Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE XVII, SECTIONS 2-95 AND 2-96, OF THE DULUTH CITY CODE TO REDUCE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES FROM 17 TO NINE, MAKE THE QUALIFYING CRITERIA TO BE A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION LESS RESTRICTIVE, AND UPDATE THE DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
The city of Duluth does ordain:
Section 1. That Chapter 2, Article XVII, Section 2-95, of the Duluth City Code be amended as follows:
Sec. 2-95. Creation of commission; membership.
A commission is hereby established which shall be known as the commission on disabilities. The commission's purpose will be to advise the mayor and city council on all matters affecting persons with disabilities and help all residents and visitors enjoy more complete accessibility to community resources, including housing, employment and transportation. related to those persons who, because of substantial physical, mental or emotional disabilities or dysfunctions, require special services in order to enjoy the benefits of our society. The commission shall have a chairperson and 16 other nine members, who shall be appointed by the mayor, but only with and be subject to the approval of the city council. In 2020, three members shall be appointed to a three year term ending in 2023 and one member shall be appointed to a four year term ending in 2024. In 2021, two members shall be appointed to a three year term ending in 2024 and two members shall be appointed to a four year term ending in 2025. In 2022, one member will be appointed to a three year term ending in 2025. Of the 17 persons first appointed and approved for membership on the commission, five persons shall be appointed for a term of four years, one of whom shall be appointed chairperson; five persons shall be appointed for a term of three years; five persons shall be appointed for a term of two years; and two persons shall be appointed for a term of one year. Thereafter, any person appointed to the commission shall be appointed for a term of three years. The commission members should be residents of the city. At least five members should be persons with disabilities. The remainder of the members should consist of persons who utilize services intended for persons with disabilities, persons who provide services to persons with disabilities, and persons who have experience and expertise on issues relevant to the Commission’s duties. Members should broadly represent all geographic areas of the city. Persons shall be selected for appointment so that not less than 1/2 of the members will be disabled persons; not less than 1/3 of the members will be users or consumers of special services for disabled persons; not less than 1/3 of the members will be providers of special services for disabled persons; and each councilman’s district of the city will contain the residence of not less than two members. Any member or former member may be re-appointed. Members shall serve without compensation.
Section 2. That Chapter 2, Article XVII, Section 2-96, of the Duluth City Code be amended as follows:
Sec. 2-96. Duties of commission.
The duties of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) To assess the needs of disabled persons with disabilities regarding matters such as employment, housing, transportation, accessibility, and equal rights, and to advise the mayor and the city council of such assessments as the mayor or council may request or as the commission may deem appropriate;
(b) To advise the mayor and the city council about legislative matters pertaining to disabled persons with disabilities, and to recommend to the mayor and the council proposed legislation which the commission deems appropriate for the benefit of disabled impacting persons with disabilities;
(c) To advise the mayor and the city council in conjunction with on the application of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act to the city;
(d) To promote and conduct programs designed to increase public awareness of issues affecting persons with disabilities in the community; inform the public about the problems of disabled people;
(e) To further the awareness of disabled persons as to the rehabilitation, training, and placement services available to them, and to encourage them to use such services;To promote proactive and holistic community policies, programs and resources to improve accessibility for everyone;
(f) To be a resource for persons with disabilities to access available rehabilitation, training, and placement services, promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and to help employers recruit, hire, retain and advance workers with disabilities; awareness by employers and the public of the valuable abilities and performances of suitably employed disabled persons;
(g) To promote the acceptance, accommodation, education, training and employment of disabled persons;
(hg) To encourage the development of coordinated, interdepartmental goals and objectives and the coordination of programs, services and facilities among all city departments and private providers of service as they relate to disabled persons with disabilities.
Section 3. That this ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its passage and publication.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This ordinance reduces the number of members on the commission on disabilities from 17 to nine and makes the criteria for membership less restrictive. Commission members serve three year terms which are staggered so there are three appointments each year. In addition, the ordinance updates the language in the city code and clarifies the duties of the commission.