for hard work conducted at previous events and feels 11:00am-4:00pm would be perfect. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she would like to know if Adventure
Day for All could also be held at the Youth Center. Ms. Palacio-Pike expressed she feels that if it would be possible to incorporate other factors such as more literacy, farmers market and others
vendors to encourage others to attend who might not attend otherwise. Ms. Milne stated she liked the venue as well of the literacy event and was wondering if the Adventure for Day All Event
could be held there as well. Ms. Milne stated regarding the time for Adventure Day for All she feels holding it earlier rather than later may help with issue of heat, however, understands if this does not
work. Ms. Milne stated the location of the literacy fair was much better due to the canopy. Mr. Sando stated his wife attended the literacy fair and felt it was a better venue. Mr. Sando stated one
of the complaints regarding Adventure Day for All is that it is very hot. Mr. Sando asked if there could be a possibility to consider hosting Adventure Day for All at the same location, Youth Center
as literacy fair was held at. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated change of location could be explored and at next meeting Board will be advised if it will be possible and if it is not, why not. Ms. Elejabarrieta
stated she liked idea regarding pushing time back to 11:00am-4:00pm. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated she liked idea Ms. Palacio-Pike mentioned regarding messaging of event due to some people thinking
it may not be for them. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated perhaps changing messaging, adding vendors from literacy fair and farmers market vendors making this an event for everyone, so there will be something
to do for everyone. Ms. Liebl stated she feels City did a phenomenal job in advertising the Literacy Fair. Ms. Liebl stated there were representatives of schools’ PTA as well and when she reached
out to her school, they were already aware of the event. Mr. Sando asked if Ms. Liebl knew how or who had contacted PTA regarding event, Ms. Liebl stated she believes it would have been
Mr. Samuel Joseph, School Community Relations Board.
Ms. Duran stated regarding having organizations attending the event, that she is in contact with Miami-Dade County Mayor’s office Disability Advocate who is collecting a list of disability and non-profit
organizations in the County and she can request list be sent to her. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised City currently has a list of organizations and resources available for everyone which was completed by
Ms. Kofkin and is on City website. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated she could make list available to Ms. Duran and Ms. Duran could share City’s list with County as well as share their list with us.
Mr. Sando stated typically, it was not expensive for vendors to participate at the event. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated in the past the City for past two years has not charged participants any fees to assure
there would be enough tents. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated however if farmers market vendors who will potentially be able to sell items and make money, the City will be reviewing fee policy, insurance requirements,
set-up, etc.
Mr. Sando stated he believes rebranding message reference Adventure for All to perhaps Adventure Day & Literacy Festival. .
Ms. Milne stated she addressed Ms. Vester of Parks & Recreation, her concern regarding gap experienced at Literacy Festival whereas there were really no contents available for younger adult
participants with a low reading level. Ms. Milne stated for example at a book festival, there is content available for younger children and for older adults, but none for someone like her son. Ms. Milne
stated Ms. Vester advised she would make participating vendors aware of this and ask if there would be something which can be included next time.
Ms. Elejabarrieta asked Ms. Kofkin to address Board regarding Lighthouse for the Blind event. Ms. Kofkin advised Board of a virtual game which was updated for participants from Lighthouse for the
Blind to enjoy it.
Mr. Sando asked Ms. Kofkin regarding summer camp and covid, how it is going to work. Ms. Kofkin advised they will continue current Covid protocol, staff will continue to wear mask as well as
kids participating and maintain smaller groups. Ms. Palacio-Pike asked regarding kids wearing masks and heat. Ms. Kofkin stated after addressing matter with parents, many agreed and felt it would
be best for the children to wear masks. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated public school system has advised when children are outside, they are not required to wear mask and asked Ms. Kofkin will that be
the same for summer camp participants. Ms. Kofkin advised staff is reviewing and still discussing matter.
Mr. Sando advised regarding Literacy Event that it was an outstanding event however, his wife informed him there was an issue reference handicap parking. Mr. Sando stated although it was no one’s
fault, handicap parking was not easily available and staff present were not informed of where the spaces were. Mr. Sando stated it would be best to keep this in mind for future events at this location.
Ms. Duran stated she would be meeting representative of Miami-Dade County who oversee handicap parking for the County and perhaps this could be addressed. Ms. Liebl stated handicap parking spaces
at this location are in the front so perhaps a solution for next year would be to push event a bit further back, allowing the spaces in front to be available. Ms. Duran stated at Miami Dade Community College
- North Campus during vaccination program they turned regular parking spaces into handicap ones temporally. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated this issue will be taken into consideration for next year’s literacy
festival. Mr. Sando asked if they know how many people attended Literacy Festival and Ms. Palacio-Pike advised Ms. Vester said there were approximately twelve hundred people. Ms. Elejabarrieta
stated that is a huge number for a first-time event and during a pandemic. Mr. Sando stated with this turn out, it should not be an issue to host Adventure Day for All at Youth Center. Mr. Sando asked
how many people attended last Adventure Day for All event and Ms. Elejabarrieta advised it was between four hundred to six hundred.
Ms. Milne asked if attendees to the Literacy Festival at Youth Center were able to use the restrooms at the center. Kofkin advised they used the Youth Center restrooms. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated the
Youth Center restrooms were used however additional restroom may be needed.
Next Board Meeting: Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised as of June 14, 2021 all Board meetings must be held in person, therefore next ADA meeting scheduled for July 7, 2021 all Board members must attend in person. Ms. Elejabarrieta
advised like in past, if a Board member is not able to attend in person, they will be able to call in. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised CMR located in Public Safety Building is permanent meeting location.
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised meeting will take place once again on first Wednesday of the month at 10:00am. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised this could be changed if Board feels it needs to.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
NEXT MEETING: July 7, 2021
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 11:05am
Motion to Adjourn: Mr. Blake Sando / 2nd Ms. Ms. Philippa Milne