[Added 2-11-2020 by G.O.
No. 2157]
There is hereby established the Westfield Access and Inclusivity
Council of the Town of Westfield having the powers and duties hereinafter
enumerated.
[Added 2-11-2020 by G.O. No. 2157]
(a) The
AIC shall be comprised of nine voting members who shall be selected
by the Mayor and approved by the Town Council. In addition to the
nine voting members, the AIC shall also utilize resident volunteers,
recommended by the AIC and approved by the Mayor, who shall demonstrate
a strong personal interest in matters affecting individuals with disabilities
and shall assist with events and projects on an as-needed basis. In
addition, the Mayor and Emeritus Co-Chairs of the AIC shall serve
as advisory members and shall have the right to participate in all
meetings of the AIC.
(b) In
addition to the foregoing, there shall be two alternate members who
shall be permitted to vote only in the absence of a regular member.
The Mayor shall also appoint one member of the Town Council to act
ex officio as the liaison between the AIC and the Town Council.
(c) The
members shall serve without compensation and must be residents of
the Town of Westfield, except that they shall be entitled to be reimbursed
for their reasonable, preapproved expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties, and within the budgetary limitations of the AIC.
(d) The
Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council, shall name one member
of the AIC as Chairperson to serve for a term of one year.
[Added 2-11-2020 by G.O. No. 2157]
(a) All
regular members shall serve for a term of one year and may serve for
not more than two consecutive terms. All terms shall begin on January
1 of each year, except that the initial appointments made upon passage
of this division at the inception of the AIC shall begin from the
date of appointment. Any vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired
term in the same manner as the original appointment was filled.
(b) Any
member of the AIC may be removed by the Mayor, with the advice and
consent of the Town Council, for neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance
in office, after being given a written statement of the charges and
an opportunity to be heard thereon by the Town Council. In the event
of a vacancy, the Mayor, with the approval of the Town Council, shall
appoint another person to fill the unexpired term of such vacancy.
(c) In
addition, cause for removal may be found where a member is absent
without prior notification to the Chairperson from three consecutive
meetings or from 50% of the AIC's regularly scheduled meetings for
a year. The Chairperson shall report to the Town Council at the end
of November of every year as to such absenteeism.
[Added 2-11-2020 by G.O. No. 2157]
The AIC shall:
(a) Obtain
and disseminate on a Town-wide basis information pertaining to individuals
with disabilities.
(b) Recommend
to the Mayor and Town Council methods and procedures to aid and assist
individuals with disabilities.
(c) Gather
and present to the Mayor and Town Council such facts, information,
and data as may help and assist the Mayor and Town Council in their
deliberations pertaining to matters touching on or concerning individuals
with disabilities.
(d) Submit
annually to the Mayor and Town Council a report on its activities
for the preceding year.
(e) Work
with the Mayor and Town Council to obtain feedback from the community
and recommend ways to improve communication between diverse members
while fostering relationships and sharing cultures and ideas.
(f) To
build relationships with: 1) Town of Westfield municipal departments
such as the Police and Recreation Departments; 2) other municipal
inclusivity advisory boards; 3) the County of Union's Office for Persons
with Disabilities and Special Needs; and 4) private nonprofit organizations
for the purpose of promoting access and inclusivity within the Town
of Westfield.
(g) Promulgate,
adopt and approve internal rules and bylaws for the AIC as it deems
necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and objectives of this
division.
[Added 2-11-2020 by G.O. No. 2157]
(a) The
Town Council may annually appropriate funds for the use of the AIC,
and such funds may be expended on the authority and approval of the
Town Administrator.
(b) The
AIC shall develop a budget for the ensuing calendar year and present
the same to the Town Council on or before the first day of March,
which budget shall give the details of the money considered necessary
to carry out the purposes and objectives of this division and show
the amount allocated for various required services.
(c) The
Town Council shall have the right to approve such budget in whole
or in part or to fix such amount which in its opinion is adequate
and proper for the purpose of the AIC and appropriate that amount
for such purpose.
(d) The
AIC shall conduct its affairs and policies each year within the amount
appropriated by the Town Council for such purposes and at no time
shall expend more than the sum so appropriated.
[Added 2-11-2020 by G.O. No. 2157]
(a) Regular
meetings of the AIC shall be held at the call of the Chairperson,
provided that a meeting may also be called upon the written request
of five regular members of the AIC. At least two days' notice of any
such meeting shall be given to all regular and alternate members unless
such notice is waived in writing.
(b) A
quorum shall consist of a majority of the regular members of the AIC
except that in the absence of a regular member an alternate member
may take the place of a regular member in establishing said quorum.
(c) Alternate
members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may
not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member
of the AIC. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member
may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice
must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate Number
One shall vote.