Chapter 2.20
PARK COMMISSION
Sections:
2.20.020 Creation of board of park commissioners and eligibility.
2.20.030 Terms of commissioners – Filling vacancies.
2.20.040 Officers of the board – Meeting – Quorum.
2.20.050 Powers and duties of the board.
2.20.060 Rules and regulations.
2.20.070 Appointment and duties of superintendent.
2.20.010 Definitions.
The words used shall have the following meaning:
(1) “Park” means an area of land with or without water, developed and used for public recreational purposes, including landscape tracts, picnic grounds, playgrounds, athletic fields, recreation centers, camps, foot, bicycle and bridlepaths, motor vehicle drives, wild gardens, facilities for bathing, boating, hunting, and fishing, as well as other recreational facilities for the use and benefit of the public.
(2) “Board” means board of park commissioners. (Ord. 290 § 1, 1986)
2.20.020 Creation of board of park commissioners and eligibility.
There is hereby created a board of park commissioners consisting of five members who shall be appointed by the mayor, with the consent of the city council, from citizens of recognized fitness for such position. No commissioner shall receive any compensation for his or her services. (Ord. 586 § 1, 2011; Ord. 290 § 2, 1986)
2.20.030 Terms of commissioners – Filling vacancies.
(1) Commissioners shall, after appointment, determine by lot whose term of officer shall expire in one, two, three, and four years respectively, and their terms shall begin after their appointment has been approved by the city council, effective July 1, 1984. Thereafter terms of office shall begin on the first Monday in June, and at the expiration of each commissioner’s term, the mayor shall appoint, with the consent of the city council, one member for a two-year term.
(2) Members of the board may be removed at any time by the mayor and vacancies for the remainder of unexpired terms shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointments are made.
(3) Three unexcused absences in a row from scheduled monthly meetings by a commissioner will be considered as a formal resignation. This vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointments are made. Excuses for absences may be approved by the president, the mayor, or by vote of the board. (Ord. 290 § 3, 1986)
2.20.040 Officers of the board – Meeting – Quorum.
Immediately after their appointment members of the board shall meet and organize by electing from the members of the board a president, vice president, a secretary and such other officers as may be necessary. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meetings and proceedings of the board. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and a simple majority vote shall be necessary to carry any proposition. A meeting of the board shall be held at least once a month. (Ord. 290 § 4, 1986)
2.20.050 Powers and duties of the board.
The board thus constituted shall have all powers and perform all the duties as provided by the laws of the state of Washington relating to boards of park commissioners of noncharter code cities. The board shall have the power to conduct any form of recreation or cultural activity that will employ the leisure time of the people in a constructive and wholesome manner and shall have control and supervision of all parks belonging to said city and may plan, promote, manage and acquire, construct, develop, maintain and operate either within or without the city parks, squares, parkways and boulevards, play and recreational grounds and other municipally-owned recreational facilities including community buildings and improve and ornament the same, enter into any contract, in writing, act dependently or in conjunction with the United States, the state of Washington, any county, city, or town, park district, school district or any such public organizations for the purpose of conducting a recreation program, or exercising any other power granted by this chapter, exercise censorship over any statuary, monuments or works of art presented to the city. The board may also solicit or receive on behalf of the city council any gifts or bequests of money, or other personal property, or any donation to be applied, principal or income, for either temporary or permanent use for playgrounds, parks, or other recreational purposes. Powers of said board include the authority to grant concessions and privileges hereunder under such restrictions and for such compensation as it shall prescribe, the revenue from which shall be used for park purposes; provided, that no concession or privilege shall ever be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors, beer or wine in any public park and that no concession or privilege shall be granted for a period of more than three years, unless approved by ordinance. The board shall have no power to acquire land or property or to accept gifts of real or personal property without the approval of the city council and any property shall be in the name of the city. (Ord. 290 § 5, 1986)
2.20.060 Rules and regulations.
The board shall have the power to fix charges for the use of any municipally owned or controlled park or recreation facility, excluding leased property. The board shall also have the power to propose rules and regulations to the city council. (Ord. 290 § 6, 1986)
2.20.070 Appointment and duties of superintendent.
The mayor shall have the power to appoint a superintendent who is the best trained and qualified person available therefor. The park superintendent under the direction of the board will have the management of the park and playground system and the appointment and supervision of employees thereof for the efficient administration, construction and development of the public park and recreation system. Such superintendent may be the executive officer of the board and shall have power and duties as prescribed by the board and such other duties and powers as may, from time to time, be imposed or conferred upon him/her by law or ordinance. (Ord. 290 § 7, 1986)
2.20.080 Park budget.
Annually the board may submit a budget to the governing body of the city on or before the second Monday in September for its approval. (Ord. 290 § 8, 1986)