Background
This legislation amends Ordinance 3412-2024 establishing and codifying the Columbus Advisory Commission on Disability Issues (the “Commission”) to correct an error in numbering.
The Committee on Disability Issues was formally established in 1999 by operation of Ordinance No. 896 99, adopted by Columbus City Council on April 19, 1999, and signed into law by the Mayor on April 20, 1999. Among the Committee’s purposes was to advise and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council as to issues involving citizens with disabilities. Over time, the committee became known as the Columbus Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (“CACDI”). Since its establishment, CACDI has endeavored to identify actions, make recommendations, and support programs that assure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and other disability related legislation, both on the federal and state levels. CACDI is staffed by the City’s ADA Coordinator, who is located within the Department of Human Resources.
City Council approved Ordinance 3412-2024 establishing Chapter 175 of the Columbus City Codes for this purpose. However, it has since been determined that Chapter 175 is unavailable for that purpose and this legislation will work to re-number the CACDI Chapter to Chapter 177.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Ordinance 3412-2024 goes into effect 180 days after passage but to meet this timeline the process of selecting Commission members has begun, emergency passage is necessary to meet this operational need.
Title
To amend provisions of Ordinance 3412-2024 to establish the Columbus Advisory Commission on Disability Issues by enacting Chapter 177 of the Columbus City Codes; to repeal existing provisions of Ordinance 3412-2024; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the establishment and codification of a Columbus Advisory Commission on Disability Issues will provide a formal mechanism for the City to receive input and recommendations from individuals with disabilities and other stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, due to a drafting error, Ordinance 3412-2024 codified the establishment of the Commission in a Chapter that was unavailable for that use; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to amend Ordinance 3412-2024 as it goes into effect 180 days after passage but to meet the timeline for processing the selection of Commission members that work needs to continue in order to ensure a fully constituted Commission by the Ordinance’s effective date; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That SECTION 1 of Ordinance 3412-2024 is hereby amended as follows:
SECTION 1. That there is hereby enacted Chapter 175 177 of the Columbus City Codes to read as follows:
175.01177.01. Establishment.
There is hereby established the Columbus Advisory Commission on Disability Issues (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission").
175.02177.02. Purpose.
The purpose of the Commission is to:
A. Advise the Mayor’s office, City Council, and City departments on policies, programs, and services that affect individuals with disabilities.
B. Advocate for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities within the community.
C. Promote awareness and understanding of disability issues among residents and businesses in Columbus.
D. Recommend strategies to improve accessibility and inclusivity in public and private spaces.
175.03177.03. Membership.
The Commission shall consist of eleven (11) members, appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council.
Members shall include individuals with disabilities, family members of individuals with disabilities, representatives from disability advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders with relevant expertise and experience. The Mayor, City Attorney, President of City Council, each of the City’s various departments, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and Columbus Public Health shall each appoint one (1) city employee to serve as a non voting advisor to the commission.
Of the eleven (11) members so appointed, three (3) shall serve an initial term for (1) year, four (4) for two (2) years and four (4) for three (3) years and thereafter appointments shall be for three (3) year terms.
Removal of members for neglect of duty, absence, misfeasance, malfeasance, etc. will be performed pursuant to by laws of the commission.
Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments and for the unexpired portion of the term.
175.04177.04. Officers.
The Commission shall elect by majority vote of the membership a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Historian from among its members to serve a term of two (2) years. The Chairperson shall preside over meetings of the Commission, and the Vice Chairperson shall preside in the absence of the Chairperson.
175.05177.05. Meetings.
(A) Voting members of the Commission shall meet at least six (6) times annually and at such other times as determined by the Chairperson or a majority of the members. Non voting members shall attend at least four (4) meetings annually.
(B) All meetings shall be open to the public. The Commission may conduct its meetings in person or by means of teleconference, video conference, or any other similar electronic technology, or by a combination thereof. The Commission shall ensure that the public has access to the discussions and deliberations of the Commission when Commission meetings are conducted in whole or in part by means of teleconference, video conference, or any other similar electronic technology to the same extent that the public would have been able to attend an in person meeting of the Commission, and commensurate with the method which the Commission is utilizing.
(C) A majority of the voting members of the Commission presently appointed and serving shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Members attending meetings by means of teleconference, video conference, or any other similar technology shall be considered present for the purposes of transacting business. The Commission shall ensure that the public is able to hear the discussions of each Commission member, whether the member is participating in person or electronically.
175.06177.06. Duties and Responsibilities.
The Commission shall:
A. Provide recommendations on proposed City policies, programs, legislation and services that impact individuals with disabilities.
B. Review information and data related to quality outcomes of city services for individuals with disabilities.
C. Gather information on issues affecting individuals with disabilities in Columbus.
D. Organize and participate in public awareness campaigns and educational programs related to disability issues.
E. Submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council summarizing the
Commission's activities and recommendations.
175.07177.07. Staff Support.
The Department of Human Resources shall designate appropriate staff to provide administrative and technical support to the Commission.
SECTION 2. That the existing SECTION 1 of Ordinance No. 3412-2024 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.