Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities Committee Minutes Hybrid Meeting, hosted virtually via Zoom and in person at Tacoma Municipal Building Friday November 08, 2024 Call to Order Vice Chair Edick called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM. Land Acknowledgement read out loud by Lucas Smiraldo Commissioners Present Officers: Vice Chair Haley Edick (Hester arrived later) Commissioners: Lukas Barfield, Billie Periman, Wanda McRae, Carletta Skinner, Shatone Martin, Tony Caldwell, Cheri Coleman Commissioners Absent Sidhu (excused) City Staff Present Lucas Smiraldo, Gail Himes Guests Present – Community Cole Shrim, Sarah Rasor and Eric Lahti Ice Breaker “What is one of your inspirational books or readings” Adoption of Agenda Periman moves to adopt, Caldwell seconds. Passed unanimously Acceptance of Minutes Caldwell motions to accept. Coleman seconds. Passed unanimously Public Comment None Presentation Cole Shrim Tacoma Psychedelic Society Psychedelics have proven successful in treating * Substance Use Disorder * Alcohol Use Disorder * PTSD * Treatment-Resistant Depression * Anxiety * Existential Distress due to Terminal Illness * And promising results with: * ADHD * Eating disorders and others Key areas of service include * Education * Advocacy * Community Building Advocacy: * Presented City Council with a Resolution to decriminalize entheogenic plants * Partnered with area organizations with shared values * Begun to establish a media presence TPS Decriminalization Resolution: * Removes stigma and fear for practitioners and people who benefit emotionally, medically, spiritually * Improves safety by making it safe to share and access information * Improves access to trained facilitators, bringing it above ground * Removes use of City funds to enforce antiquated laws against entheogens * Does not allow distribution to or consumption by minors, or driving under influence Why TACOD? Depression, Anxiety and Substance Use Disorder (with exception of alcohol) are all significantly more prevalent among people living with disabilities than in the general population. Promising results for the treatment of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. A letter of endorsement from the Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities would make a difference to us. Commissioners engaged in question and answer after. Topics included * Interaction with parent approval. * Cost * Monitoring of use and safety protections The use of substances is gifted, not in entrepreneurial model. Society includes people who can mentor on growing of natural plants and can share concerns around red flags and green flags. TACOD Support Letter Discussion—Lukas Barfield Commissioner Barfield shared a draft letter with the Commissioners to support a potential resolution decriminalizing psychedelics. Coleman moved to approval draft letter. Seconded by Martin. Commissioners voted unanimously in support of the letter Chair Reports • Vice Chair Edick – Council for the Blind has received funding to help people with vote and to make access to transportation easier. Liaison Report – Office of Equity & Human Rights – Lucas Smiraldo 1. Feasibility Study Update – Discussion is now between Lucas’s leadership and Public Works. Will offer update next month. 2. Update on Equity Index and Map Seven CBC Members attended and presentation helped simplify how to use Index as a tool for members in furthering their missions through and equity lens and offering consultation to City Council. 3. Combined Office: Lucas explained the joining of four offices including OEHR. Name will be Office of Policy and Strategic Priorities. Team building and common agenda is being built during the first month. In person commissioners are welcome to join Lucas for a brief tour after the meeting to see where office is located. Subcommittee Reports Disability Resources and Access Platforms Coleman and Caldwell Tacoma has abundance of platforms and resources for disability community. The challenge is how to coordinate those resources. Need to get word out and to place information where people can find them. Every caregiver should access people where they are. Examples in past have been PC@ Guide and Northwest Resource Guide. Where do we centralize information for more access and success? A great app is “On The Road” Public Works Caldwell ask Gail Himes to offer Public Works and ADA update: Gail Himes offered an update on the McKinley project and work on connecting Pacific and 64th to McKinley and 64th. Also 900-million-dollar Public Works Levy would greatly enhance the city and build in new equitable investments to areas of the city that have been historically under prioritized. Transportation Edick reported that transit updated its website and will report how effective updates have been at next meeting Caldwell—Pierce Bus added express routes to and from Spanaway and downtown on Bu lines 1 and 712. Stops every quarter mile. Barfield—Pierce busses are more accessible, and stops are listed in ticker. Edick: Still doesn’t give directional corner so that blind folks know where they are exiting. Action Items * Forward TACOD letter of support for decriminalization of Psychedelics when the issue comes before Council * Transportation will report on access to website for Pierce Transit next month. Emergency Management— No Report Ivan Tudela– Pierce County Human Services No Report Report from PCAC No Report Committee Reports See above Individual Commissioner Reports None Invitation for Community Input None New Business or Good of the Order None Adjournment 6:03 PM COD Members:, Chair; Amin Tony Hester, Vice Chair: Hayley Edick, Anthony Caldwell, Lukas Barfield, Cheri D. Coleman, Aimee Sidhu, Wanda McRae, Billie Periman and Shatone Martin and Carletta Skinner. City of Tacoma • Committees, Boards and Commissions cityoftacoma.org/cbc • 747 Market Street, 12th Floor • Tacoma, WA 98402-3701 The views and opinions expressed herein do not reflect the official position of the City of Tacoma or City Council and shall not be used to endorse a candidate for office or ballot measure. If you need this information in an alternative format, please contact Lucas Smiraldo at 253-591-5048, or 711, or Washington Relay Services 1-800-833-6384.