Chapter 2.04 — PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

Section 2.04.010 Establishment. 2.04.020 Definitions.

2.04.030 Appointments and qualifications. 2.04.040 Terms. 2.04.050 Officers—Meetings—Records. 2.04.060 Forfeiture of office. 2.04.070 General powers and duties of the Commission.

The Parks and Recreation Commission, heretofore established, is reestablished as modified. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council. It shall consist of seven members who shall serve without compensation. (Prior Code, § 2.04.010) (Ord. 2020-01, passed 1-21-2020; Ord. 95-1773, passed - -1995)

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section. COMMISSION. The Parks and Recreation Commission. DEPARTMENT. The Community Services Department. DIRECTOR. The Community Services Director. (Prior Code, § 2.04.020) (Ord. 2020-01, passed 1-21-2020; Ord. 14-05, passed 10-21-2014; Ord. 03-1915, passed - -2003; Ord. 95-1773, passed - -1995)

Each member of the City Council shall select and appoint one member to the Commission, subject to approval of the appointment by the remainder of the Council. The remaining two members shall be selected at large by the City Council as a whole. Each appointee shall: (A) Maintain their principal place of residence within the city limits or sphere of influence of the City of Tulare at the time of their appointment and throughout the term of service; and (B) Notwithstanding any other law, a person, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, is eligible to hold an appointed civil office if the person is 18 years of age and a resident of the state. Officials of the city shall not be eligible to appointment as Commissioners, except as may be provided in this chapter for ex-officio officers. (Prior Code, § 2.04.030) (Ord. 2022-13, passed 10-4-2022; Ord. 2020-01, passed 1-21-2020; Ord. 95-1773, passed - -1995)

The terms of office of all members of the Commission shall be four years and/or until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified. Should a vacancy occur in the Commission for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by an appointment by the City Council. Whenever, in the discretion of the City Council, the best of interests of the city shall be served thereby, any member of the Commission may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Council. (Prior Code, § 2.04.040) (Ord. 2020-01, passed 1-21-2020; Ord. 95-1773, passed - -1995)

The Commission shall hold meetings regularly and shall designate the time and place thereof. The Director, or his or her designee, shall be the Secretary to the Commission, who shall keep a record of its proceedings and transactions. This record shall be a public record. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public pursuant to the rules adopted by the Commission. A majority of Commissioners shall constitute a quorum. The Parks and Recreation Commission, in July of each year, shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from members of the Commission for a term of one year. (Prior Code, § 2.04.050) (Ord. 2020-01, passed 1-21-2020; Ord. 95-1773, passed - -1995)

Notwithstanding any other provision of the chapter, any Parks and Recreation Commissioner who absents himself or herself for any reason other than illness or family emergency from any three consecutive regular meetings of the Commission or who is absent from a total of 50% or more of all meetings of the Commission in any consecutive 12-month

period shall thereby automatically forfeit his or her position as a member of the Commission, unless the City Council shall find and determine that there was good cause to excuse the absences. (Prior Code, § 2.04.060) (Ord. 2020-01, passed 1-21-2020; Ord. 95-1773, passed - -1995)

(A) Advise the City Council regarding policies for the acquisition, development, maintenance and improvement of park facilities and make recommendations as appropriate; (B) Formulate and recommend to the City Council, fee schedules, policies, rules and regulations for park sites and other recreation facilities; (C) Formulate and recommend to the City Council a recreation and park program for the inhabitants of the city which emphasizes general educational and recreational objectives for children and adults of the city; promotes and stimulates public interest in parks and recreation programs; and which encourages to the fullest extent possible, the cooperation of the local school authorities and other public and/or private agencies or interests; (D) Advise the City Council regarding the acceptance or rejection of offers of donations of money, personal and/or real property to the city for recreation, park purposes and use and make recommendations where appropriate; (E) Advise the City Council regarding the Community Services Department budgets and make recommendations as appropriate; (F) Serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council and the Director with regard to all questions concerning the growth, maintenance or location of trees within the city; (G) Recommend programs, policies and ordinances to implement and support the city's street tree plan, and encourage and promote the planting and proper husbandry of trees throughout the city; (H) Establish educational and informational programs; and (I) Perform other duties relating to community services and park matters as may be dictated from time to time by the City Council. (Prior Code, § 2.04.070) (Ord. 2020-01, passed 1-21-2020; Ord. 14-05, passed 10-21-2014; Ord. 95-1773, passed - -1995)