Knox County Tennessee

ADA

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Knox County Disability Advisory Group, also known as DAGWould?.  DAGWould? stands for Disability Advisory Group Would advise or recommend what on issues facing the disability community of Knox County. The Dagwood sandwich is known for its size, number of meats, cheeses and condiments.  The sandwich is always topped with an olive that has a toothpick inserted in it.  The ADA Transition Plan is similar in that it is complex and has many parts and priorities.  The cost to implement the plan is significant as well.  There is much to “chew on” with this plan and the plan needs to be broken into smaller “bites” so that compliance can be achieved.  The olive and the toothpick represent the top priorities that the disability advisory group would recommend.   

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND FUNCTION

The Knox County Disability Advisory Group shall act as an advisory group and shall have the following functions:

  • Serve as an advisory group to the Knox County Mayor and the Knox County Commission in matters concerning persons with disabilities.
  • Provide recommendations on the top priorities listed in the ADA Transition Plan.
  • Promote coordination and communication in working with various Knox County departments as plans for the construction of new county facilities are developed and constructed.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  The Knox County Disability Advisory Group shall consist of nine (9) voting members who are appointed by the Knox County Mayor and confirmed by the Knox County Commission.  Members shall be Knox County citizens and include 50% persons with disabilities and represent a wide range of disabilities.   In addition, members shall include persons who are familiar with issues and concerns of persons with disabilities and represent a variety of service interests.  

Section 2.  Knox County Disability Advisory Group members shall serve terms of four (4) years.  Members may be appointed for a shorter term in order to achieve overlapping tenure, with appointments specifying the term of office of each individual.  If a vacancy occurs on the Knox County Disability Advisory Group, it shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remaining unexpired portion of the term.  Members shall be limited to two (2) consecutive four (4) year terms, but after a break in service, may be reappointed in the manner provided herein.  Partial terms less than four (4) years shall not be counted for term limitation purposes. Terms shall be staggered with four (4) of the members initially appointed to two (2) year terms. 

Section 3.  The Knox County Strategic Facilities Engineer/ADA 504 Coordinator shall be a permanent ex-officio non-voting member on the Knox County Disability Advisory Group.  

Section 4.  Members of the Knox County Disability Advisory Group shall serve without compensation.

Section 5.  All members of the Knox County Disability Advisory Group shall be subject to removal by the Knox County Mayor with approval by the Knox County Commission.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

Section 1.  The officers of the Knox County Disability Advisory Group shall be: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary.

Section 2.  Election of all officers shall occur at the first meeting of the Knox County Disability Advisory Group and serve for terms of one (1) year.  Elected officers may not serve in the same position for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Section 3.  The elected officers shall assume office immediately upon election.

Section 4.  The Chairperson shall be responsible for calling all meetings, approving the

agenda for all meetings, conducting each meeting, and shall work with the Knox County Strategic Facilities Engineer/ADA 504 Coordinator in communications with the Knox County Mayor, Knox County Commission, and Knox County staff.

Section 5.  The Vice-Chairperson shall assume the duties of the Chairperson upon his or her absence.

Section 6.  The Board Secretary shall be responsible for taking and distributing the minutes of each meeting.

ARTICLE V – SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Section 1.  Special Committees shall be appointed by the Chairperson as needed for specific tasks.

Section 2.  Special Committees shall be dissolved by the Chairperson upon completion of the assigned task. 

ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS

 Section 1.  Meetings shall be held monthly or as approved by the Knox County Disability Advisory Group.  The annual schedule including the day, time and place of regular meetings shall be determined by vote of the Knox County Disability Advisory Group.

Section 2.  Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson at his/her discretion; however, special meetings require at least five (5) days notice before the time of such meetings.

Section 3.  All meetings shall be publicized and open to the public.  Any meeting at which any formal action could occur or at which a majority or quorum is in attendance, or is expected to be in attendance, shall be held only after adequate and timely notice to the public.

Section 4.  A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum and no official action may be taken by the Knox County Disability Advisory Group on any matter unless a quorum is present.

ARTICLE VII – PROCEDURE

The Knox County Disability Advisory Group shall operate pursuant to the procedures established by Knox County for boards and committees, and these bylaws shall not be inconsistent with the Charter and the Code of Knox County.

ARTICLE VIII – RULES OF ORDER

All questions of order not answered in these bylaws shall be decided by Roberts Rules of Order, latest edition.

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

These bylaws have been adopted by the Knox County Commission.  Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by any voting or non-voting member at any regularly scheduled Knox County Disability Advisory Group meeting.  Amendments must be approved by a majority of the voting members of the Knox County Disability Advisory Group.  All amendments shall then be proposed to the Knox County Commission for approval.