The Board will have the following powers and perform the following duties:
(a) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks and recreation; will acquaint itself with and make a continuous study and review of the complete parks and recreation services of the City; and will advise with City Council from time to time as to the present and future maintenance, operation, planning, acquisition, development, enlargement, and use policies of the City's parks and recreation services; and
(b) Using the authority granted under West Virginia State Code §8-21-7, work in conjunction with the Director of Parks and Recreation as to the policy direction of the Parks and Recreation Department. The supervisory powers of the Board to manage and operate the City's parks system will be delegated to the Director of Parks and Recreation. The Board will review the proposed budget for the Parks and Recreation Department and make recommendations to the City Council through the Director as it deems necessary; and
(c) Study and encourage the development of park and recreation areas and study and encourage the development of wholesome recreation for all residents of the City of Charles Town; and
(d) After concurrence by the City Council, acquire in its name by purchase, lease, parkland dedication, by exercise of the power of eminent domain, or otherwise, such land or lands as it will determine to be necessary, appropriate, convenient or incidental to the establishment, construction, improvement, extension, development, maintenance or operation of a system of public parks, parkways, playgrounds, athletic fields, stadiums, arenas, and other public parks and recreational facilities for the City; and
(e) Consult with the Parks and Recreation Department Director on problems of development of recreation areas, facilities, programs, and improved recreational services; and
(f) Recommend the adoption of standards, areas, facilities, program, and financial support; and
(g) Establish and periodically review a master planning guide for parks and recreation and become familiar with such plan and its relation to existing and proposed facilities and will become aware of any revision or updating thereof; and
(h) Advise and recommend to the City Council on the development of long-range capital improvement programs and, when in its opinion the need exists for additional parks and recreational facilities, grounds, premises, or equipment, it will make appropriate recommendations to the City Council; and
(i) Using the authority granted in West Virginia State Code §8-21-9 to take title to real and personal property and after concurrence by the City Council, convey real property to the Board by public bodies; sell and convey real property by the Board and execute deeds; and
(j) Using the authority granted in West Virginia Code §8-21-10 as to general powers, enactment and enforcement of rules and general counsel, provided however, develop for City Council review and adoption, rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Board for use of parks and recreational facilities and enforcement therein; and
(k) From time to time recommend to the City Council amendments to or changes in this Ordinance; and
(l) Through its President, make both an oral and written report annually to the City Council concerning its activities during the past year and its proposals for the coming year; and
(m) Develop and recommend written policies and procedures for the Parks and Recreation Department Director to follow for the use of parks and recreational facilities and for the conduct of all recreational activities which policies and procedures will be subject to approval by the City Council; and
(n) Develop for City Council approval a set of by-laws and governing rules of procedure for their meetings and operation; and
(o) Have the power to charge for use of recreational facilities and use those funds accordingly on behalf of the City of Charles Town as prescribed in West Virginia State Code §8-21-11; and
(p) Receive and disburse for such purposes, any moneys appropriated to it by the City Council, together with any other funds which may come into its hands by gift, grant, donation, bequest, devise, or from its own operation, or otherwise. The City and the Board will comply with West Virginia State Code §8-21-13 for public parks and recreation bonds; and
(q) All powers and duties prescribed and delegated herein are delegated to the Board as a unit and all action hereunder will be of the Board acting as a whole. No action of an individual Commissioner is authorized except through the Board.
(Ord. 2020-012. Passed 8-3-20.)