I. ROLL CALL AND GREETING OF VISITORS - The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m.

Commissioners Present – Amy Allard, Alma Almanza, MaryLea Almeida, James Bogan, James Cromarty, Robert Davis, Anna Foglia, Carolyn Hinds, John Pinio.
Commissioners Not Present – James Krossa, and Manuel Ramos.
Guests and Staff Present – Lead Staff to the Governor’s Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities Linda Rogaski, Carmelita Garcia; Equal Opportunity Officer David Medrano; Equal Opportunity Analyst Sonjé Dayries; and Administrative Secretary Elisa Cantu.

II. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Department of Rehabilitation, Salinas Branch Office, Supervisor Steve Hatch invited the commissioners to contact him if they needed assistance or information from the Department of Rehabilitation.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Almeida made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 26, 2006 meeting; motion seconded and carried.

IV. NEW BUSINESS

A. Linda Rogaski, California Employment Development Department
Ms. Rogaski is from the California Employment Development Department and Lead Staff to the Governor’s Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities. She provided an update on Assembly Bill 925 (AB 925), “The Workforce Inclusion Act”. AB 925 requires the California Health and Human Services Agency and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, using existing resources, to create a comprehensive strategy to accomplish various goals aimed at bringing more people with disabilities into employment. The Governor’s Committee is now working on an implementation plan. The public can watch and participate in the implementation process by accessing the website www.edd.ca.gov. She encouraged the commissioners to attend one of the meetings, which are held quarterly. The agenda for the meetings is posted on the website.

Ms. Rogaski relayed that one of the difficulties that the committee has encountered is that the data on the percentage of disabled persons is inaccurate. There is no clear definition on what a disability is in regards to employment. The committee has addressed this issue in the implementation of AB 925. 1) The first step in the implementation is to align the system at the state level so that all state agencies are focusing on employment with the same definitions and efforts. 2) The second step is to help employers understand that the disabled are a skilled workforce. 3) The third step is to provide disabled individuals with the skills to advocate for themselves. To give the disabled the skills to accomplish this the committee is reaching out to groups such as the Department of Veteran Affairs

B. Discuss the proposed Commission on Disabilities Annual Report
Commissioner Almanza suggested incorporating into the 2005 Annual Report the disability awareness training held on July 25, 2005. Commissioner Almeida suggested including Isleen Glatt in the list of presenters in 2005. Commissioner Cromarty suggested listing the names of the cities with a vacancy on the commission. Commissioner Allard noted a few typographical errors. Commissioner Almanza suggested the Annual Report be prepared in size 14 font. Chair Pinio stated that he would incorporate the suggestions into the report and number the pages of the report. Commissioner Cromarty made a motion to approve the 2005 Annual Report with the proposed revisions; the motion was seconded and carried.

C. Equal Opportunity Officer Remarks
Equal Opportunity Officer David Medrano informed the commissioners that he sent a letter to the California Fish and Game Commission (DFG) recommending that DFG eliminate the Monterey Bay Breakwater Cove fishing restriction from any proposed or adopted Marine Life Protection Act.

V. OLD BUSINESS

Outreach Committee Report – Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the outreach committee report; the motion was seconded and carried.

VI. ANNOUNCEMENT AND EVENTS

A. Chair Pinio announced that Commissioner Wiseman has resigned from her position as the Monterey County General Services Director. Equal Opportunity Officer David Medrano announced that pending the final outcome of the reorganization of General Services, he has requested that the Board of Supervisors appoint Monterey County ADA Coordinator Jeffrey Tillery to the Commission.

B. Commissioner Davis introduced his guest Carmelita Garcia, the Chair of the City of Pacific Grove ADA Compliance Advisory Committee. Ms. Garcia invited the commissioners to attend the next ADA Committee Meeting to be held on August 23, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Managers Conference Room.

C. Chair Pinio announced that the Monterey County Parks Foundation will host a barbecue to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Royal Oaks Park on September 25, 2006 at 12 Noon prior to the Commission meeting.

D. Commissioner Bogan announced that the Monterey Bay Veterans, Inc will have the 19th Rock Cod Fishing Derby on September 23, 2006 at the Coast Guard Pier.

VII. FUTURE AGENDA - None.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Chair Pinio declared the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.