The composition, structure, powers and duties of the Parks Commission shall be those set out as follows:
(A) Membership. The Parks Commission members shall exemplify and take an active interest in the city parks, recreation, open space, and greenway programs through active involvement. Additionally, where possible, appointments shall be made in such a manner as to maintain on the Parks Commission at all times a majority of members who have experience with and knowledge of parks, recreation, open space, greenways, tree resource management, planning and development.
(B) Composition. The Parks Commission shall be comprised of seven members appointed as follows:
(1) Seven members: One member to represent each Council ward; and
(2) Ex-officio: Two members to represent the City Manager.
(C) Term. Members shall be appointed for three-year, staggered terms. Initial appoints shall consist of three members with three-year terms, two members with two-year terms, and two members with one-year terms.
(D) Structure. The Parks Commission shall be comprised of three subcommittees as enumerated in this section. The Committee of the Whole is charged with the entirety of the duties laid out in division (E) of this section, delegation of specific subcommittee duties as necessary and as indicated. All subcommittees shall report their work, recommendations or actions to the committee of the whole on at least an annual basis. The three subcommittees of the Parks Commission shall be:
(1) Facilities Committee. A committee composed of three members, electing among themselves a Committee Chair and a Secretary. The Committee may be supported by any number of volunteers from the community as the Committee may see fit to engage provided such volunteering occurs commensurate to the policies and procedures for volunteer management as adopted by the City.
(2) Activities Committee. A committee composed of three members, electing among themselves a Committee Chair and a Secretary. The Committee shall deal primarily with activities and programs. The Committee may be supported by any number of volunteers from the community as the Committee may see fit to engage provided such volunteering occurs commensurate to the policies and procedures for volunteer management as adopted by the City.
(3) Greenspace Committee. A committee composed of three members, electing among themselves a Committee Chair and a Secretary. The Committee shall deal primarily with greenspace and environmental management. The Committee may be supported by any number of volunteers from the community as the Committee may see fit to engage provided such volunteering occurs commensurate to the policies and procedures for volunteer management as adopted by the City.
(E) Duties. The Parks Commission shall have the following duties:
(1) Study and make recommendations to the City Manager for possible implementation of parks, recreation, open space, and greenway plans, policies, or initiatives.
(2) Educate the general public about the city’s parks, recreation, open space, and greenway programs.
(3) Provide assistance necessary to help promote the development of the parks, recreation, open space, and green way plans as approved by the City Council.
(4) Review and make recommendations to the City Council, in conjunction with the Planning Board, on development tracts which involve the dedication of a component of the city’s parks, recreation, open space, or greenway system.
(5) Seek sponsors and grants to help develop the parks, recreation, open space, and greenway system of the city in accordance with master plans and policies adopted by the City Council.
(F) The Parks Commission shall meet at least quarterly, and all meetings shall be open to the public. Subcommittees of the Commission shall meet as necessary and shall give adequate notice of such meetings as provided by law, provided that each committee meet at least annually. Proceedings of the Commission shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. A record shall be maintained of its members’ attendance, discussions, findings and recommendations all of which shall be public records. A majority of the sitting members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the taking of official action.
(G) It shall be the duty of all members to inform the administrative staff for the Commission of any anticipated absence and notification shall be immediately after receipt of the agenda. A member who misses three consecutive meetings or more than 30% of the meetings in a calendar year loses his status as a member of the Commission until reappointed or replaced by the City Council. Absences due to sickness, death or other emergencies of like nature shall be regarded as approved absences and shall not affect the member’s status of the Commission; except, that in the event of a long illness or other such case for prolonged absence the member may be replaced.
(H) The Parks Commission shall seek diversity and inclusion of all residents in a collaborative, transparent process focused on public participation and engagement.
(Ord. passed 1-19-21)
Editor’s note:
Division 5: Board of Adjustment, § 2-86 was repealed by Ord. 10-20-20, effective 1-1-21