[Added 3-1-2021[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This enactment also repealed former Art. XX,
Commission for Persons With Disabilities, added 11-14-1983, as amended.
There is hereby created pursuant to § C7-2 of the Meriden City Charter the Commission on Aging and Disabilities. The Commission shall consist of 15 members, two of whom must be persons with disabilities, as defined in this article. All members shall be resident electors and shall be appointed in accordance with § C3-3J of the Meriden City Charter, and may be removed by the City Council, for a term of three years, with the expiration date of those terms being January 31 of each year, except for the initial appointments which shall be staggered. Board members shall have an interest in the issues that affect Meriden's aging population. A member appointed to the Board to replace a member whose term has not expired shall be appointed for the unexpired term only. The Healthy Meriden 2010 Elderly Task Force, or the Elderly Task Force's successor, shall appoint a nonvoting liaison to the Board.
At its first meeting, and annually thereafter at its April meeting,
the Board shall elect from its members a Chairman, Vice Chairman and
Secretary.
The Commission shall meet at least monthly and shall render
such reports as it deems necessary to the City Council, City Manager
or other commission.
No Commissioner shall receive compensation, except for those
legitimate expenses incurred in the discharge of those duties and
for which an appropriation has been authorized prior to the encumbrance.
As used in this article, the term "person with a disability"
shall mean a person who has a physical or mental impairment which
substantially limits one or more of such person's major life
activities (such as employability), has a record of such impairment,
or is regarded as having such an impairment.
The Commission shall:
A.
Initiate and/or conduct continuous studies and surveys to determine
the conditions, needs and problems of persons with disabilities in
the City of Meriden in relation to architectural barriers, transportation,
public education and publicity, housing, employment, recreation, health
and other such matters that the Commission may determine to fulfill
the intent of this article.
B.
Serve as a clearinghouse for information and advertise, prepare,
print, and distribute publications designed to promote the official
purposes of the Commission.
C.
Monitor and ensure compliance, enforcement and implementation of
existing federal and state statutes intended to aid persons with disabilities.
D.
Act as an advocate and coordinator to bring about new and expanded
programs and services for persons with disabilities.
E.
Review and make comment to the Planning Commission on all requests
for structures that will be of a public access nature.
F.
Deliver an annual report to the City Council no later than January
31 which outlines the Commission's activities for the preceding
year and goals for the coming year.
G.
Advise and assist the Mayor and the City Council in the identification
of issues that affect Meriden's aging population.
H.
Have such other powers and duties as may be assigned to it by the
Mayor and/or the City Council.
Except as otherwise provided specifically by statute, Charter
or other legislation, a majority of the membership of the Board must
be present to constitute a quorum, and a majority of those present
and voting is required for action. The Board may establish such other
rules of procedure as it deems necessary, provided that no such rule
shall conflict with any other legislation.
The Commission shall have staff as the City Manager may from
time to time assign to it or for which the City Council makes appropriation.
However, nothing in this article shall be construed as requiring the
City to provide staff. The budget shall be submitted as required by
the Charter and the City Manager unless the City Council may otherwise
direct.
