Submitted By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager / Interim Director of Development Customer Services
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 (“Administration”), Article 36 (“Aging in Place”), Section 2-36-1 (“Establishment; Composition; Definition”) and Section 2-36-2 (“Duties”) of the Oak Park Village Code
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Overview
Overview
The Village of Oak Park Aging in Place Commission is recommending multiple changes to the enabling ordinance (Chapter 2, Article 36 of the Village Code) that originally established the Commission. The recommended changes include a name adjustment for the Commission, the removal of the current requirement that all Commission members be fifty-five years of age or older and making other wording changes that utilize and support the term, “aging in communities.”
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Recommendation
Recommendation
The Aging in Place Commission voted to recommend the proposed changes to Chapter 2 (“Administration”), Article 36(“Aging in Place”) of the Village Code.
Background
The Aging In Place Comissions’ initial establishing ordinance (Chapter 2, Article 36) was developed by Village staff in preparation for the Aging in Place Commission to begin its work in early 2018. The Ordinance, as written, helped to guide the Commissions work through public educational efforts, obtaining the Dementia Friendly Communities designation etc., for the first two to three years of the Commissions existence.
In 2023, following the prolonged impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission was re-invigorated with new leadership and several new Commission members. The Village’s Development Customer Services staff worked with the Commission over multiple meetings as it discussed and decided upon the recommended changes to Chapter 2, Article 36. Now, the Commission is staffed by the DEI Officer in the Village Manager’s Office.
As a part of the Commission’s new start, the current Commission voted to recommend amending the language as highlighted below. The draft Ordinance shows the language that is being recommended for addition as bold and underlined and the language to be removed as crossed through.
1.) Change the name of the Commission from “Aging in Place” to “Aging in Communities.”
2.) Replacing the word “senior” with “older person” in the Ordinance’s definition section.
3.) Removal of the previous restriction that all Commission members had to be fifty-five (55) years of age or older in order to serve on the Commission and requiring that only a majority of the Commission members must be fifty-five (55) or older.
4.) Incorporation of the term, “aging in communities” in various portions of the Ordinance language.
5.) Add the following new Commission duty: Establish and carry out a program to recognize excellence in providing access to seniors within the Village which will make the public aware of businesses and institutions which are a part of a senior friendly community.
6.) Various other additional language as shown bold and underlined on the attached proposed Ordinance.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended changes.
DEI Impact
Ageism is not exclusively experienced by older adults. By expanding and redefining who are the impacted populations this increases inclusivity within ageism conversations. Specifically, carves out space for youth voice. The changing of communities from “place” is reflective of a need to broaden the understanding of aging it just doesn’t relate to housing but transportation, civic engagement, employment, social inclusion, communication, and overall community support.
Alternatives
The Village Board could consider approving some but not all of the Commission’s recommended changes or could send the item back to the Commission for additional review.
Previous Board Action
The Village Board originally approved the Aging in Place Commission’s establishing Ordinance in early 2018 (Ord. 13-346 adopted on February 20, 2018). This recommendation is the first suggested update of the establishing Ordinance language.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Aging in Place Commission discussed the proposed changes during multiple regular Commission meetings in 2023. Considerable discussion and editing occurred over these multiple meetings. Village staff is in support of the Commission’s efforts to adjust the establishing Ordinance to fit the needs of today.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
There is not a recurring action needed to be taken by the Village Board. If approved, Village staff will work with the Commission and share these changes with the public through the OPFYI and the Weekly Village Manager’s Report.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A