pages: CommissiononPersonswithDisabilities/2017-07-25.pdf, 11
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CommissiononPersonswithDisabilities | 2017-07-25 | 11 | ITEM 2-B COMMISSION ON DISABILITY ISSUES MEETING MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING ON Tuesday, July 25, 2017 6:30 p.m. thing. Just about two years ago this month, I was asked to staff a commission on disability issues as public works program specialist in charge of overseeing the trash recycling needs of the residents and businesses of Alameda, I was admittedly not as technically skilled as I could be for this area. I know a lot of details about the goings-on of your garbage company's operations, and can recite what goes into the blue and green curbside carts, but I did not know much about accessibility or the needs of the needs of the disabled community in Alameda. Kerry Parker: However, I am good at pulling together an agenda and assisting in meeting management, because I worked with the Alameda Public Works Department for 14 years, I do know how to locate just the right person for whatever issue that might come up, including Andrew Thomas, a city planner. I did commit to streamlining commission processes and to add some formality to the commission by moving into this room. Kerry Parker: We quickly established a rhythm of an increase in regular meetings in 2015. And the fact this meeting is now televised to the residents of Alameda, it's now a meeting that is more accessible to the public. I'm pretty sure you have sensed what I'm leading up to. This will be my last meeting as your city staff liaison for this commission. I will miss working with you guys. I have learned so much, and I've enjoyed working with you all for the past two years. And I'm celebrating this Universal Design ordinance, like the rest of you. Kerry Parker: And so I'm handing off this set of duties to another public works staffer, Laurie Kozisek. Laurie will you please step up to the podium? I would like to read her bio to you, which I think you will agree makes a clear argument of why this staffing shift is happening. Laurie Kozisek is a licensed civil engineer and a certified access specialist, which is CASp for short. With a BS in Civil Engineering and a Masters of Strategic Planning for Critical Infrastructures. She has been working for the city of Alameda Public Works for the past 12 years, and has been a Bay Farm resident for the past 10 years. Kerry Parker: Her current work with the city includes managing the five million dollar Street Repair Program and reviewing private development plans and permits. She has also been active in emergency management planning, sea level rise planning, floodplain management, remodeling the West End in Bay Farm libraries, dredging the South Shore lagoons, and renovating Woodstock Park. Kerry Parker: Before coming to work in Alameda, she lived and worked in Alaska, designing airports, roads, cemeteries, and utilities. She served as a member of the Public Right of Way Access Advisory Committee representing the Municipality of Anchorage. This was a nationwide committee that worked for several years to develop ADA guidance for the public right of way. As part of that effort, she co-edited "Building a True Community" 2001 and co-wrote "Accessible Public Rights of Way Planning and Design for Alterations" in 2007. Kerry Parker: She also served on several boards and commissions concerning transportation and urban planning. In her spare time - Can you imagine she has spare time - Laurie is a phone volunteer for Contra Costa Crisis Center and 211, a disaster response team captain for the American Red Cross, and an usher for the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. She regularly assists October 11, 2017 Page 11 of 13 | CommissiononPersonswithDisabilities/2017-07-25.pdf |