(A) Generally.
(1) Creation/membership.
(a) The Parks Commission is hereby created. The Commission shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the City Council, not more than two of whom may be non-residents of the city.
(b) In addition to the appointment of the regular members as described in division (A)(1)(a) above, the City Council shall also appoint two alternate members. The alternate members may serve if needed to constitute a quorum for any meeting, or if a quorum of regular members is in attendance, then at the discretion of the Commission President, the alternate members may serve and vote at such meetings as if they were regular members.
(2) Term of offices. Except as hereinafter provided for the initial appointment of the Commission members, the term of office shall be for two years, or until a member’s successor is appointed and qualified. The terms of office for the initial Commission members (excluding the ex-officio Councilor, whose term shall be at the pleasure of the Council) shall be staggered:
(a) Two members: two-year term;
(b) Two members: three-year term; and
(c) One member: one-year term.
(3) Removal from office. Any member of the Commission may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council at any time without cause. No member shall miss more than three consecutive meetings.
(4) Vacancies in office. Any vacancy in the Commission shall be filled by appointment made by the City Council for the unexpired portion of the term.
(5) Oath of office. Members of the Commission shall qualify by taking and subscribing an oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the state and the Charter and ordinances, and to faithfully and impartially perform the duties of the office to the best of his or her ability.
(6) Compensation of members. The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation as such, except as the City Council may approve reimbursement to Commission members for out-of-pocket expenses.
(B) Organization of the Commission.
(1) President and Vice-President.
(a) The Commission shall elect a President and a Vice-President from its membership, other than the ex-officio City Councilor. They shall hold office at the pleasure of the Commission.
(b) The President shall preside over all Commission meetings. The Vice-President shall preside over the meetings in the absence of the President. The President and/or Vice-President shall perform such other duties on behalf of the Commission as imposed by the Commission or ordinance.
(2) Secretary. The Commission shall elect a secretary, who need not be a member of the Commission, and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission. The secretary shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the Commission and shall perform such other duties as are imposed by the Commission.
(3) Liaison to City Council. The Commission shall elect a liaison officer, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission. The liaison officer shall report to the City Council as is necessary.
(4) Quorum. Three members of the Commission, excluding the City Councilor, shall constitute a quorum.
(5) Voting. The concurrence of a majority of the members present at a Commission meeting shall be necessary to decide any question before the Commission.
(6) Meeting time and place/location of business records. The Commission shall meet at least once each month.
(a) The regular meeting place of the Commission shall be as designated by the City Council from time to time.
(b) The Council shall designate a place for the transaction of the business of the Commission and keeping of its records.
(7) Commission procedures. The Commission may make, establish, and alter rules and regulations for its governance and procedure consistent with the laws of the state and with the Charter and ordinances of the city.
(C) General powers and duties.
(1) Generally. The Commission shall have the powers and duties set forth by ordinance of the city or as delegated by the City Council.
(2) Recommendations to city field supervisor. It shall be the duty of the Commission and it shall have the power, except as otherwise provided by law, to recommend and make suggestions to the city field supervisor or such other person as designated by the City Council concerning the following matters:
(a) The formation of rules and regulations for the operation and use of parks;
(b) Planning for future growth, development, and improvement with respect to parks;
(c) To recommend the improvements and maintenance that with regard to parks; and
(d) Recommend proposed leases to the City Council for consideration and execution.
(D) Normal maintenance of parks. The city field supervisor shall supervise the execution of normal parks maintenance.
(Ord. 206, passed 8-1-1994; Ord. 267, passed 5-18-2004; Ord. 290, passed 9-20-2011)