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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORDINANCES-2013-008-O-13Effective Date: February 22, 2014 4/2/2013 • 8-0-13 AN ORDINANCE Amending Title 2, Chapter 3 of the City Code to reflect changes in the Commission on Aging 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 Commission on Aging is to promote the welfare and betterment of the seniors of the city. The Commission on Aging is necessary to achieve the following • objectives: (A) Insure that the aging 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; (C)Assist seniors in the maintenance of their dignity, self-respect and independence; (D) Educate the community and enlist support and participation of all residents about those needs; (E) Provide the., opportunity for seniors to express their desires and advance their causes; and (F) Provide a voice to speak for that portion of the aging population unable to advocate on their own behalf, and necessary to 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 is hereby created. iThe Commission shall consist of fifteen (15) members appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the City Council. At least one-third (1/3) of the Commission on 8-0-13 Aging shall be age sixty (60) or over. Eligible members include residents of the City and • non-residents (not to exceed three members) 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. 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, compassion, knowledge of and experience with seniors 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. All appointees to the Commission on Aging shall serve for a term of three (3) years or until their successors are appointed and confirmed. Members of the Commission on Aging 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 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 in the community, the Commission on Aging is encouraged, where appropriate, to utilize and involve the families, friends and • neighbors of the seniors being served. -2- 8-0-13 • The Commission on Aging shall be vested with the following powers and duties. - (A) Information and Referral. 1. To develop a resource file of services available to seniors. 2. To answer all inquiries from, or on behalf of seniors and other residents on senior issues. 3. To make referrals and to follow up on referrals. 4. To publicize programs or specialized services available for seniors. (B) Advocacy. 1. To provide advocacy and ombudsman services to seniors, particularly (those who are isolated or ill, and to persons with disabilities, where needed or when requested. 2. To advocate services for the rights of the aging population. 3. To promote active participation of seniors in programs addressing the needs and rights of the aging population. 4. To consider various funded programs for local needs. 5. To consider financial problems of the aging population in relationship to the dignity, self-respect and independence of that group. (C) Study, Evaluation, Planning and Recommendation. 1. To study and evaluate the needs of all seniors, 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 provided by Federal, State, regional, local agencies and, in addition, to cooperate with City departments. 2. Provide consultation and assistance to community groups developing or delivering services for seniors. 3. Develop various committees. One committee shall be involved with long-term care facilities including, but not be limited to, residents, owners, managers, and administrators. (E) Education. 1. Promote community education and disseminate information regarding the problems, needs and status of seniors. 2. Educate the community about the various phases of the aging 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 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. -3- 8-0-13 Fl 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. 4. Refer matters and consult with the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program regarding the conditions of long-term care facilities. 5. 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. SECTION 6: That section 2-3-6 of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: SECTION 7: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION 8: If any provision of this Ordinance 8-0-13 or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Ordinance that can be . given effect without the invalid application or provision, and each invalid application of this Ordinance is severable. SECTION 9: The findings and recitals contained herein are declared to be prima facie evidence of the law of the City and shall be received in evidence as provided by the Illinois Compiled Statutes and the courts of the State of Illinois. SECTION 10: This Ordinance 8-0-13 shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval, and publication in the manner provided by law. • Mc 8-0-13 Introduced: t-�"Y�t� 1� 2013 Adopted: 2014 Attest: Rodney reene, City Clerk L Approved: /A , 2014 Eliz eth B. Tisdahl, Mayor Approved as to form: W. Grin. Far` rar, Corporation ounsel -5-