[1][HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of Mount Vernon 4-14-1982, approved 4-15-1982; amended in its entirety 6-12-2019, approved 6-20-2019.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 256.
[1]
Editor's Note: The title of this chapter was changed from
"Citizens Advisory Committee for the Disabled" to "Mount Vernon Disability
Advisory Board" 6-12-2019.
The City Council recognizes that there exists an urgent need
for coordinating the efforts of this City with those organizations
concerned with addressing the issues faced by people living with disabilities
who live, work and visit Mount Vernon. In order to maximize such coordinating
efforts, a Mount Vernon Disability Advisory Board is created and empowered
to educate the public and to formulate and make recommendations, including
but not limited to governmental and public bodies, with regard to
the concerns of individual with disabilities in the City of Mount
Vernon.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Mount Vernon Disability Advisory Board.
No more than 11 nor less than five City of Mount Vernon resident
people with disabilities, professionals who work in fields which provide
services or advocacy to people with disabilities members and two members
appointed by the Mayor for specified terms.
Three years from the date of appointment.
The Mount Vernon Disability Advisory Board is hereinafter referred
to as the Board and is established for the City of Mount Vernon, New
York.
The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson,
Secretary and five to 11 individuals who are residents of the City
of Mount Vernon and appointed by the Mayor. Appointment of the five
to 11 members shall be based on demonstrated interest, commitment
and services in the City of Mount Vernon and the initial recommendation
of the organizing committee of the Mount Vernon Disability Advisory
Board.
All appointments shall be for terms of three years.
The members of the Board shall serve without compensation.
In making appointments to the Board, the Mayor shall take into
account experience living as a person with a disability in Mount Vernon,
professional competence, distinguished service rendered in the area
of the community, public service or advocacy and interest of an individual
to serve as a Board member. The Board's membership will comprise at
least 80% of persons living with disabilities and 20% persons who
do not.
The Board shall meet at least eight meetings per year on a stated
date to be selected by the Board and may hold such other meetings
as it may determine from time to time. Any Board member who fails
to attend three consecutive meetings without good cause shall be removed
from the Board. Five members shall constitute a quorum. Whenever the
approval by the Board is required, the affirmative vote of the majority
present shall be required.
The Board is authorized and empowered to do the following:
A.Â
To
increase public understanding concerning the needs of people with
disabilities, thus encouraging them to enrich their lives and those
of the community by wider use of talents and activities amongst us.
B.Â
To
work for the elimination of architectural barriers within our City
which presently make some of the public buildings and recreational
facilities unavailable to them.
C.Â
To
make education, employment, housing and transportation more readily
available to and accessible to people with disabilities living in,
working in and visiting the City of Mount Vernon
D.Â
To
advise the Recreation Department regarding activities which will be
beneficial and fulfilling to children with disabilities.
E.Â
To
establish a liaison between said Board and the Board of Education
regarding educational services offered to youth living with disabilities.
F.Â
To
work in conjunction with the Westchester County Office for People
with Disabilities to facilitate referrals and to increase services
for individuals with disabilities.
G.Â
To
disseminate relevant information from state and national level.
H.Â
To
take such steps and undertake such programs as will enhance and foster
the above programs and the general well-being of individuals living
with disabilities in Mount Vernon
I.Â
To develop
bylaws to govern the function of the Board, said bylaws cannot contradict
the terms of this code.
