(A) Establishment. A Park and Recreation Commission is hereby established.
(B) Membership. The Park and Recreation Commission shall be composed of seven members.
(C) Authority and duties. The Park and Recreation Commission shall have the following authority and duties:
(1) The Park and Recreation Commission shall supervise and control the use of public park lands, recreation, and senior citizen programs in the city, including parks, parkways, playgrounds; recreation fields and buildings; lakes, streams, and beaches therein; and all public service facilities related thereto. The Commission shall also recommend improvements for such parks as may be necessary and desirable, and shall have the authority to make reasonable administrative rules and regulations, including setting fees, governing public use of park lands and buildings, but shall at all times be subject to the direction and authority of the Council. All recreation programs shall be in accordance with the policies approved by the City Council.
(2) The Commission shall have broad programming latitude in the implementation of those policies, including programming ideas, development, and functions.
(3) The Commission shall conduct and supervise recreation services and programs for public recreation in its broadest sense, including playgrounds, parks, playfields, swimming pools, beaches, camps, indoor recreation centers, and any and all other recreation activities.
(4) The Park and Recreation Commission shall have the power to make expenditures from funds so authorized and budgeted by the Council and approved by the City Manager; provided, however, that no single expenditure shall be made in an amount in excess of that authorized by City Charter.
(a) All monies received by the Park and Recreation Commission or its representatives in the course of administering any properties or programs under its jurisdiction shall be turned over to the Treasurer at intervals of not greater than once each week for placement in the appropriate fund. No monies placed in said fund shall be transferred to any other fund unless authorized by a resolution of the Council and passed by four-fifths vote of said Council.
(b) The Park and Recreation Commission shall keep such books and records or account as are necessary for a proper recording of its financial activities as determined by the City Manager. At a time prescribed by the City Manager, the Commission shall submit to the Council a proposed budget showing its estimated financial requirements for the ensuing fiscal year.
(c) Expenditures may be made for the purpose of making improvements on park lands, such as planting trees, shrubs and flowers, and ornamenting or protecting the same; administering park and recreation programs for the citizens of the city; or in any other manner authorized and allowed under this section and the City Charter.
(d) All claims and all bills incurred by the Commission shall be presented to the Council for payment and paid in the same manner as other claims against the city are paid.
(5) The Park and Recreation Commission may authorize the issuance of permits for otherwise prohibited activities to allow the holders thereof to:
(a) Remain in the parks or on the parkways, lakes or waterways during otherwise prohibited hours;
(b) Post notices;
(c) Park vehicles in otherwise unauthorized areas;
(d) Aquaplane or water ski in otherwise prohibited areas;
(e) Distribute circulars or cards;
(f) Sell refreshments or other articles;
(g) Bring a dog into the park for the purpose of conducting dog shows or exhibitions held under the direction of the Commission;
(h) Conduct shows of entertainment or exhibitions;
(i) Conduct public meetings or public speeches upon a showing to the Commission that the health and safety of those in attendance will be properly safeguarded; and
(j) Have fires on the ice of any lake under the jurisdiction of the Commission upon showing of compliance with regulations established by the Commission for the safety of said heaters.
(6) The Park and Recreation Commission shall have the authority to revoke for good cause, any permit issued either by the Commission or the designated city employee, but (except upon conviction by court) the person whose permit is subject to be revoked shall have at least five days' notice thereof in writing and the opportunity to appear before the Commission, or a committee thereof, to show cause why this permit should not be revoked.
(7) The Commission and the Recreation Director shall have authority to suspend any coach, referee or other person when it is for the good of the recreation program. Such suspension may be appealed to the full Commission if requested in writing within five days to the City Manager. If not appealed within five days, the suspension shall stand. If appealed, the Commission shall meet to let the suspended individual be heard. Thereafter, the Commission shall make a finding. Such finding is final.
(8) The Commission is empowered and authorized to solicit and receive gifts, bequests, or endowments of money or property as donations or grants from persons, firms or corporations including governmental agencies and to administer the funds for public park and recreation purposes subject to City Charter and city policy.
(`77 Code, § 3.301) (Am. Ord. 1230, passed 8-26-91; Am. Ord. 1405, passed 2-14-00; Am. Ord. 1535, passed 9-8-08; Am. Ord. 1664, passed 2-22-21)