Minutes - Commission on Disability Issues

301 E. Huron St.

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

http://a2gov.legistar.com/

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City of Ann Arbor

Meeting Minutes - Final

Commission on Disability Issues

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

4:00 PM

Electronic Meeting

This meeting will be broadcast live on CTN Cable Channel 16, ATT Channel 99.Online at

a2gov.org/watchCTN. To speak at public comment call Toll Free: 877 853 5247 or 888

788 0099 Enter Meeting ID: 919 8673 1455

CALL TO ORDER

Chair L. Keeler called the electronic meeting of the Commission on

Disability Issues to order at 4:03 P.M.

ROLL CALL

9 -

Present

Absent

Larry Keeler, Zachary Damon, Kathleen Mozak, Matthew

Solomon , Alex Gossage, Ayesha Ghazi Edwin, Robert

Packard, Lorraine Buis, and Sam Ankenbauer

2 - Rachel Hawkins, and Annika Konrad

PUBLIC COMMENT (3 minutes per speaker)

None

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A motion was made by Damon, seconded by Packard, that the

Agenda be approved as presented. On a voice vote, the Chair

declared the motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commission on Disability Issues Minutes - April 15, 2026

26-0720

A motion was made by Damon, seconded by Ankenbauer, that the

Minutes be Approved by the Commission and forwarded to the City

Council and should be returned by 6/15/2026.On a voice vote, the

Chair declared the motion carried.

COMMISSION CANDIDATE INTRODUCTION

COMMISSION CANDIDATE INTRODUCTION - Ben Bond

26-0828

Chair Keeler did an introduction of the commission candidate. The

candidate, Ben Bond introduced himself to the commission and provided

the commission with his background and experience in disability

concerns. Commissioners provided the candidate with questions and

comments.

CITY PERSONNEL REPORT - KENNEDI CUMMINGS

Kennedi Cummings reminded commissioners who submitted an

application for reappointment need to complete their oath of office. A

communication notice has been sent out.

CITY COUNCIL UPDATE - AYESHA GHAZI EDWIN

Council Member Ayesha Ghazi-Edwin reported that City Council has

started budget season in this month and anticipates that different

organizations will need more funding from City Council. More information

and details to come.Council Member Ayesha Ghazi-Edwin also reported

that the City of Ann Arbor is working to create a searchable database of

all rental properties in the City. The database will include accessibility,

income, and family size features. More information to come.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

VISION ZERO & TRANSPORTATION SAFETY PRESENTATION - KIRK WESTPHAL

The Neighborhood Institute presented their Safe Street Alliance

presentation. For more information about the Neighborhood Institute,

please visit their website at https://www.neighborhoodinstitute.org/

CITY TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM PRESENTATION - CYNTHIA REDINGER &

KALISTA OPSAHL

Cynthia Redinger and Kalista Opsahl presented on the City’s traffic

calming program. For more information about the City’s traffic calming

program., please visit the City's website at

https://www.a2gov.org/engineering/traffic/traffic-calming/

WASHTENAW LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PRINT DISABLED - KATIE

MONKIEWICZ

For information on the events that are taking place at the Library, please

visit their website at http://wlbpd.aadl.org/

DISABILITY NETWORK (Washtenaw, Monroe, Livingston) - ANDREA HENRY

For information on the events that are taking place with the Disability

Network, please visit their website at http://DNWML.org

PARTNERS IN ACCESS - ROB PACKARD

Commissioner Packard reported that the sub-committee did meet last

week and discussed updates on current topics brought to the

commission. Commissioner Packard also reported that the commissions

Facebook page has also been created. The link to the Facebook page

will be shared with the entire commission.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - RACHEL HAWKINS

Commissioner Hawkins was not present to report to the commission but

shared that the Ann Arbor inclusive the show that was scheduled to tape

on May 19 will be rescheduled as the studios are packing for their move

to their new site. The guest for next month will be Robert Williams Mibility

Manager from AAATA

RECRUITING ACTIVITY - KATHLEEN MOZAK

Commissioner Mozak shared that the recruitment committee did conduct

an interview recently to fill a vacancy on the commission. Commissioner

Mozak introduced Ben Bond once again to the commission. The

commission currently has 2

Anyone who is interested in applying can do so by contacting the Mayor's

office at 734-794-6161, or applying online at

https://a2gov.granicus.com/boards/w/fe6c5e22e6f4a331/vacancies. This

site can also be accessed online via the following path:

1. Go to a2gov.org

2. Click "Democracy" in the orange banner at the top of the page

3. Click "Board and Commissions" under the Meetings column

4. Scroll down to and click "Commission on Disability Issues" from the

alphabetically sorted list.

5. Click the "Apply" button at the upper-right corner of the page.

6. Complete the application, including all required fields, and then

click"Submit" at the button of the page.

Interested persons may also reach out if they may be interested in

serving on subcommittees such as Partners in Access and Community

Engagement.

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION UPDATE - LARRY KEELER

Chair Keeler reported that the Transportation Commission did meet last

month. Chair Keeler also shared that the commission discussed different

parking issues around the city and adding additional bike lanes. The

commission also discussed current construction projects around the City

and projects that are completed. More information and details to come.

The Transportation Commission is meeting tonight at 7:00pm and the

meeting will be live on CTN.

U OF M COUNCIL FOR DISABILITY CONCERNS MEETING UPDATE - MATTHEW

SOLOMON

Commissioner Solomon reported that he did not attend the University of

Michigan Council for Disability Concerns meeting this month but will plan

to attend the July meeting.

CHAIR REPORT - LARRY KEELER

Chair Keeler reminded commissioners that the commission will

participate in VISIONS 2026. The event will be held on Wednesday, June

3, 2026 from 11:00am to 4:00pm. The event will be at the Downtown Ann

Arbor District Library branch. Chair Keeler asked commissioners to

consider volunteering to table the event. More information and details to

come.

OLD BUSINESS

Commission Bylaws Discussion - LARRY KEELER

Chair Keeler asked commissioners last month to review the current

commission bylaws. This is specifically in situations where the

commission has elections and no Commissioner nominates themselves

for either the Chair or Vice Chair position. Commissioners provided their

thoughts and feedback on current language. The commission will have

an additional discussion on the bylaw changes after the summer recess.

More information and details to come.

NEW BUSINESS

New Commission Candidate Vote - LARRY KEELER

Commissioners provided their thoughts and feedback on the new

commission candidate. Additional questions and comments were shared

from the recruitment committee.

A motion was made by Damon, seconded by Packard, that Ben

Bond application be approved as a new commissioner on the

Commission on Disability Issues. On a voice vote, the Chair

declared the motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS

None

ADJOURNMENT

Damon moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mozak the meeting

adjourned at 6:02 P.M.

All persons are encouraged to participate in public meetings. Citizens requiring

translation or sign language services or other reasonable accommodations may

contact the City Clerk's office at 734.794.6140; via e-mail to: cityclerk@a2gov.org; or

by written request addressed and mailed or delivered to:

City Clerk's Office

301 E. Huron St.

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Requests made with less than two business days' notice may not be able to be

accommodated.