(A) ADA Advisory Commission. There is hereby established an ADA Advisory Commission (hereinafter referred to as "the Commission") for the purpose of advising the City Administrator and City staff in matters pertaining to the needs and interests of, and the barriers negatively-impacting, the disabled community.
(B) Composition of the Commission. The Commission shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The City of Yuma's ADA Coordinator shall serve as secretary to the Commission.
(1) Members shall serve a term of five years, except that three of the initial members shall be designated upon appointments to serve a first term of two years, two shall be designated to serve a first term of four years, and two shall be appointed to regular terms of five years. One of the initial members shall be designated upon appointment as acting chairperson for the initial meeting of the Commission.
(2) Members shall serve without compensation; however, the City Council may allow such expenditures as are necessary for the performance of official duties.
(3) Appointed members shall meet the requirements of Article IX of the Charter of the City of Yuma.
(4) Any member whose term expires shall be eligible for reappointment to another five-year term.
(5) Members of the Commission may be removed by the City Council consistent with Article IX. A member missing three consecutively scheduled meetings without just cause shall be grounds for replacement by the City Council.
(6) If a vacancy on the Commission occurs other than by an expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term. Such appointment shall be made by the City Council.
(7) Each January the Commission shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among the appointive members. The Commission shall adopt and amend such rules, regulations, and bylaws as the Commission sees fit for the proper and efficient discharge of official duties. The Commission may, in such rules and regulations, delegate certain responsibilities or tasks to be performed by a sub-committee or sub-committees of the Commission. All proceedings of the Commission and its sub-committees shall be conducted in accordance with the State of Arizona's open meeting law, see A.R.S. § 38-431 et seq. and the State of Arizona's public records law. A.R.S. § 39-101 et seq.
(8) Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for transacting business.
(9) A majority vote of the Commission members present and voting shall be required to take official action including, but not limited to, the adopting of Commission policy, or submitting recommendations. No member shall be excused from voting except on matters involving the consideration of the member's own official conduct. In all other cases, a failure to vote shall be entered in the minutes as an affirmative vote.
(10) The Commission may meet at such times and locations as the Commission deems appropriate and consistent with Arizona law provided that the Commission shall also meet on the fourth Tuesday of the first month of every quarter of the year. The City Engineer or designee shall attend all meetings of the Commission.
(C) Duties of the Commission. The duties of the Commission include:
(1) Conduct outreach and receive input from people with disabilities living in and around the City of Yuma.
(2) Be versed in the vision, purpose and requirements of the ADA and be familiar with best practices for reducing barriers and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities.
(3) Make recommendations to City staff and the City Administrator regarding services, policies and practices of the City of Yuma impacting people with disabilities.
(4) Assist in prioritization of items contained in the City of Yuma's ADA Transition Plan and make annual recommendations and adjustments to priorities in the Plan based on community needs.
(D) Limitations of authority. The Commission shall have no authority to grant or deny requests for accommodation or to require a change in the City of Yuma's services, policies or practices.
(Ord. O2023-019, passed 8-2-23)