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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2696 Clarifying the Roles and Responsibilities of the Park and Recreation Commission and Increasing the Number of Members from Seven to NineOrainance No. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING CHAPTER 2.28, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, TO CHANGE THE NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS FROM SEVEN TO NINE, AND CLARIFYING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION WHEREAS, the City Council desires to enhance the Park and Recreation Commission, expanding the existing citizen Commission in the long-range planning for park and recreation facilities. The expanded role of the Commission is necessary as the City Council focuses on the City's needs through the change to the Council-Manager form of government; and WHEREAS, the Growth Management Act and competition for available recreational grant funds encourage a broader public participation in the park planning process; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the City should enlarge the responsibilities of the Park and Recreation Commission to enhance public participation and long-range planning in park, open space and recreation matters, and to implement the 1999 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan and the park, recreation and open space elements of the 1998 Non-Motorized Plan; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to empower the reconstituted Commission to encourage expanded citizen participation in the policy development of park and recreation activities of the city; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to increase the number of members on the Park and Recreation Commission from seven to nine members, with provision for additional task- oriented citizen assistance, NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend does ordain as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 2.28, Park and Recreation Commission, Section 2.28.010, Created-Membership, of the Port Townsend Municipal Code is hereby repealed. (Ord. ~ 1, 1999.) SECTION 2. New Sections 2.28.010, .020, .030, and .040 of Chapter 2.28 are hereby adopted to read as follows: Chapter 2.28 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Sections: 2.28.010 Membership. 2.28.020 Duties. 2.28.030 Procedure. 2.28.040 Removal. 2.28.010 Membership. There is established a park and recreation commission consisting of nine members to be appointed by the mayor, with the consent of the city council. The term of office of the nine members shall be three years, except that the initial appointments shall be staggered from one to three years so that no more than three members shall have their terms expire in any one year. Each of the members of the commission shall serve without compensation. Initial determination of term of appointment shall be determined by lot. Members of the commission shall reside within the City of Port Townsend or within the Port Townsend urban growth area boundary, or shall be business owners, operators or employees within the City of Port Townsend or within the Port Townsend urban growth area boundary. At all times at least seven members of the commission shall be residents of the City of Port Townsend. 2.28.020 Duties. A. The Commission is entrusted with the responsibilities of advising and making recommendations to the city council for the acquisition, control, improvement, design, beautification, stewardship, and planning of all public squares, parks and open space of the city and all city recreation facilities and programs. The commission shall periodically review whether the lands being used for park purposes are adequate and shall recommend to the city council what additional lands and grounds should be acquired and used for park and recreation purposes. The commission may explore and recommend public/private partnerships where appropriate and feasible. The commission shall also recommend design criteria and evaluate the design of park structures to the city council and shall make recommendations on any updates or amendments to the city's Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan, the parks, recreation and open space elements of the City of Port Townsend's Comprehensive Plan, and the parks, recreation and open space elements of the city's Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. B. The commission shall recommend to the city council appropriate measures to ensure that the city has a well-integrated and complete program for the use of its parks, open spaces, and recreation programs and facilities. To accomplish this end, the commission shall, from time to time, meet with appropriate city employees and with representatives and officials 2 Ord. of other groups, public and private, who are interested in the use and development of city parks and recreational facilities for the public benefit. C. The commission shall not have any administrative or supervisory powers not available to the city council. 2.28.030 Procedure. A. The commission shall elect its own chairperson. The commission shall hold at least one meeting per month, unless canceled by the chairperson, and shall adopt rules for the transaction of business, keep a record of its meeting by a board member, who shall be appointed secretary, and shall submit such record to the city clerk. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and any action taken by a majority of those present shall be deemed action of the commission. Except for public hearings (where appropriate) audio recordings are not required. B. The Commission may create such task-oriented subgroups as it may deem necessary or expedient to expand public process and participation in a manner similar to the city council task group concept contained in the "City Council Rules of Procedures.' Such task groups may help develop public consensus on park, recreation and open space matters, tree planting and maintenance programs, and public golf course management and development options and advise the commission in the development of recommendations to the city council. 2.28.040 Removal. The mayor may remove any member of the commission for any reason other than disagreement with an official recommendation of the commission or its members, provided, that such removal has been confirmed by the majority of the city council. Vacancies occurring otherwise than by expiration of the term of office shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as regular appointments are made. (Ord. § 2, 1999). SECTION 3. Upon adoption of this ordinance, all existing Park and Recreation Commission members shall be retained until the expiration of their terms. SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication in the manner provided by law. 3 Ord. Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held this /"{ day of /~ ,1999. Forrest Rambo, Mayor Attest: Pam Kolacy, City Clerk 04/23/99 Ord\{Ch2-28.doe} Approvgd~as to FOrm: l~ahan~ Cit~A'~°~ey 4 Ord.