[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:
BOARD
Mount Vernon Disability Advisory Board.
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.
TERM
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
To advise the Recreation Department regarding activities which will be beneficial and fulfilling to children with disabilities.
E. 
To establish a liaison between said Board and the Board of Education regarding educational services offered to youth living with disabilities.
F. 
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. 
To disseminate relevant information from state and national level.
H. 
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. 
To develop bylaws to govern the function of the Board, said bylaws cannot contradict the terms of this code.