Auditors recommend keeping commission active; chair warns attendance could trigger future removals

Municipal auditors recommended that the Anchorage ADA Advisory Commission continue rather than be sunset after staff confirmed the commission has resumed regular meetings, members said. Maya (staff) and commissioners reported that auditors had initially thought the commission was inactive because it had missed meetings, but follow‑up showed the commission is “actively meeting,” and auditors advised the Anchorage Assembly to continue the commission.

Commissioners focused on attendance as the primary driver of a commission being classified as inactive. A staff member explained that auditors review quorum and individual attendance records when evaluating whether to recommend sunsetting. Commissioners were told to respond to staff attendance confirmations (by e‑mail, Teams or phone) so staff can demonstrate active participation to auditors.

The commission’s chair urged members to attend remotely if they cannot be present in person, noting that remote attendance via Teams or phone counts toward presence for quorum. Commissioners discussed using pre‑meeting confirmation calls and tracking excused versus unexcused absences; staff said Maya maintains attendance records and will follow up if absences become frequent.

No formal motion was required and none was taken; staff and the chair agreed to continue outreach to commissioners to improve attendance and to monitor records ahead of the auditors’ report to the Assembly.