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HomeMy WebLinkAbout107-O-22 Amending Title 2, Chapter 3 of the City Code amending the name of the Commission on Aging to the Commission on Aging and Disabilities10/3/2022 107-O-22 AN ORDINANCE Amending Title 2, Chapter 3 of the City Code amending the name of the Commission on Aging to the Commission on Aging and Disabilities WHEREAS, the Evanston City Council may create Boards, Commissions and Committees to assist in the development of policy effecting Evanston residents; and WHEREAS, there exists a Commission on Aging, which is designed to promote the welfare and betterment of the seniors of the City; and WHEREAS, the ADA Advisory Board was dissolved; and WHEREAS, the Evanston City Council finds it necessary to promote equity and inclusion to of all its residents, to have a Board, Commission or Committee have as a purpose the promotion and betterment of residents in the City with disabilities; and WHEREAS, the Evanston City Council, on recommendation of City Staff, finds that the Commission on Aging is the best entity to achieve this goal. NOW BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT: SECTION 1: That section 2-3-1 of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 2-3-1. RATIONALE. The purpose of a the Commission on Aging and Disabilities is to promote the welfare and betterment of older adults and people with disabilities of the city City of Evanston. ~1~ Page 1 of 5 Doc ID: 25fa3c62255ab0bcb749f9b4fbea57e76816bd69 107-O-22 ~2~ The Commission on Aging and Disabilities is necessary to achieve the following objectives: (A) Insure that the aging older adults and people with disabilities population will continue to be regarded as productive, responsible, contributing members of society; (B) Advocate for the retention of all rights, privileges, protections for seniors older adults and people with disabilities; (C) Assist seniors older adults and people with disabilities in the maintenance of their dignity, self-respect and independence; (D) Educate the community and enlist support and participation of all citizens community members about those needs; (E) Provide the opportunity for seniors older adults and people with disabilities to express their desires and advance their causes; and (F) Provide a voice to speak for that portion of the older adults and people with disabilities aging population who are unable to advocate on their own behalf and provide an organizational structure which can accomplish such ends. SECTION 2: That section 2-3-2 of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 2-3-2. ESTABLISHMENT; APPOINTMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Commission on Aging and Disabilities is hereby created. The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the City Council. At least one-third (1/3) of the Commission on Aging and Disabilities shall be age sixty (60) or over. At least one-third (1/3) of the commission shall be representative of individuals who self-identify as a person with a disability. Eligible members include residents of the City and non-residents of the City that are employed within the City limits, except members cannot be a paid staff member of any City agency or organization serving seniors older adults and people with disabilities. Subject to the foregoing limitations, the appointed Commissioners shall possess, to the extent feasible, qualifications of leadership, desire and interest to work with and for seniors older adults and people with disabilities, compassion, knowledge of and experience with seniors older adults and people with disabilities and the ability to offer solutions to the difficulties encountered in the aging process. The Commission shall include representation of various socio-economic groups. It shall be the duty of the Human Services Committee of the City Council to submit to the Mayor, at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of terms, the names of one or more qualified persons for each expected vacancy. SECTION 3: That section 2-3-3 of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 2-3-3. TERMS OF OFFICE, VACANCIES. Page 2 of 5 Doc ID: 25fa3c62255ab0bcb749f9b4fbea57e76816bd69 107-O-22 ~3~ All appointees to the Commission on Aging and Disabilities shall serve for a term of three (3) years or until their successors are appointed and confirmed. Members of the Commission on Aging and Disabilities shall not serve for more than two (2) full terms, and vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of a vacant term by the Mayor after prior consultation with the Human Services Committee of the City Council and with the advice and consent of said Council. SECTION 4: That section 2-3-4 of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 2-3-4. ADMINISTRATION. The City Manager or his/her designee shall appoint appropriate city staff members to the Commission on Aging and Disabilities to assist the Commission on Aging with its duties and functions. It shall present to the City Council an annual report of its objectives and accomplishments, and shall adopt rules for meetings, the transaction of its business, and keep a record of its transactions, findings and determinations. SECTION 5: That section 2-3-5 of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 2-3-5. POWERS AND DUTIES. In addition to providing services to seniors older adults and people with disabilities in the community, the Commission on Aging and Disabilities is encouraged, where appropriate, to utilize and involve the families, friends and neighbors of the seniors older adults and people with disabilities who are being served. The Commission on Aging and Disabilities shall be vested with the following powers and duties: (A) Information and Referral. 1. To develop a resource file of services available to seniors older adults and people with disabilities. 2. To answer all inquiries from, or on behalf of seniors older adults, people with disabilities and other residents community members regarding issues related to older adults and people with disabilities on senior issues. 3. To make referrals and to follow up on referrals. 4. To publicize programs or specialized services available for seniors older adults and people with disabilities. (B) Advocacy. 1. To provide advocacy and ombudsman services to aging citizens community members, particularly those who are the isolated, the ill, or persons with disabilities, where needed or when requested. 2. To advocate services for the rights of the aging population older adults and people with disabilities. 3. To promote active participation of seniors older adults and people with disabilities in programs addressing the needs and rights of older adults and people with disabilities. the aging population. Page 3 of 5 Doc ID: 25fa3c62255ab0bcb749f9b4fbea57e76816bd69 107-O-22 ~4~ 4. To consider various funded programs for the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. local aging residents’ needs. 5. To consider financial problems of older adults and people with disabilities the aging population in relationship to the dignity, self-respect and independence of that this group. (C) Study, Evaluation, Planning and Recommendation. 1. To study and evaluate the needs of all seniors older adults and people with disabilities, including those who are isolated. 2. To analyze existing services in relationship to these needs. 3. To recommend to service providers additions, changes or deletions in services. (D) Coordination and Consultation. 1. To coordinate services for seniors older adults and people with disabilities provided by Federal, State, regional, local agencies and, in addition, to cooperate with City departments. 2. To provide consultation and assistance to community groups developing or delivering services for seniors older adults and people with disabilities. 3. To develop various committees. One committee shall may be concerned with long-term care facilities including, but not be limited to, residents, owners, managers, and administrators. Other committees may be concerned with advocacy related to dementia, disabilities, housing or any concern presented by older adults and people with disabilities. (E) Education. 1. To promote community education and disseminate information regarding the problems, needs and status of senior older adults and people with disabilities. 2. To educate the community about the various phases of the aging and disabilities overall process. (F) Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. 1. Provide advocacy services through support of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program as prescribed by the Illinois Act on the Aging and the Older Americans Act. 2. Increase awareness of residents’ rights and Ombudsman services by building the Volunteer Ombudsman Program. 3. Complete site visits to long term care facilities and make recommendations to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program regarding problems/concerns. a. Be familiar with resources and levels of care provided by each type of long term care facility. b. Utilize information gathered from site visits to educate Evanston residents. Page 4 of 5 Doc ID: 25fa3c62255ab0bcb749f9b4fbea57e76816bd69 107-O-22 ~5~ 4. To refer matters and consult with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program regarding the conditions of long-term care facilities. 5. To support ombudsman services with the protection and advocacy system for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness who are residing in long-term care facilities regardless of age. Introduced:_________________, 2022 Adopted:___________________, 2022 Approved: __________________________, 2022 _______________________________ Daniel Biss, Mayor Attest: _______________________________ Stephanie Mendoza , City Clerk Approved as to form: _______________________________ Nicholas E. Cummings, Corporation Counsel Page 5 of 5 October 3 October 24 Doc ID: 25fa3c62255ab0bcb749f9b4fbea57e76816bd69 October 31