Wasco Municipal Code Ch. 2.16 Public Recreation Department

Sections: 2.16.010 Established.

2.16.020 Commission--Membership--Terms--Vacancy filling. 2.16.030 Commission--Bylaw adoption--Organization. 2.16.040 Commission--Officers--Duties. 2.16.050 General objectives. 2.16.060 Commission--Powers and duties.

There is established a department of public recreation, referred to in this chapter as "the department," to operate within the corporate limits of the city. (Ord. 18 §1, 1946).

A. The department shall be under the control and management of the public recreation commission, referred to in this chapter as "the commission," which commission shall be composed of five members who shall be appointed from time to time by the city council by a majority vote. The first members appointed under this chapter shall be appointed for the following terms of office:

1. One shall serve for a period of two years;

2. Two shall serve for a period of four years;

3. Two shall serve for a period of five years.

B. Thereafter, each member appointed shall serve in office for a term of five years, the method of appointment to remain the same. The terms of office shall not be deemed permanent. The city council may, after a due hearing, retire any member at any time if it deems that such action would be to the best interests of the department, and may appoint a successor for the unexpired term of office of such retired member. Members shall be privileged to voluntarily retire from the commission at any time. All vacancies shall be filled by majority vote of the city council. (Ord. 18 §1, 1946).

The commission shall have power to adopt bylaws, rules and regulations for the proper conduct of public recreation for the city. Within fifteen days after the appointment of the members of the commission it shall meet and appoint a temporary chairman who shall preside over such meeting. At such time, the commission shall elect by a majority vote three officers: a chairman, vice-chairman and a treasurer, which officers shall serve for periods of one year in such capacities, subject to reelection. Regular and special meetings shall at all times be open to the public. (Ord. 18 §2, 1946).

The duties of officers of the commission shall be as follows:

A. The chairman shall preside at meetings;

B. The vice-chairman shall assume duties of the chairman in his absence;

C. The treasurer shall prepare an annual report on all activities of the commission to the city council prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, which report shall include an annual departmental budget covering the anticipated revenues and expenditures of the department for each succeeding year, and the treasurer shall issue all warrants drawn against the parks, recreation and playground fund provided for in this chapter. (Ord. 18 §3, 1946).

The general objectives of the department shall be: To encourage, foster, facilitate, establish and maintain a systematized program of parks, recreation and playgrounds to be made available to residents and visitors of the city on any of the properties owned or controlled by the city, or on other properties with the consent of the owners and authorities thereof. (Ord. 18 §4, 1946).

Powers and duties of the commission shall be:

A. To establish an adequate system of parks, playgrounds, bathing facilities and any other recreation centers which it deems advisable, to equip and maintain them, and to provide adequate compensated personnel required to do so properly;

B. The commission may use for recreation purposes any public lands or buildings, or both, or school board property with consent first had from the proper authorities;

C. To acquire by gift, purchase or condemnation such real and personal property as in its judgment is deemed necessary to effect the desired objectives;

D. To employ at such times and for such periods, or on a full-time basis, as may seem necessary to the commission, a general manager or superintendent, who shall receive a monthly compensation to be fixed and determined by the commission with the knowledge and consent of the city council. The duties of such general manager or superintendent, subject to the control of the commission, shall be as follows:

1. To administer the affairs of the department as its chief administrative officer,

2. To appoint, discharge, suspend or transfer the employees of the department, other than the secretary of the department, and to issue instructions to said employees, other than the secretary,

3. To recommend to the commission prior to the beginning of each fiscal year an annual departmental budget covering the anticipated revenues and expenditures of the department, which in turn shall be submitted to the governing body of the city,

4. To exercise such other powers as may be conferred upon him by the commission;

E. To employ a secretary for the department on a full-time or part-time basis, as the commission may deem advantageous. It shall be the duty of such a secretary to keep complete reports on all meetings of the commission and perform such other duties as are delegated by the commission. The compensation of such secretary shall be fixed and determined by the commission with the knowledge and consent of the city council;

F. In general, to enter into any contracts and to do any and all things necessary and proper for the establishment, development and maintenance of a well-rounded park, recreation and playground program, but not until after such contract and such proposed work or act has been first submitted to the city council for its consideration and approval. (Ord. 18 §5, 1946).