Pembroke Pines commission directs city attorney to draft Disability Advisory Board ordinance

The Pembroke Pines City Commission on a unanimous voice vote directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance creating a Disability Advisory Board to advise the commission on accessibility, accommodations and mobility for residents and visitors with disabilities.

Commissioner Maria Hernandez moved the directive, saying she wanted a permanent vehicle for members of the community to advise the city; the motion drew a second from other commissioners and passed unanimously. Hernandez said she did not intend to suggest the city was deficient but rather to provide a formal forum: "I don't believe the City Of Pembroke Pines is deficient in this area. I simply want to have a vehicle for individuals in our community to have conversations," she told the commission.

The action follows public testimony from local advocates and nonprofit leaders who urged a standing advisory structure. Jim Saia, a resident and founder of Special Compass (a 501(c)(3) serving people with disabilities), described a planned 60-unit affordable housing project tied to supportive services and said a local advisory body would help coordinate services. Al Salvi, representing United Spinal (a local chapter affiliate), thanked the commission for the proposed inclusion and said people with disabilities can contribute expertise and lived experience. Ryan Gebauer, who uses a wheelchair, described the benefit of self-advocacy and offered to assist with drafting language.

Commission discussion focused on structure and scope. Commissioners and staff noted the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides federal protections but that a local advisory body could improve coordination, outreach and the city’s advocacy at the county and state level. Commissioner Rodriguez and others suggested starting with an ad-hoc committee or advisory board and emphasized including a mix of self-advocates, family members and professionals in the membership. City staff were instructed to meet with Commissioner Hernandez, the city attorney and the city manager to develop proposed ordinance language and a recommended membership structure for a future first reading.

The commission directed staff to consult existing models used by neighboring municipalities and to return with an ordinance (or ordinance draft) for the commission’s consideration at a later meeting. No ordinance text was approved at the meeting; the motion was a direction to draft and return with proposed language.