Hawthorne Municipal Code Art. 1 Park, Recreation and Fine Arts Commission

There is hereby established a park, recreation and fine arts commission composed of seven members who are residents of the city.

(Prior code § 2-500; Ord. 995 § 2, 1971; Ord. 1680 § 3, 1999; Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021)

The park, recreation and fine arts commission shall act as an advisory body to the city council and community services department in all matters pertaining parks and public recreation and may cooperate with other governmental agencies and civic groups in the advancement of sound park and recreation planning and programming. In addition, it is authorized to:

A. Formulate policies on recreation services for approval by the city council;

B. Advise the city council as to the minimum qualifications for the position of director of community services;

C. Advise the city manager on problems of administration, development of recreation areas, facilities, programs and improved recreation services;

D. Recommend the adoption of standards on organization, personnel, area and facilities, program and financial support;

E. Make periodic inventories of recreation services that exist or may be needed and interpret the needs of the public to the city council and to the city manager;

F. Aid in coordinating the recreation services with the programs of other governmental agencies and voluntary organizations;

G. Make periodic appraisals of the effectiveness of the department of community services and staff in administering the program;

H. Interpret the policies and functions of the community services department to the public;

I. Advise the city manager and director of community services in the preparation of the annual budget and a long range recreation capital improvement program;

J. Coordinate and promote all avenues of fine arts within the city and to recommend specific programs in fine arts activities to be sponsored by the city. For this purpose, "fine arts activities" is defined as oil painting, watercolor painting, drawing, glassblowing, ceramics, metal sculpture, clay sculpture, jewel-making serigraphs, creative stitchery, wire sculpture, candle-making, lapidary, leather craft, paper-mache, theater arts, instrumental music, chorale music, language arts, dance and other associated activities;

K. Make studies, investigations, reports and recommendations to the community services director or to the city council with regards to the promotion of fine arts, the coordination of fine arts activities, and such other natters as may be referred to the commission by the city council from time to time.

(Prior code § 2-507; Ord. 1680 § 6, 1999; Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021)

The mayor shall appoint a commissioner from the citizens at large, and such appointment shall be ratified and confirmed by a majority vote of the city council. Members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed from office without cause, notice of hearing, by a majority vote of the city council.

(Ord. 1526 § 8, 1992; Ord. 1680 § 4, 1999; Ord. 1806 § 4, 2005; Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021)

A. The members of the commission shall not serve more than one term of four consecutive years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. This section shall apply regardless of whether the member's term has commenced or occurred prior to the effective date of the ordinance imposing this one term of four consecutive years. The removal of the members whose term has expired shall be in the order of the longest serving member's removal before other members whose term has expired.

B. The members of the commission who have served one term of four consecutive years may be reappointed pursuant to Section 2.22.030 of this chapter after ceasing to be a member for more than ninety consecutive days. If such member of the commission is thereafter reappointed pursuant to Section 2.22.030, the one term of four consecutive years begins anew.

(Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021; Ord. 2238 § 7, 2023; Ord. 2246, 12/12/2023)

The park, recreation and fine arts commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson by majority vote from among its members. The term of office of the chairperson and the vice chairperson shall be for the calendar year, or for that portion of the calendar year remaining after he or she is designated or elected. After the initial elected chairperson and a vice chairperson have served the term specified herein, the vice chairperson shall become the chairperson and the remaining members shall elect a new vice chairperson. The previous chairperson shall not be eligible to be a vice chairperson. This rotation of the chairperson and vice chairperson shall repeat after each one-year term. The members are not required to serve as a chairperson or vice chairperson and may decline to take such position, in which case, the position would go to the member yet to serve as the chair or vice chair.

(Prior code § 2-504; Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021; Ord. 2238 § 7, 2023)

To aid and assist the park, recreation and fine arts commission in its deliberations, two ex officio members are appointed. Said ex officio member shall be without vote. The two ex officio members shall be comprised of: (1) the director of community services or designee; and (2) the city manager or designee.

(Prior code § 2-502; Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021)

The park, recreation and fine arts commission shall adopt rules and regulations to govern procedure and shall by vote set a time for regular meeting which shall be held at least once each month. Special meetings may be held provided notice is given in accordance with the provisions contained in the Government Code. A majority of the regular members shall constitute a quorum. All meetings of the commission and all hearings required to be held by the commission shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and shall be open to the public except as provided by law.

(Prior code § 2-505; Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021)

The city manager shall appoint a secretary to the park, recreation and fine arts commission who shall maintain accurate minutes of the activities of the commission. Minutes shall include the following subject matter:

A. The time and place of each meeting of the commission;

B. The names of the commissioners present;

C. All official acts of the commission;

D. The votes given by commissioners except when the action is unanimous;

E. A summary of all proceedings before the commission. All minutes shall be reduced to writing and presented to the commission at its next regular meeting for approval, amendment or correction. The minutes or true copies thereof shall be open to public inspection. Copies of the minutes shall be furnished to the city council, members of this commission, and any other public official requiring them.

(Prior code § 2-506; Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021)

A vacancy shall automatically occur in the office of any commissioner who without excuse fails to attend three consecutive commission meetings, who files or causes to be filed or who consents to the filing of nomination papers nominating such commissioner for an elective office of the city, or who moves his or her place of residence outside of the city limits or who ceases to be an elector of the city.

(Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021)

The members of the commission shall be compensated in an amount as established by resolution or budget of the city council.

(Prior code § 2-503; Ord. 1680 § 5, 1999; Ord. 2222 § 4, 2021)