(A) Establishment. There is hereby established for the town a Park and Recreation Board (“Park Board”), which shall be governed by and operate pursuant to the provisions of I.C. 36-10-3, the applicable provisions of which, as they may be amended, are hereby incorporated, by reference, as part of this section.
(B) Park Board.
(1) The Park Board shall consist of four members appointed by the Council. Those members shall be appointed based upon their interest in and knowledge of parks and recreation. Members of the Park Board must be residents of the town and not more than two members may be affiliated with the same political party. The Council, pursuant to I.C. 36-10-3-4.1, upon determining that there is an absence of persons who are willing to serve on the Park Board and who satisfy all statutory requirements, may waive the political affiliation requirement. A member of the Council may not serve on the Park Board. Initial appointments to the Park Board shall be as follows:
(a) One member for a term of one year.
(b) One member for a term of two years.
(c) One member for a term of three years.
(d) One member for a term of four years.
(2) After the appointment of the initial Park Board members setting the staggering of the member terms, each of the members shall be appointed for a four-year term. All terms will expire on the first Monday in January, but a member continues in office until the member’s successor is appointed. At its first regular meeting of each year, the Park Board shall elect a president, vice president, and secretary. The Park Board shall meet at least quarterly and shall be subject to the Indiana Open Door Law. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum, and action of the Park Board is not official unless it is authorized by at least three members present and acting.
(C) Park Board duties and powers. The Park Board shall exercise general supervision of and make rules for the Department, shall establish rules governing the use of the town’s park and recreation facilities by the public, and shall otherwise carry out its duties as provided under I.C. 36-10-3-10 and I.C. 36-10-3-11, subject to the legislative, budgetary, and salary setting authority of the Town Council.
(D) Appointment of a Superintendent.
(1) The Park Board may appoint a superintendent of parks and recreation. The Park Board may not consider political affiliation in the selection of the superintendent. The superintendent must:
(a) Be qualified by training or experience in the field of parks and recreation; or
(b) Have a certification or an advanced degree in the field of parks and recreation.
(2) Under the direction of the Board, the superintendent shall perform duties that the Board directs.
(Ord. 2022-5, passed 11-21-22)