[Adopted 8-28-1990 by Doc. 137[1] (Ch. 17 of the 1980 Code)]
[1]
Editor's Note: The title of this article was
amended 3-11-1997 by Doc. 55.
[Amended 2-23-1999 by Doc. 38]
There is hereby established under MGL c. 40,
§ 8J, a Commission on Disability Issues, herein called the
"Commission," which shall consist of nine members, each of whom shall
be a resident of Haverhill. At least five of the nine members shall
be persons with disabilities or deafness and represent as many cross-disabilities
as possible. One of such members shall be a member of the immediate
family of a disabled or deaf person, and one member of said Commission
shall be an elected or appointed municipal official. Commission members
shall serve without compensation. All members shall be appointed by
the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The Commission will be
available to consult with the Mayor regarding prospective Commission
members.
The terms of the first members of the Commission
shall be for one, two or three years and so arranged that the term
of one of the members expires each year, and their successors shall
be appointed for terms of three years each.
[Amended 3-11-1997 by Doc. 55]
The Commission may receive funds, bequests and
gifts subject to the approval of the City Council. Any such funds
shall be deposited in a separate fund or account and shall be known
as the "City of Haverhill Commission on Disability Issues Fund." Control
of such fund is hereby vested in said Commission. The Commission shall
have the authority to expend such moneys and/or any income thereof,
to help finance its activities under this article.
A.
In addition to those required by law, the Commission
may, at its discretion, hold public hearings when it decides that
such hearings will be in the public interest.
B.
Notice of such hearings shall be posted with the City
Clerk at least 14 days prior to the established meeting, published
in the area newspapers and also announced on local radio and other
communication media.
It shall be the function of the Commission to:
A.
Act as a centralizing force in the City of Haverhill
which will deal with all issues relating to citizens with disabilities;
provide information, referral, guidance, coordination; and offer and
provide technical assistance to other public agencies and private
persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and
programs intended to enhance the quality of living and eliminate prejudice
and discrimination against person(s) with disabilities because of
their status as a person with a disability or as a minority person
with a disability.
B.
Take such action as the Commission considers appropriate
to ensure the equal status of person(s) with disabilities of every
race, creed, color, sex, national origin, age and familial status
and receipt of public assistance.
C.
Assure that no otherwise qualified individual with
a disability in the City of Haverhill shall, solely by reason of his
or her disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits
of or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or
activity within the City of Haverhill.
A.
The Commission shall meet at least six times a year.
B.
The Commission shall keep accurate records of its
meetings and actions and shall file an annual report which shall be
printed and included in the annual report of the City.
C.
The Commission shall submit an annual financial report
to the City Auditor.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall
include the following
A.
To ensure the equal status of person(s) with disabilities
in education, employment, economic, political, health, legal and social
spheres.
B.
To design and implement programs that promote equality
for all person(s) with disabilities in the City in coordination with
programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76]
C.
To initiate, coordinate and monitor the enactment
of legislation which promotes equal status of person(s) with disabilities
on the City, state and federal levels and to ensure that appropriate
regulations are adopted and enforced pursuant to such legislation.
D.
To participate in an advisory capacity in the hearing
of complaints brought alleging discrimination against person(s) with
disabilities, including but not limited to the Office of Equal Opportunity
and fair housing.
E.
To obtain from City departments and agencies, information
necessary to carry out the functions, purposes, programs and activities
of the Commission.
F.
To review pertinent policies of all departments and
agencies of the City as it directly relates to the powers, duties
and functions of the Commission.
G.
To assist in public awareness of person(s) with disabilities
through participation in public and media events sponsored by the
administration and/or legislative bodies of the City, including but
not limited to City-sponsored recreational, educational and developmental
activities.
H.
To be an active and participating member of appropriate
organizations dealing with issues affecting person(s) with disabilities.
I.
To acquire, analyze, use and store disability related
statistics and materials for program planning, evaluation and assistance.
J.
To research local problems of person(s) with disabilities
and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts
and pamphlets, etc., necessary to its work.
K.
Such other powers and duties as may be agreed upon
by the Mayor and the Commission, subject to confirmation by the City
Council and in accordance with applicable law.
