(A) Establishment. There is hereby created a Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Forest Lake that will be the successor to the current Park, Trails, and Lakes Commission, which is hereby abolished. This Commission is not a park board as is defined under M.S. Ch. 412 and shall have no powers to acquire or lease land, employ personnel, or enter into contracts or leases, or any similar powers authorized for a park board by state law.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions will apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
PARK SYSTEM. All areas of land for the enjoyment of the public in the city, including public parks, trails, open spaces and public service facilities.
PARTNERED RECREATION PROGRAMS. Any program for organized recreation such as athletics, games and other similar activities where the city is partnering with another entity such as the Forest Lake Area Athletic Association or the Forest Lake School District to provide the programming.
SPECIAL PUBLIC EVENTS. A group activity including, but not limited to, a performance, meeting, assembly, contest, exhibit, ceremony, festival, parade, reading, or picnic for which specific space is requested to be reserved. It is an activity where the general public is invited, allowed or encouraged to attend. This shall not be defined as a private event, restricted to members of a family, organizations, group, or by invitation only. This definition shall not include casual park use by visitors.
(C) Purpose. The Commission is an advisory body, tasked with the responsibility to review and make recommendations to the Forest Lake City Council and city staff on matters of the development and use of the city's park system, development and promotion of special public events, and the development and promotion of partnered recreation programs.
(D) Membership.
(1) The Commission will consist of 7 regular members appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of the Council. One member will be a representative from the Forest Lake Area Athletic Association (FLAAA) and 1 member will be a representative from the Forest Lake Area School District (FLASD). With the exception of the FLAAA and FLASD representatives, all members of the Commission will be qualified voters and residents of the city.
(2) Regular members will be appointed to a 3-year term, with a limit of 2 consecutive terms. Terms will expire January 31 of the third year of such term. Members appointed to the initial Commission will serve the following initial terms: 2 members will serve for a term of 1 year, 2 members will serve for a term of 2 years, and 3 members will serve for a term of 3 years. Initial terms of less than 3 years will not be counted towards the consecutive term limit. Time served by members existing prior to the initial Commission's formation will not be counted towards the consecutive term limit.
(3) Vacancies will be filled by appointment of the Mayor with approval of the Council for the balance of the term. A member of the Commission may be removed with or without cause by a simple majority vote of Council.
(E) Meetings.
(1) The Commission will hold the following meetings:
(a) At least 1 regular meeting each month at such time and place as it may fix by Council resolution; and
(b) An annual public meeting to receive community comments regarding the Commission's purpose and goals for the upcoming year.
(2) A simple majority of the Commission constitutes a quorum. Findings will be recorded in the official minutes, which shall be a public record. Members will receive compensation of $25 per meeting and are entitled to a reasonable reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses incurred. No obligation incurred by any person on behalf of Commission will be valid unless the expenditure is authorized the Council.
(3) At the first regular meeting in February, the Commission will elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from among its appointed members for a term of 1 year; and the Commission may create and fill such other offices as it may determine. The Chairperson will preside over all meetings, and in the event of their absence, the Vice Chairperson will perform these duties.
(F) Commissioner duties.
(1) The Commission will review, advise and make recommendations to the Council regarding:
(a) Matters related to the park system, including but not limited to the expansion of and plans for the development;
(b) Updates to the park system in the city's comprehensive plan, park system plan, and individual park plans;
(c) Proposed special public events and partnered recreation programs;
(d) Parkland dedication requirements for proposed developments;
(e) Annual fee schedule changes, budgets, and capital improvement plans (including, but not limited to, capital replacements, repairs, and additions).
(2) The Commission will assist city staff as requested and advise city staff in matters of policy regarding the following tasks:
(a) The attitudes and concerns of the citizens of Forest Lake regarding the park system, special public events and partnered recreation programs;
(b) Engagement with a variety of internal and external stakeholders in matters beneficial to the park system;
(c) Quality and variety of special public events and partnered recreation programs;
(d) Monitor industry trends;
(e) Methods to engage positive public interest in the park system, special public events and partnered recreation programs;
(f) Feasible methods of discouraging vandalism and destruction of the park system; and
(g) Hold public meetings on plans, programs, and policies as necessary.
(G) Staff's duties. The work of the Commission is a collaborative effort between the Commission and multiple city departments including Community Development and Public Works. Both departments shall assign a qualified member of their respective departments to carry out the following:
(1) Prepare and update all plans regarding the park system, special public events, and partnered recreation programs;
(2) Coordinate opportunities for citizen participation and education of the park system, special public events and partnered recreation programs; and
(3) Attend Commission meetings as may be required.
(4) The Community Development Department shall:
(a) Provide orientation and ongoing training to all new Commission members;
(b) Keep Commission informed of relevant actions of the Council and other city commissions;
(c) Prepare an agenda for each Commission meeting;
(d) Prepare minutes from each Commission meeting and submit to the Commission for review and approval at the following meeting;
(e) Plan and execute special public events for the city;
(f) Coordinate applications for privately-organized special public events and partnered recreation programs;
(g) Assist with parks system development planning and implementation;
(h) Assist with the development and maintenance of the parks system capital improvement plan; and
(i) Manage the parks system programming budget.
(5) The Public Works Department shall:
(a) Oversee the ongoing maintenance of the parks system and keep the Commission informed on maintenance needs;
(b) Carry out the construction and development of changes to the parks system;
(c) Develop and maintain the park system capital improvement and maintenance plans; and
(d) Manage the parks maintenance budget.
(H) Reports. By January 15 of each year, the Commission shall submit to the Council a report of its work during the preceding year.
(Ord. 721, passed - - )