Chapter 1.102
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD

Sections:

1.102.010    Board – Established.

1.102.020    Composition.

1.102.030    Appointment – Terms.

1.102.040    Compensation.

1.102.050    Purposes.

1.102.060    Officers, meetings, bylaws and quorum.

1.102.070    Standards.

1.102.080    Communications to city council.

1.102.010 Board – Established.

There is hereby established for the city of Wenatchee a citizens’ advisory board to be known as the parks and recreation advisory board. (Ord. 2008-27 § 1; Ord. 2006-52 § 1)

1.102.020 Composition.

The board shall consist of seven voting members and shall be made up of those individuals who have an interest in park, recreational, urban forestry, social and cultural activities and in the various park and recreational facilities as may be evidenced by their training, experience and/or actions. Membership of the board should include, if possible, both casual and organized users of the parks and recreation facilities and programs. Members of the board should be selected from as evenly dispersed geographic areas as possible. One member of the board shall be associated with or familiar with the interests of local schools. Members shall be residents of the city of Wenatchee. One city council member will serve as a nonvoting, ex officio board member. (Ord. 2006-52 § 1)

1.102.030 Appointment – Terms.

(1) All board members shall be appointed by a majority vote of the city council. All appointments and reappointments to a board position shall be in writing and signed by the mayor.

(2) The board terms and positions shall be as follows:

(a) Positions 1 and 2 shall be appointed for terms expiring December 31, 2012.

(b) Positions 3 and 4 shall be appointed for terms expiring December 31, 2009.

(c) Positions 5 and 6 shall be appointed for terms expiring December 31, 2010.

(d) Position 7 shall be appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2011.

(3) All subsequent appointments, except for vacancies, shall be for four-year terms.

(4) Vacancies occurring other than through expiration of terms shall be filled for the remainder of the term of the member being replaced.

(5) No member shall serve more than two consecutive full terms. If a member is appointed to fill an unexpired term of two years or less, that term shall not count as a full term.

(6) Members of the board shall reveal all potential conflicts of interest due to membership of or employment by other entities and shall recuse themselves from discussion and decision-making concerning issues for which a conflict exists.

(7) The position of a member shall be forfeited and become vacant upon three consecutive unexcused absences from regular board meetings.

(8) Members of the board may be removed by the mayor, with concurrence of the city council, for neglect of duty, conflict of interest, malfeasance in office or for other just cause. (Ord. 2008-27 § 2; Ord. 2006-52 § 1)

1.102.040 Compensation.

No member of the board shall receive compensation for services performed. (Ord. 2006-52 § 1)

1.102.050 Purposes.

The board shall serve the following purposes and functions:

(1) To advise and make recommendations to the mayor and the city council concerning a comprehensive parks plan for the acquisition, sale or trade of land, waterways, buildings, facilities and equipment for the development, maintenance and operation of an adequate system of public parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities of the city both within and without the city’s boundaries, in cooperation with city departments, public agencies, and the public.

(2) To advise and make recommendations to the mayor and the city council concerning a recreational program for the residents of the city, such program to include plans for utilization of all available parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities. The board shall be kept continuously informed of the conduct of the recreational programs so as to be in a position to suggest such program changes as shall be consistent with available facilities and funding.

(3) To review, modify and recommend tentative programs and budgets for all aspects of the parks and recreation facilities and recreation programs.

(4) To act as the city’s advisory board for tree issues as follows:

(a) To advise and make recommendations to the mayor and city council concerning a comprehensive community forestry work plan for the planting, care and management of trees within the corporate limits of the city.

(b) To advise and make recommendations to the mayor and city council concerning the protection and renewal of downtown street trees and pertaining to the regulation of their planting, maintenance, removal and replacement.

(c) To advise and make recommendations to the mayor, city council and city staff concerning the protection of existing downtown infrastructure by recommending new and replacement street trees which are selected to avoid conflicts with overhead wires, buildings, signs, sidewalks, curbs, and underground utilities.

(d) To provide to the city, as well as to citizens of the city, news and information regarding the selection, planting and maintenance of trees within the city, whether on public or private property, and to make recommendations from time to time to the city council as to desirable legislation concerning tree programs for the city.

(e) To provide regular and special meetings at which the subject of trees within the city may be discussed by members of the board, officers and personnel of the city, and all others interested in the tree program.

(f) Promote the local observance of Arbor Day with an official proclamation.

(5) To provide review and advisory opinions of park and recreation related proposals within the city at the request of the mayor. The board’s function for these issues will be specific to the proposal and the request for review.

(6) To perform such other functions as may be directed by the city council or mayor from time to time. (Ord. 2006-52 § 1)

1.102.060 Officers, meetings, bylaws and quorum.

(1) The board shall elect a chairperson to serve a one-year term. At the conclusion of the term, the vice chairperson assumes the position of chairperson and a new vice chairperson shall be elected. The chairperson will preside at all meetings, preserve order and decorum, enforce the rules and regulations of the board, sign all letters and documents as authorized by the board and as prescribed by law and will otherwise perform the duties devolving upon a presiding officer.

(2) The board shall also select a vice chairperson to serve a one-year term. In the event the chairperson is absent, the vice chairperson shall fill the role of chairperson.

(3) In the event that both the chairperson and vice chairperson are absent, an acting chairperson may be elected by a majority vote from the remaining board members present for the purpose of representing the board and conducting business.

(4) The board shall meet at least once per month unless the chairperson determines that no meeting is necessary. Special board meetings may be held as often as determined necessary by the board. All meetings shall be open to the public. Accurate minutes shall be kept of all meetings and they shall be made available to the public. A copy of all minutes shall be forwarded to the city council.

(5) The board may adopt bylaws, as necessary, to enable the board to more efficiently conduct business and fulfill its primary purposes. Such bylaws shall be approved by the city council.

(6) A majority of the currently appointed board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided, that a minimum of three board members are present.

(7) Board member participation in meetings via telephone conference call is allowed if the member is out of the local area and is unable to attend the meeting; and prearranges the use of telephone conference equipment and the equipment is capable of allowing each of the members participating to hear each other simultaneously. During the meeting, the chairperson shall recognize the board member(s) participating via telephone conference call by name for each of their interactions including discussions and votes. (Ord. 2008-27 § 3; Ord. 2006-52 § 1)

1.102.070 Standards.

The board shall develop and promulgate the “Standards for Trees within the City of Wenatchee.” These standards shall be maintained by the board and approved by the city council. These standards shall cover recommended tree types, recommended methods for planting, recommended criteria for tree removal/pruning, recommended alternatives to tree removal and recommended maintenance procedures. (Ord. 2006-52 § 1)

1.102.080 Communications to city council.

The board may forward communications/recommendations to the city council, which may be scheduled as council agenda items. (Ord. 2006-52 § 1)