Chapter 4 — PARKS, RECREATION AND ARTS

COMMISSION

Section

2-4-1 Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission created

2-4-2 Membership and terms of office

2-4-3 Removal of members and vacancies

2-4-4 Meetings

2-4-5 Adoption of rules

2-4-6 Duties and responsibilities

There shall be and there is hereby created and established a Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission for the city.

(Ord. 633, passed 2-20-2018)

(A) Membership and compensation. The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission shall consist of seven members over the age of 18, to be appointed by a majority vote of the City Council from the residents of the city. A maximum of one member may reside outside the city limits, as long as they reside within the boundaries of the Livingston Union School District. Members of the City Council shall not be eligible to serve as Commission members, but may be appointed by the City Council to attend Commission meetings as liaisons to the City Council. Parks, Recreation and Arts Commissioners may not generally serve on

any other advisory committees at the same time.

(B) Terms. Each member of the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission shall be appointed for four years. Terms expire on January 31 of the fourth year of a member’s term, or until their successors are appointed. Terms will be staggered with three members’ terms ending on the same year and the terms of the remaining four members ending two years later. A member of the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission may be reappointed to any number of successive terms. Should a vacancy occur through means other than term expiration, the appointment of the new member shall be for the remainder of the vacated term.

(C) Chairperson. The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission shall appoint a Chairperson and Secretary from among the appointed members. The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission shall also have an option to appoint a Vice Chairperson. These officers shall hold office for one year, or until their successors are appointed, and may hold the office for any number of successive terms. This member, in addition to the usual chairpersonship duties, shall be the official contact between the Commission and the City Council.

(Ord. 633, passed 2-20-2018; Ord. 640, passed 9-3-2019)

(A) Removal from the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission.Any member of the Commission may be removed from the Commission by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the City Council, or by a majority vote of the City Council.

(B) Resignation of members. A member of the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission may resign from the Commission by filing a written statement with the City Manager. Upon filing the written statement with the City Manager, the resignation shall become effective at the time of the filing and said member shall cease to be a member of the Commission and a vacancy shall then exist.

(C) Absence with/without cause. Any member of the Commission shall automatically be deemed to have vacated his or her seat if the Commissioner fails to attend any three meetings in any 12-month period, unless the absence is the result of illness or family emergency. In the event that a Commissioner is unable to attend a meeting due to illness or family emergency, the Commissioner shall inform the City Manager, or the department head working with the Commission, at the earliest opportunity before the meeting in order for the absence to be excused. In the event that a Commissioner is deemed to have vacated his or her seat, the Commission or City Manager shall immediately inform the City Council of such vacancy. Vacancies on the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission for whatever cause shall be filled by the City Council for the unexpired term.

(Ord. 633, passed 2-20-2018)

The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission will meet on a monthly basis. The meeting time and location will be agreed upon by a majority of the members and the City Manager. A majority of the Commission, not counting vacant seats, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(Ord. 633, passed 2-20-2018)

The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission may adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a public record of its transactions, findings, determinations and recommendations.

(Ord. 633, passed 2-20-2018)

It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission to act in an advisory and volunteer capacity in the development of parks, recreation and art opportunities for the city’s residents. In their capacity, the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission shall:

(A) Recommend to the City Council a parks and recreation master plan. If directed by the City Council, the Commission shall recommend to the City Council a parks, recreation and arts master plan, either in lieu of or in addition to, the parks and recreation master plan. After any initial master plan has been adopted by the City Council, the Commission shall periodically review the master plan and make appropriate recommendations to the City Council;

(B) Recommend to the City Council individual park master plans for each park in the city;

(C) Constructively encourage public recreational and art activities in the city;

(D) Recommend projects, legislation, policies, funding allocations and other measures, programs or activities for the development of park, recreation and art opportunities in the city;

(E) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to recreation;

(F) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to art or art programs within the city;

(G) Carry out projects, programs or activities as directed by the City Council;

(H) Consider the annual budget for recreation during the annual budget process and make recommendations with respect

thereto to the City Council;

(I) Initiate, sponsor and promote involvement, activities and contributions by the private sector for the development of parks, recreational and art activities in the city; and

(J) Assist in the planning of a recreation program for city residents, promote and stimulate public interest therein, and solicit the cooperation of school authorities and other public and private agencies interested therein.

(Ord. 633, passed 2-20-2018)