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Commission on Disability Issues to review bylaws, discusses term limits and social media outreach
Summary
Commissioners agreed to review bylaws over the summer, discussed a proposed two-term chair limit with an exception if no candidates exist, and advanced a lightweight process for posting to a Partners in Access Facebook page; the commission also heard recruiting updates about two open seats and a nomination moving to city council.
Commissioners used the June 17 meeting to plan governance and outreach work over the summer. Chair Larry Keeler asked commissioners to study the commission bylaws and bring suggested changes to the September meeting so the commission can decide whether to proceed with a bylaw-review process.
Commissioner Rob Packard raised the main bylaw issue of chair term limits, noting the current practice is two terms. Packard proposed a simple amendment that would allow the chair to continue if there are no other candidates: "I guess I thought that the simplest solution to that would just be to put in a caveat that says 2 terms unless there are no candidates then may continue," he said. Commissioners agreed to consider options over the summer and share proposals for a September discussion.
On communications, members discussed a Partners in Access Facebook page and posting guidelines that Commissioner Ankenbauer (Sam) will circulate. Commissioner Packard described a low-friction posting process: commissioners can submit content to Sam for posting if it fits the guidelines. Vice Chair Zach Damon asked for the link to the page and urged colleagues to share photos and event information for posting.
On recruiting, Commissioner Kathleen Mosak reported two open commission seats. She said the mayor has moved forward with the nomination of Ben Bond; the clerk confirmed Bond’s application is scheduled for city council first reading and likely to return to the commission in September if confirmed. The clerk also described how to apply (mayor's office phone and a2gov.granicus.com/boards/vacancies).
Procedural votes earlier in the meeting approved the agenda and the May 20 minutes; the commission recessed for July and August and will reconvene Sept. 16, 2026.
Commissioners did not vote on bylaw language at the meeting; they agreed to collect input over the summer and reconvene in September.
