(A) The Park Commission for the city is hereby established. The Commission shall advise the City Council as to acquisition, construction, contracts, purchase of supplies, equipment and services, maintenance and funding of all city parks. As an advisory commission, the Park Commission shall not have the powers enumerated in M.S. § 412.521, as it may be amended from time to time.
(`87 Code, § 205.01)
(B) (1) At a Council meeting, the number of members may be adjusted, if necessary, to a membership number which reflects the participation level at the end of the previous year.
(2) The City Council shall appoint the appropriate number of citizens to serve on the Park Board. Those appointments shall be for three-year staggered terms. Thereafter, the appropriate number shall be appointed each year for a term of three years. Vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the original terms by appointment of the Mayor with the consent of the Council. In addition, the Council shall select an ex officio member from among its own members to serve as liaison between the Park Commission and the City Council.
(3) Any member may be removed by the City Council for cause after a hearing. The Council shall have cause to remove any member who is absent from three consecutive duly scheduled Park Commission meetings without notifying or obtaining the consent of the Commission Chair or is otherwise absent from five of any 12 consecutive Park Commission meetings without notifying or obtaining the consent of the Commission Chair.
(4) The Commission shall normally meet once per month. The Commission shall schedule additional special meetings and/or cancel regularly scheduled meetings as the Commission deems appropriate.
(`87 Code, § 205.02)
(C) (1) The Park Commission shall choose one of its members as the Chair. The Park Commission may also select the Vice-Chair and/or Secretary from among its own members.
(2) The Commission may adopt rules of procedure governing its operation which shall take effect only if approved by a majority vote of the City Council at a duly called City Council meeting.
(3) Written minutes of meetings of the Park Commission shall be kept by the Park Commission. A copy of the minutes shall also filed with the City Administrator prior to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting, but shall be subject to approval of the Commission at the next Park Commission meeting. The City Administrator shall include the minutes along with other pertinent reports from the Park Commission in the City Council meeting packets.
(`87 Code, § 205.03)
(D) (1) The Park Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council. In particular, the Park Commission shall make recommendations to the Council regarding:
(a) The construction of roadways, buildings and other necessary structures and improvements in parks;
(b) Contracts and leases for the construction and operation of park facilities;
(c) The purchases of all necessary materials, supplies, equipment and services pertaining to parks;
(d) The maintenance of park property so that it is adequately maintained and cared for;
(e) Entertainment for the general public on park grounds;
(f) The review of proposed subdivisions to assure compliance with the park provisions of Chapter 153 of this code of ordinances; (The review may include, but not may not be limited to comments on whether the city should pursue payment of a park dedication fee in lieu of dedication of an area within the subdivision for use as park property.)
(g) The review of the city’s comprehensive plan as it relates to the development and acquisition of park property; and
(h) Other duties and powers as the City Council may delegate to the Commission.
(2) In addition to reviewing and commenting on the park needs as they relate to the city, the Park Commission shall endeavor to meet on an annual basis with the park boards and park commissions of surrounding jurisdictions to evaluate the longer term park needs of the area.
(`87 Code, § 205.04)
(E) (1) For the purpose of maintaining the city parks, there shall be established a special fund called the “Park Fund”.
(2) The City Council may transfer to the Park Fund the monies as the Council considers necessary for park purposes.
(3) The Park Commission may conduct benefit events for the purpose of raising monies, soliciting donations and running concessions provided that all activities are approved by the City Council and not in conflict with the duly adopted ordinances of the city or state law.
(4) The Park Commission shall have no authority whatsoever to expend city funds. The Commission may make recommendations to the City Council regarding expenditures, but no expenditures for park purposes shall be made unless and until authorized by the City Council.
(5) No later than September 1 of each year, the Park Commission shall present, in detail, to the City Council its estimate of the financial needs for operation of the city park system for the ensuing fiscal year.
(`87 Code, § 205.05)