January 21, 2010 Minutes

Present: Tony Albert, Edith Yang, Jack Chase, Mark Chase, Judy Heath, Mary Marsh King, Dean Codo, Linda Wagner, Paul Mullett, Mike Mullett, Hugh White, Ronald Naasko, Jim Smith. Special Guest: Linda Modrell, Benton County Commissioner.

Meeting began at 12:00, Noon.

A. Commissioner Linda Modrell met with ABC at our request. ABC wanted to inform the County about our goals and ways that ABC might provide services to Benton County such as surveying facilities for handicapped accessibility improvements. We were delighted to learn that Linda had taken the wheel chair tour during the Abilities Awareness/Wheel Chair Day in August. She said that she really was amazed at how difficult it was to travel on public sidewalks and streets in a wheel chair. She learned that even slight obstructions or angled-ramps presented big problems for her during this exercise. We applaud her participation and description of her experience! Linda gave us the names of some County staff that we can contact to offer our services or input on access. She also shared information about County parks and, in particular, the plans for the Salmonberry Fishing Platform. This addition to the existing park will be handicapped accessible with ADA parking, paved paths, and an accessible fishing platform! This park is located West of Corvallis on Highway 34 just past Alsea a few miles. ABC will plan to visit the Park when the platform is completed.

Click here for park website.

We discussed the County Fairgrounds and will offer our survey services to the new Manager. We learned that it is a distant project, but that the County is discussing a proposed county administration building. A goal is that it be built without costing taxpayers money if a debt payment arrangement rather than bond levy could be structured.

Transportation needs for now and in the future for Benton County residents continue to be planned. Connecting citizens
in Benton County with essential services is a high priority focus of the Commissioners. This requires considerable planning, coordination of services with other governmental entities, and identifying opportunities for efficient transportation. Travel from Corvallis to Portland is an especially important objective for public transportation. There is an Association of Counties organization that Linda described to us. This Association has the goal to make a statewide plan for improved public transportation. The Association works to get the "users of transportation" talking with the providers of the transportation. Other public transportation related interest groups are the Corvallis Metro Planning Organization, ACT (Linn, Benton, Lincoln Counties), and the Park and Natural Areas Group.


Discussed concerns for lack of good public information outreach concerning Dial-a-Bus (DAB). Still some public misunderstanding about time lines needed to arrange travel for qualified riders. Some qualified riders do not think they
are eligible for DAB service. ABC will add information to it's website concerning DAB. Gazette Times newspaper will be asked to help with getting encouraging and accurate information out to the public. Also, there is a quarterly newsletter that the County publishes. Mr. Rick Osborn oversees this newsletter. Perhaps somebody from ABC could write an article
for the quarterly!

Thank you, Linda, for sharing your time and knowledge with ABC!


B. Minutes of November 19, 2009 approved as amended: Page 2 under Special Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC), the word "City" will be stricken and substituted by "County". STAC is a Benton County advisory commission.

C. Treasurer's Report. Balance will include expenditures for Holiday Luncheon costs for guests and $44.00 fee for one year Post Office Box for ABC Administration.

D. Correspondence: (1) From Chris Westfall, Code Enforcement Supervisor, City of Corvallis concerning public review of the Sidewalk Cafe Provisions on February 4th at 4 p.m. in the Madison Avenue Meeting Room. (2) From Information and Referral noting that ABC will be in the Resource Guide listing for this year.

E. Continuing Business:

1. ABC discussed and planned specifics concerning Keith's Award for 2009.

2. Special Guest for April 15th ABC Meeting. We have arranged for Vicki Lein to give a special presentation at our April meeting.

3. Website Upgrades/Ideas. ABC will coordinate with our Webmaster to add new information of potential value to readers at our website. New links will likely include Dial-a-bus information, ramp and grab bar resources, medical transportation vendors, vehicle modification vendors.

4. ABC welcomed 15 persons to our annual luncheon celebration!

5. ABC will recommend signage to help persons needing assistance to enter the restaurant that recently installed an electric door bell that alerts their staff to assist persons with disabilities who require the help to enter their facility. Signage at the spot where the buzzer is located will be encouraged.

F. New Business:

1. Mr. Dean Codo shared his concerns about vegetation blocking some public sidewalks. He has done considerable research on resources with the City of Corvallis that might get the clearing of the sidewalks done, especially where safety concerns are possibly present. ABC referred Dean to Mr. Bob Fenner, Corvallis Facilities Manager and ABC liaison with City of Corvallis.


Meeting Adjourned at 1 p.m. Next ABC Meeting February 18, 2010, Noon

Commissioner's Meeting Room, Benton Plaza.