OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Disabilities Advisory Commission Meeting - May 7, 2025

Other — Wednesday, May 7, 2025
BodySacramento, California
SessionOther
DateWednesday, May 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:51:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Chair Vice Chair, we're ready when you are.

0:10

Uh thank you, Clerk.

0:12

Uh I want to welcome everyone to uh this May 7th meeting of the City of Sacramento Disability Advisory Commission.

0:22

Um Clerk, can you please call the roll?

0:26

Thank you, Vice Chair.

0:27

Commissioners, if you can please unmute your microphones.

0:31

Commissioner Greenbaum.

0:33

Present.

0:35

Commissioner Barnbum.

0:37

Here.

0:38

Commissioner Patel.

0:40

Here.

0:41

Commissioner Wilson.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Commissioner Dyson.

0:45

Here.

0:46

Thank you.

0:47

Commissioner Tuzon Boyd.

0:48

Here.

0:49

Commissioner Mercer.

0:51

Present.

0:52

Commissioner Carr.

0:54

Present.

0:55

Commissioner Crowley is currently absent.

0:58

Chair Kramer is currently absent.

1:00

And Vice Chair Ellis.

1:01

Present.

1:01

Thank you.

1:02

We have a quorum.

1:03

All right.

1:03

Well, everyone please rise if you're able and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:11

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:19

One nation under God.

1:22

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:26

And uh Commissioner Mercer, will you please lead us in the land acknowledgement?

1:31

Sure.

1:32

Um, please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands to the original people of this land, the Nas and M people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Mewok, Potwan Wintoon people, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe.

1:51

May we acknowledge and honor the Native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today an active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples, history, contributions, and lives.

2:08

Thank you.

2:14

Alrighty, thank you all.

2:15

And you may be seated.

2:17

And then the consent calendar is that.

2:25

Oh, public comment.

2:27

Okay.

2:29

Thank you all for joining us, and we were gonna take um things a little bit out of order on our agenda.

2:35

Uh on the agenda, we have matters, um, public comment for matters not on the agenda at the end, but at the chair's discretion, I can move it to the beginning of the agenda and the beginning of our meeting.

2:46

So we're going to go take that up now without objection from any of our commissioners.

2:53

Uh seeing none.

2:55

Um I do have a special request to have the uh half dozen guests I brought today um to speak on matters not on the agenda.

3:08

Um they were given speaker cards in specific order to the uh clerk.

3:13

If you're able to, with your discretion, in a matter of interest of their time, you can give them four minutes each, and then they will um present their case to us.

3:25

Thank you.

3:27

Yeah, I believe that is within the purview.

3:30

Um Madam Clerk that I can give up.

3:34

Okay, yeah, we will do um each speaker will be allotted up to four minutes.

3:39

Um Madam Clerk, uh, can you please review the procedures for public comment and uh call any of those who have provided you uh comment cards?

3:48

Yes, so as vice chair uh reiterated, we will take public comments matters not on the agenda.

3:53

Um and each speaker is allotted four minutes to speak.

3:56

Our first speaker is Dr.

3:57

Flo Kurkofer.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████13%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Disability Access██████████10%
Public Comments█████████9%
Accessibility█████████9%
Public Works█████████9%
Public Transportation████████8%
Disabilities Advisory Commission███████7%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Disabilities Advisory Commission Meeting - May 7, 2025

The Sacramento Disabilities Advisory Commission (DAC) met on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 5:35 PM to 8:26 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a special presentation of the Tim Haley Awards, a consent calendar, and two major discussion items: the "Return Me Safe" police registry and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan Update. Public comments focused on a dangerous intersection near New Technology Early College High School. The commission also addressed RT paratransit issues and made plans for future agenda items.

Tim Haley Awards

  • Commissioner Tuzon Boyd and Commissioner Patel led the presentation of the 2025 Tim Haley Awards, recognizing community members who advance inclusion, access, and equity for individuals with disabilities.
  • Recipients present included: Valen Byrd (founder of Artism), Randy and Marivelle Kamasura (healthcare and child care), Bridget Barsotti (educator), Barbara and Pete Sterling (co-directors of Bees Academy), Barbara Altis (veteran and health educator), Monique Jenkins (massage therapist and volunteer), and John Crowley (math teacher).
  • Awards were also accepted on behalf of Patricia Dobrowski and Monica Serrano, who could not attend.

Consent Calendar

  • The commission unanimously approved the April 2, 2024 meeting minutes (File ID 2025-00008) and the Follow-Up Log (File ID 2025-00123).
  • Motion by Vice Chair Ellis, second by Commissioner Tuzon Boyd. All commissioners present voted aye.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Six speakers from New Technology Early College High School addressed the commission about the dangerous intersection of Freeport Boulevard and Kitchener Street. They reported multiple near-miss collisions and a 2017 fatality at that intersection. The existing painted crosswalk is insufficient, and a traffic signal is in final design but construction is not expected until summer 2026. Speakers requested the commission advocate for an interim stop sign or accelerated signal installation.
    • Dr. Flo Kofer (community mother) asked the commission to put the item on the June agenda to request city council accelerate the timeline.
    • Hunter (senior) described being nearly hit by a car and urged a cost-effective stop sign.
    • E Smith (15-year-old first-time bus rider) expressed fear crossing the road.
    • Evan Silva (student) noted that the bus stop lacks a crosswalk or sign, and he feels at risk.
    • Warren Silva (parent) highlighted new urgency from students using the intersection throughout the day for college classes.
    • Jessica Martin (principal) emphasized that 90% of students use the bus twice daily, and students with disabilities are less able to react quickly.
  • Commissioner Barnbaum made a motion to place the intersection safety issue on the June 4, 2025 agenda, but the clerk explained that formal action was not needed; the chair and vice chair agreed to work with staff to include a report.

Discussion Items

1. Return Me Safe Program (File ID 2025-00922)

  • Officer Alison Smith from the Sacramento Police Department presented the voluntary, free, confidential online registry for individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, or memory issues. Launched in November 2024, the program allows caregivers to enter information to improve police interactions and response to missing persons. Only a handful of registrants (approximately 10) are currently enrolled.
  • Commissioners discussed the need for wider outreach, community events, and potential inclusion with local alerts. Officer Smith offered to present to other groups. The program automatically purges data after three years.

2. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan Update (File ID 2025-00974)

  • Philip Vulliet, Senior Engineer, presented the updated self-evaluation and transition plan for the public right-of-way. The plan is complete and will be submitted to City Council for approval, targeted for June 2025.
  • Key components: a new GIS tracking module for sidewalks, curb ramps, and accessible pedestrian signals (APS); a policy change requiring APS with every signal modification; and a public outreach survey (August 2023 – September 2024) with multiple formats. The city maintains 3,200 miles of sidewalk and 850 signalized intersections; most public infrastructure is deemed non-ADA compliant due to lack of records.
  • Commissioners asked about pedestrian crossing timing, the Freeport/Kitchener intersection, and the need for a public interface for barrier reporting. The commission also discussed special events and ensuring accessibility during temporary street closures.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
  • Return Me Safe program reviewed; commissioners will help promote the registry through their networks.
  • ADA Transition Plan reviewed; comments and direction provided. The plan is slated for City Council approval in June 2025.
  • Freeport/Kitchener intersection safety issue will be placed on the June 4, 2025 DAC agenda for a staff report and update. Commissioner Patel suggested inviting Sacramento Regional Transit to discuss bus stop relocation as an interim solution.
  • RT Paratransit issues were raised by Commissioner Tuzon Boyd, noting the failed transition to a new app and scheduling system. Commissioners encouraged direct public comment to RT; Commissioner Barnbaum provided the next RT board meeting date (May 12, 2025).
  • Commissioner Mercer requested an agenda item on emergency planning for people with disabilities.
  • The meeting was extended past two hours by a unanimous vote.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Chair Vice Chair, we're ready when you are. Uh thank you, Clerk. Uh I want to welcome everyone to uh this May 7th meeting of the City of Sacramento Disability Advisory Commission. Um Clerk, can you please call the roll? Thank you, Vice Chair. Commissioners, if you can please unmute your microphones. Commissioner Greenbaum. Present. Commissioner Barnbum. Here. Commissioner Patel. Here. Commissioner Wilson. Here. Commissioner Dyson. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Tuzon Boyd. Here. Commissioner Mercer. Present. Commissioner Carr. Present. Commissioner Crowley is currently absent. Chair Kramer is currently absent. And Vice Chair Ellis. Present. Thank you. We have a quorum. All right. Well, everyone please rise if you're able and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. And uh Commissioner Mercer, will you please lead us in the land acknowledgement? Sure. Um, please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands to the original people of this land, the Nas and M people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Mewok, Potwan Wintoon people, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the Native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today an active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples, history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Alrighty, thank you all. And you may be seated. And then the consent calendar is that. Oh, public comment. Okay. Thank you all for joining us, and we were gonna take um things a little bit out of order on our agenda. Uh on the agenda, we have matters, um, public comment for matters not on the agenda at the end, but at the chair's discretion, I can move it to the beginning of the agenda and the beginning of our meeting. So we're going to go take that up now without objection from any of our commissioners. Uh seeing none. Um I do have a special request to have the uh half dozen guests I brought today um to speak on matters not on the agenda. Um they were given speaker cards in specific order to the uh clerk.

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