(A) Commission established, membership. There is hereby continued a Park Commission for the city, pursuant to M.S. § 412.111, as it may be amended from time to time. Said Commission shall consist of five voting members who shall be appointed by the Council. All members shall be paid a salary, per meeting, payable in two semiannual installments on June 30 and December 31 of each year. Commission members shall be paid only for those meetings attended. Reasonable expenses shall be allowed. The term of each member shall be three years. Both the original and successive appointees shall hold their respective offices until their successors are appointed and qualified. Vacancies during the term shall be filled in the same manner as the term vacated. Every appointed member shall, before entering upon the discharge of duties, take an oath to faithfully discharge the duties of the office.
(1978 Code, § 206.01)
(B) Meetings, procedures, officers. The Commission shall establish regular dates, but special meetings may be called by any two members of the Commission upon three days’ written notice to all members. The Commission shall establish such rules of procedure as may be deemed necessary. Said rules of procedure to be approved by the Council. The Council shall select a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary from the Commission membership who shall serve for terms of one year, beginning July 1 each year.
(1978 Code, § 206.02)
(C) Removal. Any Commission member may be removed for cause by a majority vote of all Council members.
(1978 Code, § 206.03)
(D) Finances. A Park and Recreation Fund shall be established in the city budget into which all taxes levied and collected for parks and recreation purposes, all gifts, bequests and endowments of money, donations or grants from person, firms or corporations, including governmental agencies and all fees and charges for recreational services or facilities shall be deposited. Said funds shall be kept separate from all other monies of the city. No disbursements shall be made from said fund except as approved by the Council.
(E) Powers and duties of Commission.
(1) Recreation program. The Commission shall advise the City Council in conducting a public recreation program for the city and its immediate vicinity and to that end, shall advise in the providing, conducting and supervising of recreation areas, facilities, services and programs for public recreation in its broadest sense, including playgrounds, parks, play fields, swimming pools, beaches, camps, indoor recreation centers and any and all other recreation facilities and activities either within or without the corporate limits of the city upon property under the custody and management of the city or on other public or private property with the consent of the owners of such property.
(2) Environmental duties. The Commission shall research and advise the City Council as to the nature and effect of city actions and decision on the environment, and on the provision, direction, and supervision of services and programs for the protection, either within or without the corporate limits of the city, of the environment. The Commission may advise the city to enter into agreements of a cooperative nature with other public and private agencies, organizations or individuals, when in the judgment of the Commission, such procedure would prove advantageous.
(3) Park system. The Commission shall advise the Council as to the control, development, management, operation and maintenance of a system of parks and recreation areas now in existence or that may hereafter be acquired by the city, and may advise the city to enter into agreements of a cooperative nature with other public and private agencies, organizations or individuals, when in the judgment of the Commission, such procedure would prove advantageous.
(4) Property acquisition. It shall be the duty of the Commission to make recommendations to the Council and Planning Commission concerning the property acquisitions needed or desired to complete a comprehensive parks and recreation system in the city.
(5) Attendance at Council meetings. One member shall attend Council meetings as requested by the Council.
(6) Reports. Annually, the Commission shall, on or before October 1, render a full report to the Council covering its operations for the preceding 12 months. It shall also render such other regular or special reports, advisory recommendations or make such investigations as it deems advisable or as may be requested by the Council.
(Ord. 2007-12, passed 7-24-2007; Ord. 2007-12, passed 7-24-2007)