The responsibility for the care, supervision and management of any and all public parks, baths and other institutions owned or established by the village shall be vested in the executive power of this village, namely, the Mayor of the village who shall exercise this authority as provided in this section as follows.
(A) Any and all parks or recreation facilities owned by the village shall be operated and managed by the Mayor of the village by virtue of his or her executive authority.
(B) The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Village Council, shall appoint, hire and otherwise designate any and all employees for such park or recreational facilities. The Mayor shall also, with the advice and consent of the Village Council, make such regulations that are deemed necessary and prudent for the efficient operation and public use of park and recreation facilities.
(C) Compensation, benefits and rules of employment for such employees shall be established by the Council and shall be determined by the village’s annual pay ordinance, the village policy and procedures manual and such other regulations as deemed necessary by the Council.
(D) The Mayor may designate any other employee of the village or any other department of the village to provide for services for the parks or recreation facilities of the village.
(E) The Mayor may, with the advice and consent of Council, appoint a person to act as his or her designee for any of the operations of the parks upon such terms and conditions as the Council shall establish.
(F) Unless otherwise set forth herein, the care, supervision and management of any and all public parks, baths and other institutions owned or established by the village shall be exercised by the executive and legislative authorities of the village, as provided by law.
(G) The Council of the village finds and determines that input from interested citizens is essential in assisting with decisions made by village elected officials in setting priorities, planning and determining the best uses of park and recreation facilities. Therefore, there will be established, a Park and Recreation Advisory Board as set forth herein.
(1) The Park and Recreation Advisory Board shall consist of five electors of the village who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Village Council for a term of four years. Suggested membership should include representation by groups and organizations that utilize the parks and recreation facilities on a regular basis. Examples of these groups include the Bluffton Exempted School District, Bluffton Family Recreation and the like.
(2) The Park and Recreation Advisory Board’s initial membership shall be made up of two members appointed for two years and three members appointed for four years, thereafter, all terms shall be for a term of four years.
(3) The Park and Recreation Advisory Board shall meet not less than once per quarter of each year and shall be encouraged to meet at least one time per month. All meetings of the Park and Recreation Advisory Board shall be public meetings and governed by the Ohio Public Meetings Laws, being R.C. § 121.22.
(4) The Park and Recreation Advisory Board may make recommendations to the village, submit plans and suggestions for rules and regulations, propose expansion and uses for park and recreation facilities of the village and act as a primary liaison between the village government and the citizens of the village as to parks and recreation facilities.
(Ord. 19-07, passed 11-12-2007)