Disability commission debates officer term limits, seeks regular ADA coordinator reporting

Chair Larry Keeler led a bylaws discussion that focused on term limits and contingency language for officer succession after commissioners raised concerns about ambiguity in the current rules.

Commissioner Mozack proposed allowing up to three consecutive terms for chair or vice chair or clarifying language that would permit an officer to continue on an interim basis until a successor is elected. Commissioner Inkenbauer suggested formal contingency language requiring re-attempts at election each subsequent regular meeting until the role is filled. Commissioners discussed forming a small bylaws subcommittee to review Article I and propose precise language changes.

The commission also asked for clearer, regular reporting from the city’s ADA/accessibility staff. Laura Orta, director of the Office of Organizational Equity, said quarterly equity reports are attached to council agendas in Legistar and that Jenna, the accessibility coordinator, will prepare a wrap-up report in June. Commissioners asked that those reports be shared directly with the commission or attached to relevant commission agendas so the body can review and ask questions between council cycles.

Next steps

Commissioners agreed to continue discussion next month and consider forming a small subcommittee to draft suggested bylaw language. They also requested that staff explore routine sharing arrangements for the equity/ADA coordinator’s reports and that the commission be looped into those materials going forward.