HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-10 MINUTESCity of Cottage Grove Human Services/Right Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 10, 2002
Members Present: Kathleen Klein, Bruce Schmidt, Michael Watts, Grace Krumm,
Kristin Haertl, Bart Fischer, and Jim Shinn
Members Absent:
Staff Liaison: Scott Johnson
Council Liaison: Rod Hale
Guests: John Walker, South Washington County Housing Coalition
Barbara Klaes
7:10 PM Call to Order
The Commission approved the minutes from the March 13th meeting. Next, the
Commission welcomed Bazbaza Klaes to the meeting to discuss her son Bryan's situation
in a Woodbury Charter School. Bryan is a Cottage Grove resident and the Charter
School will not allow Bryan to bring his guide dog to school to help with his everyday
needs. Bryan needs the help of his service dog Kazen because he suffers from Cerebral
Palsy. Bryan does have an aid that helps him throughout the day. However, Barbua
thinks it is crucial to have Bryan and Karen work together to help with Bryan's
independence. Karen needs to be accompanied by a third party facilitator to be allowed
in the school under federal and state law. Bryan's aid Tate is a licensed third party
facilitator.
The Charter School sent Bazbaza a letter on this subject. The letter informed Barbaza that
Bryan would not be able to have Karen with him in the school even with Tate as the third
party facilitator for Karen. The school has labeled Karen as a companion dog and not a
service dog for Bryan. The school also said Karen was a disruption in school and on the
school bus, Bazbara was never notified of any disruptions and the dog has never been on
the bus. Bryan's current IEP at the school does not allow him to have a service dog.
Also, there may be liability issues with the school and the dog. To help Bryan and
Bazbara with their situation, the Commission made a motion to have the Principal and
other administrators from the school explain their side of the situation.
The Commission made a motion to draft a letter to invite the Principa] and administrative
members of the Charter School to the next Commission meeting. Bruce made the motion
and Bart Fischer seconded the motion. The Commission approved the motion.
Next, the Commission discussed the Senior Housing RFP's for the city. The City
Council recently reviewed the proposals and directed staff to set up a senior housing task
force to discuss the proposals. The task force will consist of 8 members. There will be
two members a piece from the City Council, EDA, Planning Commission, and the
Human Rights/Services Commission. Next, the Commission made a motion to appoint
Kathy Kline and Bruce Schmidt to the senior housing task force. Jim Shinn was also
appointed as an alternate. The motion was seconded by Grace Krumm and approved by
the Commission. Council Member Rod Hale reminded all of the Commission members
that they are more than welcome to sit in on the task force meeting.
The Commission was pleased with the city's responses for the senior housing RFP. They
hope the task force will take into consideration the information the Commission has
collected on this subject.
Also, the Commission made a motion to allow their student member(s) to vote at
meetings and be counted as a part of the quorum for meetings. Grace Krumm seconded
the motion and the Commission approved the motion.
Next, Council Member Rod Hale discussed the Councils five goals for 2002. Finally,
John Walker of the South Washington Housing Coalition gave the Commission an update
on their current project to move homes on to new sites that would be displaced by the
Wakota Bridge Project. The coalition has secured a CDBG grant somewhere in the
amount of $60,000 to $70,000. The coalition is excited about the prospective grant.
Meetings for the coalition are held the fourth Tuesday of every month at Cottage Grove
City Hall.
Jim Shinn made a motion to adjourn. Michael Watts seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned at 9:05 PM.
Next meeting is 7:00 PM May 8, 2002